Report: LeBron James, Anthony Davis Want Lakers To Acquire ‘Another Elite Player’

According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, LeBron James and Anthony Davis want the Los Angeles Lakers to acquire “another elite player.”

The Lakers can trade up to three first-round picks along with whatever players they choose in the 2024 NBA Draft in a trade.

“James has the leverage that comes with his forthcoming free agency, as he has until Saturday to decide whether to pick up his $51.4 million player option or opt out and sign a new deal (with the Lakers or elsewhere),” Amick wrote. “Davis, meanwhile, has the organizational capital that comes with being a 31-year-old, nine-time All-Star who is signed through the 2027-28 season. And if the franchise cornerstones had their way, league sources say, the Lakers would prove their desire to win this week by going all-in for another elite player.”

The Lakers have been linked to Dejounte Murray, Trae Young, Darius Garland, Jerami Grant and Donovan Mitchell. Murray, Garland, Grant, LeBron and Davis have the same agent (Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group).

Mitchell is expected to sign a four-year extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers this offseason. 

The Lakers hired former NBA guard JJ Redick as their new head coach. The leading scorer in NBA history, LeBron wasn’t involved in LA’s coaching search and has not given the franchise any indication about what he will do this offseason. The King can become an unrestricted free agent by declining his 2024-25 player option. 

LeBron and Davis have been teammates since 2019-20. The Lakers won the 2020 title, lost in the first round of the 2021 playoffs, missed the 2022 playoffs, lost in the 2023 Western Conference Finals and lost in the first round of this year’s postseason. 

According to Amick, Shams Charania and Jovan Buha, Redick is focused on elevating Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron’s workload. LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 next season.