ESPN Insider Explains Why LeBron James Trade Market is Low

LeBron James opted into his 52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season with the Lakers but has 0 interest from the NBA teams per reports.

ESPN Insider Explains Why LeBron James Trade Market is Low

LeBron James (Image by FirstSportz)

LeBron James first hinted at his impending comeback a few weeks ago when he posted a mysterious retirement message on X. James made the shocking news that he would return for his 23rd NBA season on social media shortly after the post. Now, he took it up a notch by opting into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025–26 season, as reported by Shams Charania.

The decision, while not surprising, comes as it is increasingly acknowledged that a deal for the 40-year-old great is quite unlikely. NBA experts Bobby Marks and Brian Windhorst talked about if there is a market for LeBron in a trade on ESPN’s Get Up. The solution? Definitely not. From the NBA franchise’s part, it seems a right decision.

To be sensitive to LeBron, who’s considered one of the greatest of all time — there isn’t. He’s making $53 million, he’s 40, and teams aren’t willing to give up four or five players for one season of LeBron.

Bobby Marks said

Even his local team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, would have to give up a sizable chunk of their roster—possibly six players—to acquire him, according to Marks, which is not a smart business move.
But Marks added that if LeBron were to be bought out and become a free agent, things might change drastically.

Even while a trade seems less likely, it’s still unclear if LeBron will play out his Hall of Fame career in Los Angeles or look for a new chapter elsewhere. Also, maybe with his son, Bronny James, whom the Lakers recently selected.

However, James also faces the pressure of calling it quits on the sport from his better half, Savannah James. As per reports, Savannah is stressing James to retire in a year or two. Hence, it will be interesting to watch how this situation unfolds.

LeBron James made a surprising retirement revelation at a dinner event

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Savannah has reportedly said in private that she wanted the Lakers star to consider leaving the game as soon as possible. During a recent dinner in New York City with close friends, including Miami Heat star Kevin Love and their wife, one of the attendees shared an unedited video on Instagram.

Savannah wants me to f****** retire in a year or so.

LeBron James said at the dinner event

James may carry on his 20-year streak of being named an All-NBA and All-Star. He had 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists in the previous season. He still plays at such an outstanding level that it seems doubtful that he will quit, even with the enormous numbers on his body. Savannah, his wife, appears to have reached her breaking point, though.

With James always tending towards his family for support or any decision making, Savannah will play an important role in his retirement. For now, the star will play year 23 as an NBA professional, but for how long is the main question?

LeBron James to the Knicks would be an interesting trade as per an NBA insider

LeBron James is expected to play for the New York Knicks to end his NBA career, according to a movie script. It is believed that if James is unhappy with the way the rest of the Lakers’ offseason unfolds, he may at least ask for a trade. In addition, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz ranked the New York Knicks as the team that would be first on his list of potential destinations should James decide to hit the trade block.

The Knicks were just two games away from reaching the NBA Finals this past season, have enough trade chips to send to the Los Angeles Lakers while keeping most of their core in place… James has gone on record saying that he’s considered playing for the Knicks as a free agent earlier in his career.

Greg Swartz said
LeBron James
LeBron James (Credits: MARCA)

Notably, James and the Knicks have a history together that includes a botched trade attempt. The Knicks were determined to sign James as he had left the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018, but the King chose to head to the West and join the Los Angeles Lakers. Now that he has exercised his player option, seven years later, it appears the Knicks will try to sign him.

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