LeBron James of Los Angeles Lakers looking on.LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 07: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on in the third quarter against the LA Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on January 07, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly shopping superstar LeBron James ahead of next Thursday’s NBA trade deadline.

According to a report from David Pingalor of KTLA Sports in Los Angeles, the Lakers are shopping the 39-year-old James with the deadline right around the corner. Pingalor even added that Lakers GM Rob Pelinka “is close to a suitor.”

One year after a surprise run to the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers have been among basketball’s biggest disappointments in 2023-24. Thursday’s giant upset road win over the NBA-leading Boston Celtics (without James and Davis) only moved Los Angeles to 25-25 with 32 games to go.

James does not have a no-trade clause in his deal, so the Lakers could trade the four-time NBA Champion without seeking his approval. Of course, trading James would all but close the Lakers’ championship window and cost the team plenty more in ticket/merchandise sales, TV ratings and global exposure.

The future Hall of Famer has never been traded in his career. When it has come to changing teams, he has always done so in free agency (2010 with Miami, 2014 with Cleveland, 2018 with the Lakers).

James is averaging 24.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game for the Lakers this season.