Report: LeBron James not leaving Lakers; L.A. active in trade market

New reports indicate LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers and what the plans are in the trade market.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a murky situation after a poor 16-16 start to the season.

The season has been mired in injuries and, recently, the NBA’s health and safety protocol. The Lakers had up to seven players in the protocol, and head coach Frank Vogel and assistant coach Phil Handy are also out because of it.

Los Angeles built a three-game winning streak after hovering at .500, but have fallen apart, and the noise around LeBron James’ future in L.A. has started.

However, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic in an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, James is not leaving, but L.A. is certainly browsing the trade market for upgrades:

Charania mentioned Ben Simmons and Jerami Grant as two players the Lakers would like to have, which has been reported.

The Lakers just don’t have many trade assets after acquiring Russell Westbrook over the summer. Talen Horton-Tucker and Kendrick Nunn are the only players not on minimum contracts that could be used to enhance the roster, but that would largely depend on how other front offices view them.

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