Lakers reportedly don't intend to trade LeBron James prior to NBA trade deadline

Story byLakers reportedly not expected to trade LeBron James prior to NBA trade deadlineLos Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dribbles the ball up court against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)Jason OwensStaff writerWed, February 4, 2026 at 1:42 AM UTC·2 min read

LeBron James apparently is not on the move.

The Los Angeles Lakers aren't expected to trade James ahead of Thursday's NBA trade deadline, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reports. James is expected to finish the season with the team. The news broke as James and the Lakers faced the Nets in Brooklyn Tuesday night.

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It's not clear from the report if it's the Lakers or James or both who have decided to move forward together. James has a no-trade clause and could veto a trade to any team.

Teams including the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors all reportedly had interest in pursuing James. And the Cavaliers reportedly acquired James Harden from the Clippers in exchange for Darius Garland earlier Tuesday.

But the Cavaliers and others will apparently have to look elsewhere than James in an effort to upgrade their rosters.

News that James is expected to remain a Laker arrived as Austin Reaves returned to the lineup against Brooklyn from a calf injury that sidelined him for 19 games. Reaves is having a breakout season and was integral in a 15-4 start that had the Lakers near the top of the Western Conference.

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With Reaves back, the Lakers now have their Big 3 of James, Reaves and Luka Dončić healthy amid a season in which each has faced extended injury absences. The Lakers have remained competitive in the West despite those injuries with a 29-19 record prior to Tuesday's game. It makes sense that they'd like to play this season out with their current core intact.

But the roster as constructed has glaring defensive deficiencies that project to thwart any realistic hopes of the Lakers competing for an NBA championship. Dončić, Reaves and James at 41 years old are all below-average defenders, and the Lakers entered Tuesday night ranked 25th in the league in defensive rating.

They're not likely to get past Western Conference contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs playing that kind of defense. It also appears unlikely that they'd be able to acquire a difference-making defender ahead of Thursday's deadline if they're not willing to part with James or another significant roster piece.

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