Reports: LeBron James might request trade from LA Lakers if it was plausible, says NBA insider

LeBron James might request a trade from the LA Lakers if the team doesn't improve. The Lakers won it all in 2020, but have been very disappointing ever since.

James is in his 20th season and recently turned 38. While he's still one of the best players in the league, it looks like he's wasting the final years of his career playing for a team that may not even make the playoffs.

Despite winning three straight games, the Lakers are still in 12th place in the Western Conference. If they want to make the playoffs, they will have to be healthy and go on a big win streak.

LeBron James might want to leave LA Lakers

LeBron signed an extension with the Lakers during the offseason, which is why he has two more years left on his contract. He is paid almost $44.5 million this year, and the extension kicks in with the 2023-24 season.

Thanks to the extension, the 18-time All-Star will receive $46.9 million for his services next year. As for the 2024-25 season, LeBron doesn't have to worry about it since he has a player option on his contract.

Barring any trades, LeBron will remain a Laker until the summer of 2024. However, Ethan Skolnick believes that James might be pushing for a trade.

“I honestly believe that if he could be traded before the trade deadline, which he can’t be, he might be pushing for that behind the scenes right now,” Skolnick said.

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"He should be finishing his career in a place like Cleveland or Miami…and try to finish up and win there," Skolnick added.

It's important to note that James does not have a no-trade clause in his contract since he signed an extension. However, he does have a 15% trade kicker, which is why the Lakers may not be willing to move him.

LeBron is having another fantastic year

Even in his 20th season in the NBA, LeBron James is still incredible. He's appeared in 29 games for the LA Lakers this season, averaging 29.0 points per game, while also being a fantastic rebounder and a playmaker.

Despite a slow start to the season, the four-time MVP is shooting 51.0% from the field, although his 3-point percentage has gone all the way down to 30.1%.

James is having another great year with the Lakers .

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While James has a lot of critics, it's important to note that he's never quit on his team and has never requested a trade in his 20-year career. Unfortunately, declining his player option in 2024 might be LeBron's only way out of Los Angeles.