Los Angeles Lakers have been forced into LeBron James trade decision

The Los Angeles Lakers will not be able to trade LeBron James until next year even if they wanted to move on from the four-time NBA champion amid a horrendous start to the campaign. In the offseason, James agreed to a two-year extension worth $97.1million (£83.9m) that includes a player option for the 2024/25 NBA season.The Lakers have gotten out to a slow start in the 2022/23 season, losing their first four games. With both James and Anthony Davis healthy and under contract beyond the current campaign, many believe the Lakers could try to make a move to improve their roster in order to contend this season.It’s certainly a bold claim to suggest that the Lakers should consider trading James just three games into the new season – but there is some merit to it considering how their roster is constructed. Los Angeles currently lacks the guard play and outside shooting to be a real contender in the Western Conference.The Lakers are shooting a horrendous 21.2% from beyond the arc this season – the worst in the NBA – with Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, Lonnie Walker IV and Westbrook all struggling. The team needs shooters to surround James with the pieces required to best position the franchise to win an NBA title. READ MORE: Brooklyn Nets flop Ben Simmons slammed after spluttering NBA return LeBron James signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him in Los Angeles for the moment (Image: GETTY)If the team isn’t contending, it could prove to be difficult to trade James. While the three-time MVP is ineligible for a no-trade clause because he agreed an extension rather than a new deal, the deal includes a 15% trade kicker – so any pursuing team would have to pay James 15% of his salary in order to facilitate the trade. This clause will undoubtedly scare off any potentially interested teams, essentially meaning the Lakers are stuck with James even if they wanted to move him. Trading the iconic forward would be a drastic shift in the franchise’s plans for the current season, but it could make sense if the Lakers get deeper into the season and still aren’t competing for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.The Lakers missed the playoffs last season, partly because James and star teammate Davis both missed time with injuries. With James under contract for the 2023/24 campaign and balling as he averages 25.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per contest, there certainly would be a ton of interest league wide if he suddenly became available.DON’T MISSMagic Johnson aims playful dig at NBA icons Jordan and CurryNBA legend claims league will need to change rules due to Steph CurryKarl-Anthony Towns calls out teammate over love of junk food LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are winless after four matches to open the new NBA season (Image: GETTY)