Speculate about whether LeBron James ESPN’s Brian Windhorst says it’s a “fun parlor game” to maybe change teams again, but little more than that (insider link).

As Windhorst explains, despite LakersJames has made it clear both publicly and privately this season and over the past few years that he wants to stay with the team due to the ups and downs of play. When the Warriors expressed interest in him at the deadline last season, he had an opportunity to push for a trade, and he could have considered a change of scenery as a free agent in the summer. However, in both cases he had no interest in leaving the Lakers and, according to Windhorst, nothing has changed.

“The Lakers or any team that might want to trade for him actually has no say in the matter.” a league executive told ESPN. “He has a no-trade clause. Unless he goes in and tells (Lakers owner) Jeanie (Buss) He wants to leave, it’s not even a discussion.”

James’ position means the Lakers’ priority on the trade market is to improve the roster around LeBron and Anthony Davis. As Tim Bontemps notes in the same ESPN story, it could take two separate trades for the club to address its roster issues – rival scouts and executives believe Los Angeles wants to add both a point guard and a big man, Bontemps says .

We have more on the Lakers:

• The Lakers and wizard have held preliminary discussions about the possibility of one Jonas Valanciunas Trade and league sources are expecting the director of basketball operations Rob Pelinka to intensify those talks once Valanciunas officially becomes trade-eligible on Sunday, Anthony Irwin of Clutch Points reports. According to Irwin, the expectation is that the Lakers will make an offer Gabe Vincent and several second-round draft picks, perhaps along with one of their minimum-salary players for financial reasons. David Aldridge and Josh Robbins of The Athletic reported Thursday that the Wizards “strongly believe” they want to keep their veterans, including Valanciunas, for as long as possible because of their positive influence on the team’s youth players.
• The Lakers have had internal discussions about the idea of ​​signing a free agent point guard Markelle Fultzsaid Irwin, who suggests Fultz could provide depth in the backcourt if the team moves D’Angelo Russell and/or Vincent. Given LA’s current position relative to the second team, as well as its full 15-man roster, signing Fultz wouldn’t be a viable option until the club makes at least one move on the trade market.
• The front office has been unwilling to provide protection in recent transaction windows Austin Reaves available in trade talks, and The Athletic’s Sam Amick said during an appearance on Buha’s Block with Jovan Buha (YouTube link) that there is no sign the stance has changed. “They were very cautious, especially when it came to Austin Reaves, who I’m highlighting only because he’s a good, young player with a very team-friendly contract that would inspire other teams to come along in terms of negotiations.” Amick said (hat tip to Bleacher Report). “But as far as I know, that’s still a non-starter.”
• ESPN’s Dave McMenamin takes a look at three reasons why the Lakers have lost seven of 10 games since their 10-4 start, including inconsistency and poor defensive play. An Eastern Conference executive told McMenamin that he doesn’t believe the Lakers have the personnel to be a good defensive team, while an Eastern Conference scout said the club desperately needs a good three-point attacking defenseman can do. “Honestly, they need what everyone wants.” a Western Conference scout told ESPN. “It’s this versatile wing defender who can defend two to four and then form an open three. Your Mikal Bridgesyour OG Anunobythese types of players. And these types, either: First, are not available; or two, when they are available, they are not cheap but expensive. Everyone in the NBA wants guys like that.”