LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 24: Former Los Angeles Lakers player Shaquille O'Neal speaks after unveiling of his statue at Staples Center March 24, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)The thought of the Lakers trading LeBron James didn’t seem real a few months ago. Now, however, it sounds like a legitimate possibility.
With the Lakers struggling mightily and rumors circulating about James being unhappy with the front office, it wouldn’t be that crazy to see the four-time NBA champion on the move this offseason.
In an interview with CNBC this week, Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal discussed the team’s struggles this season
“When you put together talented team or a perceived talented team, they expect you do to well. Lakers expect you to win, Boston expects you to win, Miami expects you to win, New York always expects you to win. The Lakers aren’t even in the playoffs right now. It’s just the trails and tribulations of being a great player.
O’Neal then made it clear that he doesn’t think the Lakers should entertain the idea of trading James.
“If you trade LeBron, you’ll never win again,” O’Neal declared. “If you put LeBron around the right guys, they are definitely going to win. I think whoever put the team together needs to step up and try and fix it.”
Shaq on the future of the Lakers
"If you trade LeBron, you'll never win again." https://t.co/EulBlkK1VK
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 28, 2022
This season is going down as one to forget for the Lakers, but there’s no question that James can still perform at an elite level.
So far this season, James is averaging 29.0 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per contest. That’s absurd production for a 37-year-old forward.
If the Lakers choose to move on from James, it’s a move that’ll undoubtedly shake up the league.
