A French international player has put the NBA world into a trance. So much so that they were willing to say LeBron James was no longer untouchable in a potential trade. The 2023 draft prospects have everyone zooming in on the young sensation Victor Wembanyama. Even LeBron James is a fan of the 18-year-old.
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James recently praised Wembanyama’s fluid and graceful movements. He said that for the past two years, everyone was a unicorn, but Wembanyama is “like an alien”. His performances on the court have been garnering many positive reactions. Wembanyama stands as a strong contender for the number one draft pick.
With all this hype around the player, The Athletic asked NBA executives which players were non-negotiable in potential trades to land Wembanyama. It seems even Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James isn’t untouchable.
Western Conference executive says LeBron James is not untouchable in a Victor Wembanyama trade: https://t.co/jl5n6czJjy
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) October 19, 2022
The executive listed Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, and Nikola Jokic as players that they were not willing to trade-off.
NBA fans respond to LeBron James trade rumor
Fans went berserk after hearing this. They were shocked to learn that James could be moved around. He is undoubtedly considered to be one the greatest to ever grace the basketball court.
Here are some of the reactions on NBA Twitter:
Lmaooo. It would be the steal of a lifetime. Not even 2K logic would allow such nonsense
— GoofyNinja (@RealGoofyNinja) October 19, 2022
Don’t think the lakers are trading LeBron for the #1 pick I just don’t understand how that would make any sense… if you’ve got top pick you’re too far from a chip for LeBron
— Pistol Pete⏱ (@PeteOfTheMoment) October 20, 2022
Lebron will retire before getting traded .
— lame dude (@lamedude6969) October 19, 2022
Hhhhh, imagine trading LeBron 😂😂 you would be out of your mind
— Devu (@SimbaTeri) October 19, 2022
Age could be a primary reason for this, as James is already into his 20th season in the NBA. James is well known for his athleticism and longevity. Age has never been a hindrance for the four-time NBA champion, as he has kept belting out points season after season. In fact, LeBron James is expected to overtake Kareem Abdul-Jabbar sometime this season to become the all-time leading points scorer in NBA history.
Fans also pointed out that his teammate Anthony Davis was “already a fragile big man”.
We already have a fragile big man https://t.co/eNtUn71oGS
— Alex (@AlexSPRV) October 19, 2022
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Davis’ many health concerns have nagged him and the team since he joined the purple and gold in 2019.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 25, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) looks for a foul call from the official in the first half of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Victor Wembanyama could change the NBA forever once he joins the league. Such are the expectations on his shoulders from fans, analysts, and current NBA greats.
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What did you make of the executive’s comments? Is LeBron James untouchable? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
