In the aftermath of the shocking trade that sent superstar Luka Doncic to the Lakers, the overwhelming response from NBA players is that no one is above being moved. While mostly true, there is a select group of players in league history who have full control of whether they can be traded.
Doncic’s Lakers teammate, LeBron James, is one of just a few players in NBA history who has control over trades due to a no-trade clause in his contract. James has never been involved in an in-season trade in his career and, thanks to the provision in his latest Lakers contract, will have the final say on whether that will ever be the case.
What is a no-trade clause? Here is more on James’ rare contract clause and what that could mean in the aftermath of L.A. pulling off one of the most surprising deals in league history.
MORE LUKA DONCIC TRADE NEWS:
Does LeBron James have a no-trade clause?
As part of the contract signed with the Lakers in 2024, James has a no-trade clause that gives him the power to veto any trade he is involved in.
The franchise has long maintained that it would not trade James without his clearance but due to the provision, L.A. is contractually obligated to get James to OK any potential deal.
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LeBron James no-trade clause, explained
In the NBA, a no-trade provision is a rare one that a short list of players have received. Specific to James, the provision does not complicate potential transactions because he would likely be consulted in deals anyway.
If James is indeed dealt, it would mean he waived the clause, signed off on the trade, and is happy with his next destination. James intends to remain with the Lakers past the trade deadline, per NBA insider Chris Haynes.
Sources: LeBron James intends to remain a member of the Lakers past the Feb. 6 trade deadline, and the relationships behind the blockbuster Luka-AD deal. #haynesbriefs https://t.co/X7H7eQE347 pic.twitter.com/uMTEMUYbDX
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 2, 2025
What is a no-trade clause in the NBA?
If a player has a no-trade clause in their contract, they have the right to veto any trade in which they are involved.
Here is how the eligibility for no-trade clauses is explained in the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NBA and the NBA Players Association.
A Player Contract entered into by a player who has eight (8) or more Years of Service in the NBA and who has rendered four (4) or more Years of Service for the Team entering into such Contract may contain a prohibition or limitation of such Team’s right to trade such Contract to another NBA Team.
James is in his seventh season with the Lakers and has played 22 NBA seasons, meaning he met the requirements needed to include a no-trade clause in his contract.
He is one of two active players in the NBA players with a no-trade clause in their contract, the other being Suns guard Bradley Beal, who received the clause in a contract signed with the Wizards.
LeBron James contract details
James signed a two-year maximum contract worth $101.4 million with the Lakers during the 2024 offseason. He has a player option for the 2025-26 season.
In addition to the no-trade provision, here are the financial terms of his deal:
| Season | Salary | Age |
| 2024-25 | $48,728,845 | 40 |
| 2025-26 | $52,627,153 (Player option) | 41 |
History of NBA players with a no-trade clause
Including James, the list of players who have ever had a no-trade clause is a who’s who of some of the NBA’s all-time greats. He is the only player to receive such a clause in two separate contracts.
- Carmelo Anthony
- Bradley Beal
- Kobe Bryant
- Tim Duncan
- Kevin Garnett
- LeBron James
- Dirk Nowitzki
- David Robinson
- John Stockton
- Dwyane Wade
