Los Angeles Lakers entered 2026 with real doubts about their title chances. Even with a solid 20 wins, every one of their 11 losses was by more than 10 points, which has fans worried. Then the Detroit Pistons added to the concern by beating them by 22 on LeBron James’ 41st birthday.
Given the outcome, James’ inner circle just called for the unthinkable. Anthony Abdul Alcindor, aka @CuffsTheLegend on social media, dropped a two-word bomb on New Year’s Day that sent folks into a frenzy.
LeBron James’ Friend Argues Lakers Must Trade Him to Fix the Roster
Cuffs used sarcasm to criticize Lakers’ brass for doing nothing while LeBron’s chance to win is running out.
He took to X and wrote, “Trade LeBron,” without adding any context but replying to a fan comment that read, “What moves would you make for the Lakers?”
Trade LeBron https://t.co/kIXIqHQmSX
— 73-9 and THEY LIED (@CuffsTheLegend) January 2, 2026
Not surprisingly, it was a reflection of his frustration that was boiling over about an uneven supporting cast around his friend. Cuffs isn’t some random hater. He’s a vocal sports media personality with serious reach.
It seems that many feel similar to him, as the Lakers suffered a 128-106 blowout loss to the Pistons, where the 41-year-old King sat helplessly on the bench during garbage time.
However, he isn’t the first to float LeBron trade talk this season. Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague suggested the Lakers send LeBron back to Cleveland for Jarrett Allen and DeAndre Hunter.
Last summer, fans speculated LeBron would move elsewhere because his chemistry with Luka Dončić seemed sour. But he remained with the purple and gold. Many think that, due to Bronny James, he likely made that forced decision.
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And now, in the middle of this season, nearly everyone wants Bron to move before the trade deadline. LeBron’s agent Rich Paul added fuel to the active gasoline atmosphere on “Game Over” podcast. When asked about facilitating a trade to New York, Paul didn’t shut it down.
Rich Paul: “We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career.” https://t.co/cysMmAAhTv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 29, 2025
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career,” Paul said.
However, LeBron’s friend’s trade discussion has received different reactions online.
Fans Split on Whether LeBron Should Force His Way Out
Social media exploded shortly after Cuffs’ tweet dropped. Lakers fans immediately divided into two camps, where one party wants LeBron ring-chasing and another party views any trade talk as disloyal.
One fan clarified, “Yall do know Cuffs a Bron fan right? Everybody in these comments got it confused. He wants Bron to go to a different team to win, Lakers FO is trash!”
Another echoed the ring-chase sentiment, penning, “Bron needa get his ass outta there and ring chase for his final year, not trynna see him end with 4 bruh.”
A third fan proposed a Warriors reunion, adding, “Nah bron need to do what’s best for him man if warriors get ad man bron to warriors with em fuk it.”
The fourth explained the conflicted loyalty, noting, “Lmao ppl acting shocked every LeBron fans hated the day he signs with lakers we just support bro.”
But reality check came from a fifth fan who remarked, “Brother have you seen top teams in the west lol nothing saving the lakers….”
Following the Pistons’ defeat, LeBron supporters want him to prioritize legacy over franchise loyalty. His friend also wants him to move instead of watching the Lakers waste his final elite seasons. But because LeBron has a no-trade clause, any move is entirely up to him — not the franchise.
