NBA rumors: LeBron James could ask for trade if Lakers miss on roster moves originally appeared on nbcsportsbayarea.com LeBron James' first run at dethroning the Warriors from the top of the Western Conference didn't go as planned, and he might not be long for life in Los Angeles. James' Lakers got off to a decent start through the first two months of the 2018-19 season, but they fell apart after the star injured his groin on Christmas Day against the Warriors, causing James to miss the playoffs for the first time since his second year in the NBA.