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Eric Moody
LeBron James isn’t just one of the greatest basketball players of all time — he’s a generational force and an icon whose impact transcends eras. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer, James has already surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar by over 3,000 points, and he continues to climb the all-time leaderboards: No. 4 in assists, No. 6 in steals, No. 7 in 3-pointers made and No. 26 in rebounds.
His legacy is undeniable.
But in fantasy basketball, legacy doesn’t win championship; production does. LeBron is still producing at a substantial rate this season, but what about next season and beyond? And is now the time to trade him in fantasy?
LeBron’s current fantasy value
Even in his 22nd season, which ties Vince Carter for the longest career in NBA history, LeBron remains an elite fantasy asset. In fact, he enters Saturday ranked No. 15 on the ESPN Player Rater. If he continues playing beyond this year, he will set a record for longevity, further cementing his place in basketball history.
Despite turning 40 in December, James is still producing at a high level offensively. Through 43 games played this season, he is averaging 48.7 fantasy points per game while logging 34.6 minutes per contest. His all-around brilliance scoring, rebounding and facilitating makes him an incredibly reliable fantasy asset. And for a player who was drafted near the end of Round 2 or early Round 3 in most leagues this season, James has more than exceeded expectations.
Not only does LeBron continue to score (23.8 PPG), he is managing to do so efficiently, shooting 51.2% overall while posting his highest free-throw percentage (77.3%) since 2013-14 and the third-best 3-point percentage of his career (37.9%).
If there’s a concern, it would be the threat of load management.
While James played 71 games in 2023-24 and has appeared in 43 of the Lakers’ 46 games so far this season, last season was his first time playing at least 70 games in a season since way back in 2017-18. As he continues to defy Father Time, scheduled rest days will be a factor, especially in back-to-backs. Fantasy managers must be strategic in managing their rosters to account for potential absences.
Redraft vs. Keeper/Dynasty: What Is LeBron’s true value in each league?
Fantasy basketball managers generally should be more concerned about LeBron’s age and potential decline — or retirement — in keeper leagues than in redraft leagues.
Redraft leagues: Since these leagues reset every year, managers are mostly focused on LeBron’s short-term production. While some might worry about him missing games due to rest or injury, as long as James remains a top-tier contributor, he’ll still be valuable. His per-game production is still elite, so the main concern here is availability rather than long-term decline.
Keeper/Dynasty leagues: In these formats, LeBron’s age is a much bigger factor. His long-term value is uncertain, and managers might hesitate to keep or trade for him knowing that his production could drop sharply or he could retire within the next few years. In dynasty leagues, younger stars with long-term upside are typically more valuable than aging superstars, making LeBron a risky asset.
Your decision ultimately depends on where your team stands. If you’re competing for a title, LeBron’s production is invaluable, but his potential rest days could pose challenges. Savvy managers should prepare by stashing high-upside waiver wire players as a contingency plan. If you’re rebuilding in dynasty or keeper formats, trading him is an option, but only if the return is worth it. Moving him just for the sake of it is a mistake.
So when you should trade him?
LeBron’s name alone carries immense weight in fantasy circles — and for good reason. In redraft leagues, his production has fully justified his ADP. However, in dynasty formats and keeper leagues, name value doesn’t always translate to high trade value.
The perception of an aging player often outweighs his actual contributions. While James remains a top-15 fantasy player this season, many managers will be hesitant to trade for him due to concerns about long-term decline. In many leagues, his market value isn’t as strong as his numbers suggest.
Final verdict: Should you trade LeBron?
Not unless the return justifies it. While his age might temper his trade market, his elite production remains undeniable. Some managers are constantly chasing the next breakout star, but the reality is that true superstars are rare.
Whether your team is contending or rebuilding, LeBron can still be a game-changer in 2025 and beyond. If you keep him, you’re holding onto a proven, high-floor fantasy contributor. If you trade him, make sure the return reflects his immense value, because even at age 40, James continues to defy expectations and rewrite history.