James' rival joins the Purple and Gold? Team insider reveals latest negotiations: Lakers have been inquiring about Stewart

On June 21, Beijing time, according to Lakers reporter Anthony F. Irwin, sources indicate that the Lakers are simultaneously negotiating with the Bucks and the Pistons. James' "enemy" Stewart might end up with the Lakers.

Irwin added: "Regarding the Pistons side, the Lakers have been making inquiries about Isaiah Stewart, probing Detroit's willingness to deal him and the minimum trade compensation they'd accept. The key context is that if the Pistons participate in a major trade and acquire Tyler Herro, their total payroll would balloon significantly, leaving them without enough cap space to keep both Duren and Stewart. That's the core reason the Lakers keep talking to Detroit about Stewart."

Irwin continued: "Now, on the Bucks side, there are rumors of a major multi-team trade centered on Giannis Antetokounmpo being moved to the Miami Heat, with the Lakers also involved. From what I've learned, the Lakers have contacted the Bucks, planning to use their cap space as a third-party facilitator to help complete the deal. Two possible scenarios exist: first, taking on an overpriced contract in exchange for extra draft picks; second, using their own draft assets to intercept a player originally going from Miami to Milwaukee, rerouting the trade flow. How this plan ultimately comes together remains uncertain."

On November 22, 2021, during a Lakers-Pistons game, in the third quarter while Grant was shooting free throws, Stewart and James got entangled while jostling for rebounding position under the basket. Stewart shoved hard during the battle for positioning, and as James turned to break free, his elbow struck Stewart's right eyebrow, opening a wound that bled profusely and later required five stitches.

After getting up, Stewart was furious, breaking free from multiple restrainers three times to charge at James. On-site security, players from both teams, and coaches all intervened to prevent the fight from escalating, as the scene nearly spiraled out of control. After reviewing the footage, officials ruled James' foul a flagrant 2, resulting in an immediate ejection. Stewart received two technical fouls for his repeated provocations and was also ejected.

The league issued fines the next day: James was suspended for one game, costing him $280,000 in salary; Stewart was suspended for two games. The two had vastly different views on the incident afterward. James repeatedly stated it was purely accidental and wanted to apologize privately. Stewart, after watching the replay, insisted the move was not unintentional and could never get over the injury and conflict, thus establishing a lasting feud between them on the court.