While many initially felt the Los Angeles Lakers trading star forward LeBron James would be out of the question, one expert now feels the door is beginning to open for his eventual departure from Hollywood.

Even ESPN's Brian Windhorst didn't think it a possibility ... at least until Wednesday morning, when he conceded that it could actually happen, contrary to his initial thought. Speaking on First Take, Windhorst said he initially "slammed the door" on the idea of trade, but has "unlocked the door" as of late.

James holds a no-trade clause, which gives him a significant level of control over the situation should the parties decide to explore a trade. “I would say that’s uncertain,”