RealGM

**Disclaimer, I don't think LeBron will be traded/play anywhere else**

So if the vague rumor that LeBron is seeking to go to a better immediate situation is true, perhaps he actually wants to play a season with CP3 before he retires, etc here is the scenario:

Suns trade Beal, Richards, Dunn, Maluach, Allen, Suns '28(like 4th on a list of swaps)
get: LeBron, Vando, Bronny
-also sign CP3
Rationale here is simple. best chance at a ring. Also bonus point if LeBron can do what KD couldn't. Ironically, LeBron does the one thing that this team needs that KD doesn't do -- playmake.
Williams/Hayes(assumed signing)
LeBron/Vando*
Brooks/Royce*
Booker/Martin*/Bronny
Green/Paul(assumed signing)
*one of these guys probably has to be traded for ability to move under the 2nd apron

Lakers trade LeBron, Knecht, Kleber, Vincent, Reaves, Rui, Vando, Bronny
get Clarkson, Dunn, Richards, Maluach, Markkanen, Beal
Rationale: build a team tailored to Luka's needs. Shooters, rim protection, POA guard. Of note: I am REALLY bullish on Maluach. His relatively high ft% to me makes him more than a typical rim runner.
Maluach/Richards
Lauri/
DFS/Dunn
Beal/Shake?/Goodwin?
Luka/Clarkson

Very potent team, everyone is a weapon. There is a semblance of defense which is nice. Still will need a back-up in the front court, perhaps like a Boucher or Achiuwa (someone of that level). Sharpe would be the reach.

Jazz trade Clarkson, Lauri
get Knecht, Allen, Reeves, Suns '28 (again, 4th in a swap line, not going to be a great pick, like #25) and a slew of EC's (Vincent, Rui, Kleber)
Rationale: Pivot to building around Ace. Ainge can work his magic in trading some of those EC's for value, fitting into other teams MLE etc and getting back assets. Allen is also someone who could be used, or could be dealt as a 3D wing, again for more future value.
WK/Nurk/Kleber
Collins/Rui/Hendricks
Bailey/K4/KMart
Reaves/Allen
George/Vincent
I am not as familiar with the Jazz intended depth, but this is sort of my general idea. Again, more moves to be made to free up roster space/rotation space.


Final thoughts: Possible changes could involve swapping Green for Beal, pulling out Rui (because I was able to get Suns under 2nd apron). Concept emerged because of wanting to fit LeBron inside of Beal's salary and seeing if I could find enough additional value. Still feel a little short (would have wanted something like 2 real draft picks) but I would be excited to see the Lakers and Suns team above.

This is a mess, but I believe you're saying Lauri and Clarkson for Reeves, Knecht, and Grayson Allen and a very late 1st round pick.

I can't speak for other Jazz fans but I don't think a deal is possible because we are too far apart on value. To be clear this isn't fixable for me as I wouldn't want Reeves, Knecht or Allen for any price.

This would be a funny way to getting off Beal's contract for the Suns. Replacing him with 40 year Lebron, who to be fair is a far better player.I wonder if they are willing to give up both Dunn and Maluach order to avoid having to pay Beal over 50 million dollars for the next couple of years? Would Lebron even approve of this trade? I feel he has more of chance of winning elsewhere besides the Suns.

Far as the 2nd trade is, I know Lauri Markkanen's trade value is down from where used to be, but I don't think it has dropped this low. I just seen the Jazz attach draft assets to Colin Sexton just to get rid of him for a washed up Center. How much value does Austin Reaves actually have? Is Austin really much better than Sexton? I would say no.

Zero interest. We have a bunch of guards already. I also can't imagine the level of self delusion it would take for LeBron to think that he has a better chance at a championship playing next to Booker instead of Luka.

Politely, utah passes. Creative though.