Lakers Would Receive Interest From Multiple Teams If LeBron James Asks To Be Traded

[RealGM Wiretap]

LeBron James is considered likely to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers next season, but he would receive interest if the parties decide to explore the trade market. James picked up his $52.6 million player option with the Lakers on the eve of free agency, but comments from Rich Paul suggested he has some level of unease over how competitive the team is choosing to be in the short-term as they now pivot to build around Luka Doncic.

"I am told LeBron's just chilling and watching the offseason," said Brian Windhorst on Tuesday's NBA Today Free Agency Special. "Do I think he's going to get traded? No, I do not. But if he wanted to get traded, there are teams who would step up and make offers. So those two things, I think, are true. And if LeBron speaks up for himself and has a different thing to say, then we could have some action. But I don't know if that'll happen."

Regardless of what happens with James, the most impactful part of the Lakers' offseason will come on August 2nd when Doncic becomes eligible for an extension.

The Lakers desperately need to address the center position, but have yet to make any moves via free agency or trade to do so. The Lakers' only major offseason move has been the signing of Jake LaRavia. The Lakers are also said to be preserving their 2027 cap space with the goal of signing a max free agent.

Via Brian Windhorst/ESPN

[OxAndFox]

Problem is there aren't many that actually can. It would more than likely be a complex deal.

[Pickled Prunes]

Problem is there aren't many that actually can. It would more than likely be a complex deal.

I think the motivation to trade for Lebron would be more about selling tickets than winning. I mean, maybe if he went to HOU before Durant did, but where else would there be a fit on a winning team?

[miamiheat319]

water is wet

[ecuhus1981]

I think that Miami can make an interesting offer, with Wiggins, Anderson and Jaquez, all 2yr deals.

Cleveland would need to do some apron gymnastics, but I could see them freeing capspace by dealing Garland to Brooklyn and swinging Hunter to LA.

Dallas can cobble together 2yr salary like (son of a Laker) Klay, but if they aren't including Lively, I don't see the Lakers agreeing.

Lebron has a no trade clause, so that complicates things. Even if other teams wanted him, I doubt he would choose to OK the deal away from LA.

[CaHgO]

It's all smoke and mirrors for clicks and engagement. There is no team he can go to where he will have better chances of contention compared to the Lakers. Either cause they can't trade for him (and still stay competitive) or they don't want to.

[xchange55]

LBJ would receive trade interest only from non-contending teams because he's an expiring contract.

Do you think a contending team is trading key pieces for a player clearly on the decline and has not played defense in 7+ years? When's the last time he made it out of the first round with AD or Luka by his side?

Fake news being spread by his team to try and drum up some interest.

[YourGM99]

Problem is there aren't many that actually can. It would more than likely be a complex deal.

I think the motivation to trade for Lebron would be more about selling tickets than winning. I mean, maybe if he went to HOU before Durant did, but where else would there be a fit on a winning team?

LeBron has a no trade clause so he is not going to OK a trade to team that is not positioned to compete for a championship or have the assets to make immediate moves to be competitive. There are a few teams that fit into this category that I can think of.


PHX: They can trade Bradley Beal, the salaries are similar but other players may need to be added to make things work under the cap. That leaves them with Lebron, Booker, and a balanced roster.

Sixers: They can trade Paul George. Not sure if LeBron would want to go there considering Embiid’s injury history though. That leaves them with LeBron, Embiid, and Maxey,

Miami: They can build a package around Terry Rozier and salary fillers. Rozier is scheduled to make around $25M this season. Lebron, Bam, Herro, and Wiggins together can compete in the east.

Spurs: They can do a package around Harrison Barnes and Sheldon Johnson. That leaves them with Lebron, Wemby, Fox, Castle, and Harper.


These trades could work but the biggest thing is Lebron is not going to go to a team that has to completely gut their roster to get him so you’re looking at high salaried vets or multiple players who are overpaid in the $15M - $25M range. He also, needs to be on a balanced roster and these trades do that.

[MitchB3]

A few things here:

1- Should Bron get traded that's going to impact his case for "GOAT"

2- I thought ring culture is weird? Why do you want to chase rings?

3- Bron: I want to win another championship.
Also, Bron: I'm going to pick up my $52 Mil player option.

4- He's looking at the Warriors, Mavs, and Cavs.
Warriors: cap space and would have to send back Jimmy or Draymond in the deal.
Mavs: Nico would be stupid to trade Cooper Flagg for a non-guaranteed chip.
Cavs: The team he really wants to go to, but they aren't really interested in him.

[Rek]

PLEASE ASK!!!

So over this guy...

[druggas]

Trade LeBorn and son.

[MitchB3]

Problem is there aren't many that actually can. It would more than likely be a complex deal.

I think the motivation to trade for Lebron would be more about selling tickets than winning. I mean, maybe if he went to HOU before Durant did, but where else would there be a fit on a winning team?

LeBron has a no trade clause so he is not going to OK a trade to team that is not positioned to compete for a championship or have the assets to make immediate moves to be competitive. There are a few teams that fit into this category that I can think of.


PHX: They can trade Bradley Beal, the salaries are similar but other players may need to be added to make things work under the cap. That leaves them with Lebron, Booker, and a balanced roster.

Sixers: They can trade Paul George. Not sure if LeBron would want to go there considering Embiid’s injury history though. That leaves them with LeBron, Embiid, and Maxey,

Miami: They can build a package around Terry Rozier and salary fillers. Rozier is scheduled to make around $25M this season. Lebron, Bam, Herro, and Wiggins together can compete in the east.

Spurs: They can do a package around Harrison Barnes and Sheldon Johnson. That leaves them with Lebron, Wemby, Fox, Castle, and Harper.


These trades could work but the biggest thing is Lebron is not going to go to a team that has to completely gut their roster to get him so you’re looking at high salaried vets or multiple players who are overpaid in the $15M - $25M range. He also, needs to be on a balanced roster and these trades do that.

None of these trade works as you think it does.

Suns: Beal has a NTC, he's already stated that he's not waiving it.

Sixers: Lakers don't want PG back.

Miami: Would have to give up Herro or Bam, Lakers wouldn't just want Wiggins and contract fillers.

Spurs: Hanging up that phone aka wrong number.

[AwesomeLife]

I think the motivation to trade for Lebron would be more about selling tickets than winning. I mean, maybe if he went to HOU before Durant did, but where else would there be a fit on a winning team?

LeBron has a no trade clause so he is not going to OK a trade to team that is not positioned to compete for a championship or have the assets to make immediate moves to be competitive. There are a few teams that fit into this category that I can think of.


PHX: They can trade Bradley Beal, the salaries are similar but other players may need to be added to make things work under the cap. That leaves them with Lebron, Booker, and a balanced roster.

Sixers: They can trade Paul George. Not sure if LeBron would want to go there considering Embiid’s injury history though. That leaves them with LeBron, Embiid, and Maxey,

Miami: They can build a package around Terry Rozier and salary fillers. Rozier is scheduled to make around $25M this season. Lebron, Bam, Herro, and Wiggins together can compete in the east.

Spurs: They can do a package around Harrison Barnes and Sheldon Johnson. That leaves them with Lebron, Wemby, Fox, Castle, and Harper.


These trades could work but the biggest thing is Lebron is not going to go to a team that has to completely gut their roster to get him so you’re looking at high salaried vets or multiple players who are overpaid in the $15M - $25M range. He also, needs to be on a balanced roster and these trades do that.

None of these trade works as you think it does.

Suns: Beal has a NTC, he's already stated that he's not waiving it.

Sixers: Lakers don't want PG back.

Miami: Would have to give up Herro or Bam, Lakers wouldn't just want Wiggins and contract fillers.

Spurs: Hanging up that phone aka wrong number.

Yeah the Beal take is madness, they have been trying to move him for quite some time, but that guy doesn't give a single F, he would rather sit at home and get the pay check. Durant left, cuz PHX can't compete with Beal and whoever was behind that trade shot that team in both feet. One of the worst trades in NBA history and PHX is falling apart as a result.

About Lebron most importantly there is no way in hell Lebron goes to teams that wont compete and 3/4 are that. Only thing that can make some sense is the Spurs, cuz they have the roster to compete, Lebron can fit and can be an extremely good influence for that young team. In general only Rockets, Spurs and maybe one more team can let go of some mid salary players for Lebron and improve their team for the next year or two and really get more positives, so if we have to be realistic 95% of the teams either don't want to touch what they have atm or they have nothing to offer for Lebron or to Lebron, cuz you have to please both Lakers and Lebron otherwise that trade ain't happening, so long story short - no - Lebron won't get traded he will go to a new team as free agent like he did throughout his career - he was never traded and never asked to be traded, so its either that or he resigns with the Lakers next season and thats it. Media can speculate anc clickbait all they want, but this is the reality regardless of Lakers off season and mid season moves.

[Pickled Prunes]

Problem is there aren't many that actually can. It would more than likely be a complex deal.

I think the motivation to trade for Lebron would be more about selling tickets than winning. I mean, maybe if he went to HOU before Durant did, but where else would there be a fit on a winning team?

LeBron has a no trade clause so he is not going to OK a trade to team that is not positioned to compete for a championship or have the assets to make immediate moves to be competitive. There are a few teams that fit into this category that I can think of.


PHX: They can trade Bradley Beal, the salaries are similar but other players may need to be added to make things work under the cap. That leaves them with Lebron, Booker, and a balanced roster.

Sixers: They can trade Paul George. Not sure if LeBron would want to go there considering Embiid’s injury history though. That leaves them with LeBron, Embiid, and Maxey,

Miami: They can build a package around Terry Rozier and salary fillers. Rozier is scheduled to make around $25M this season. Lebron, Bam, Herro, and Wiggins together can compete in the east.

Spurs: They can do a package around Harrison Barnes and Sheldon Johnson. That leaves them with Lebron, Wemby, Fox, Castle, and Harper.


These trades could work but the biggest thing is Lebron is not going to go to a team that has to completely gut their roster to get him so you’re looking at high salaried vets or multiple players who are overpaid in the $15M - $25M range. He also, needs to be on a balanced roster and these trades do that.

PHX: LAL would need to want Beal for that to work... they have nothing else to offer. And of course, Beal also has a NTC.
PHI: How many picks would it take for LAL to agree to take on PG's contract?
MIA: Riley is keeping his powder dry. I doubt he would not give up a single 1st for a year or two of Lebron.

[OxAndFox]

A few things here:

1- Should Bron get traded that's going to impact his case for "GOAT"

2- I thought ring culture is weird? Why do you want to chase rings?

3- Bron: I want to win another championship.
Also, Bron: I'm going to pick up my $52 Mil player option.

4- He's looking at the Warriors, Mavs, and Cavs.
Warriors: cap space and would have to send back Jimmy or Draymond in the deal.
Mavs: Nico would be stupid to trade Cooper Flagg for a non-guaranteed chip.
Cavs: The team he really wants to go to, but they aren't really interested in him.

Thanks. I really needed a good belly laugh today.