Would you trade/buyout LeBron?

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Would you buyout Lebron

If I am management at this point,yes
17
35%
Maybe mid season if things aren't going well
14
29%
Na, Needs to retire a Laker for his legacy
18
37%
 
Total votes: 49

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Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#1 » by GrindCityHustle » Tue Jul 22, 2025 9:41 pm

Seems like the Lakers are ready to move on. At first I thought it was just talk but someone on a YouTube video made some compelling arguments backed up on evidence

Someone mentioned in another thread about the Clippers being a destination. I don't think they win the title as stands even getting Paul but with a motivated LeBron I could see it happening similar to a 06 Heat type team vibe.

Of course getting the salaries to match would be the kicker but I could see LeBron getting bought out if he simply asked as he commands that kind of respect.

I don't think Cavs are really an option as they would look at it as a distraction to their timeline but I fully believe LeBron likes being in LA and the Clips make more sense.

Basically I think management wants LeBron to make the move and are doing everything to try to get a reaction out of him. I think Luka likes LeBron but he is an alpha and wants this to be his team fully in some regards.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#2 » by SkyBill40 » Tue Jul 22, 2025 9:50 pm

Simple answer for me is: NO.

The Lakers are just below the first apron by $2.3M (but hard capped) and below the second at $14.2; trying to buy out and stretch him isn't ideal even though dead cap would be relatively low around ~$10M:5. Is it worth doing that to him just to clear your books? James is gone either way after this season and given what he's done for the organization, they owe him his flowers and a proper send off. Doncic can wait.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#3 » by Tor_Raps » Tue Jul 22, 2025 9:59 pm

I'm not even watching ESPN and still cant get away from these pointless Lebron threads. Its like people make up stories just to talk about him lol.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#4 » by DonaldSanders » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:33 pm

Um what? He's still a good #2 for Luka.

Play the season out, move on from LeBron if it's the right move at that point. This is just madness.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#5 » by whitehops » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:48 pm

SkyBill40 wrote:Simple answer for me is: NO.

The Lakers are just below the first apron by $2.3M (but hard capped) and below the second at $14.2; trying to buy out and stretch him isn't ideal even though dead cap would be relatively low around ~$10M:5. Is it worth doing that to him just to clear your books? James is gone either way after this season and given what he's done for the organization, they owe him his flowers and a proper send off. Doncic can wait.


the waive-and-stretch number is calculated on their years remaining x 2 +1, so lebron's last year would be stretched over 3 seasons (~$17.5M). if a guy has 2 years left on their deal it's stretched over 5 years, 3 years left it's stretched over 7 years, etc.

IF they couldn't find a suitable trade that set them up going forward i think they'd be better to reach a buyout with lebron, clear all his cap space going forward and extend guys like luka, rui and reaves and build from there.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#6 » by SkyBill40 » Tue Jul 22, 2025 10:59 pm

whitehops wrote:
SkyBill40 wrote:Simple answer for me is: NO.

The Lakers are just below the first apron by $2.3M (but hard capped) and below the second at $14.2; trying to buy out and stretch him isn't ideal even though dead cap would be relatively low around ~$10M:5. Is it worth doing that to him just to clear your books? James is gone either way after this season and given what he's done for the organization, they owe him his flowers and a proper send off. Doncic can wait.


the waive-and-stretch number is calculated on their years remaining x 2 +1, so lebron's last year would be stretched over 3 seasons (~$17.5M). if a guy has 2 years left on their deal it's stretched over 5 years, 3 years left it's stretched over 7 years, etc.

IF they couldn't find a suitable trade that set them up going forward i think they'd be better to reach a buyout with lebron, clear all his cap space going forward and extend guys like luka, rui and reaves and build from there.


Thanks. I'd forgotten that the W/S scenario is scaled. As for a trade, seeing he has a full NTC, I'm doubtful he signs off and there are few teams that would be willing (if any) to trade young resources for a season of 41 year old LBJ. And as far as a buyout, I don't think James is going to be willing to sacrifice much, if any, and that's going to hurt the Lakers going forward.

The best move is to roll with him one last time and let him walk at the end.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#7 » by sogood » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:01 pm

Makes zero sense to buyout Lebron, lmao what is this question?
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#8 » by SlimShady83 » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:03 pm

I would, but makes zero sense

If anything trade Bronny, this would get Bron to ask for a trade, but do this after signing Luka :lol:
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#9 » by Pantsman » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:07 pm

He’d have to take a ridiculous pay cut for it to be worth it. Even then I don’t see a reason why. Unless they need to do a favor for rich Paul for some reason.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#10 » by In-N-Out 247 » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:10 pm

Buyout - no makes no sense to do that.

Trade - sure if they can find a deal that works for everyone, but I doubt that deal exists.

Just play out the season. If it goes well then maybe bring him back for another season if he wants to keep playing. If it does not go well - then he can retire or move on via free agency.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#11 » by vxmike » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:11 pm

They’re gonna roll one more season.

Next summer Lebron is gonna be the highest sought after MLE player ever.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#12 » by aliasxn » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:37 pm

Why would the Lakers buyout LeBron? To make room for who?
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#13 » by picc » Tue Jul 22, 2025 11:40 pm

Zero critical thinking done by OP. Literally zero.

Just "me have question" and "post question".
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#14 » by durden_tyler » Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:34 am

YES. But teams overrate loyalty too much. Still waiting for that GM that will be smart enough to trade the old GOATs.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#15 » by HMFFL » Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:47 am

GrindCityHustle wrote:Seems like the Lakers are ready to move on. At first I thought it was just talk but someone on a YouTube video made some compelling arguments backed up on evidence

Someone mentioned in another thread about the Clippers being a destination. I don't think they win the title as stands even getting Paul but with a motivated LeBron I could see it happening similar to a 06 Heat type team vibe.

Of course getting the salaries to match would be the kicker but I could see LeBron getting bought out if he simply asked as he commands that kind of respect.

I don't think Cavs are really an option as they would look at it as a distraction to their timeline but I fully believe LeBron likes being in LA and the Clips make more sense.

Basically I think management wants LeBron to make the move and are doing everything to try to get a reaction out of him. I think Luka likes LeBron but he is an alpha and wants this to be his team fully in some regards.


"A motivated Lebron" should be able to win a championship with the Lakers and Luka then.

Out of all of the players on the Clippers roster you mention Chris Paul? Not Kawhi? So, will "a motivated Lebron" be the alpha on the Clipppers?
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#16 » by Barnzy » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:34 am

Lakers buy him out and can replace him with...*checks notes* a vet minimum player. Why would they do that?
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#17 » by OdomFan » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:55 am

yes, Buy him out and move on asap.
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#18 » by The Laker Kid » Wed Jul 23, 2025 1:57 am

No. Bronny needs a carpool buddy
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#19 » by SlimShady83 » Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:01 am

The Laker Kid wrote:No. Bronny needs a carpool buddy


A carpool too the warriors. Sorry warrior fans, but we all know you want Lebronny :nod:
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Re: Would you trade/buyout LeBron? 

Post#20 » by giberish » Wed Jul 23, 2025 2:42 am

Buyout - no

There's no benefit for the Lakers in a LeBron buyout. At this point even if they got completely out of his current contract they couldn't do much useful with the salary relief and even if LeBron isn't worth his contract for on-court value he is worth it and then some for off-court value. So a LeBron buyout just makes the team worse this season, hurts revenue more than any financial relief to ownership and doesn't help going forward.

Trade - unlikely

If LeBron is willing to go to another team (he has a full NTC and for ego management and PR you really need to have him in the loop for any deal from the start) and that team is willing to give a good enough return then you can do it. He's not a Laker for life guy - he's not even most well-known for being a Laker. It's not some kind of betrayal to fans or something to trade him. You obviously do need Lebron's approval both for NTC reasons and to make it look like you're not just hosing a star.

I don't see LeBron actually wanting out - at most he just wants more attention from the Lakers FO, not to leave LA. I also don't see other teams offering with a long-term value to make the Lakers care (it wouldn't have to be a huge return, just something and not just filler). So this is unlikely.

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