Can We Talk LeBron Yet?

[Apz]

What about Kuminga S&T Lebron?

The Lakers may view him as a potential complementary star next to Luka, and give him a downscaling 3yr deal with a team option that meets the minimum salary threshold for swapping the 2 of them.

The Dubs would need a 3rd team with capspace like Brooklyn, due to salary matching with Kuminga's BYC. Maybe the Nets absorb Moody or Hield for a future 2nd. I think it could move both teams in their preferred direction.

How the f much kuminga getting here to match lebrons 52m? Kuminga is an mle level player, maybe some team is willing to go to 20m, over that is just very bad contract

[basketballwacko2]

I don't think the Lakers will take any long term salary if they are moving LBJ they're gonna want max cap space in 2026-27. So I don't see any way to move him. If he wanted to play someplace else he should have opted out. I just don't see a team that can eat most of his salary and send back less and any assets to LAL.

[jbk1234]

I don't think the Lakers will take any long term salary if they are moving LBJ they're gonna want max cap space in 2026-27. So I don't see any way to move him. If he wanted to play someplace else he should have opted out. I just don't see a team that can eat most of his salary and send back less and any assets to LAL.

If he has a Ben Simmons payment schedule and if, after the second payment is made, he offers to give back enough to make it worth it for the Lakers, it's possible.

If the Knicks aren't 100% sold on O.G. on a max, it's possible.

But the Lakers taking back bad long-term money seems unlikely unless a team really makes it worth it, and I don't see that happening.

[eitanr]

In reading all the tea leaves, if there is a trade partner, I could see Miami. LeBron is going to want to go full circle on this journey and I just can't see Cleveland accepting him back..again...and holding their franchise in jeopardy.

This is so Pat Riley to consider.

The Heat never seemed in love with Herro, despite his recent all star appearance, and he would feel like the guy the Lakers covet. Miami won't move him so easily, but I could also see them not minding some massive cap coming off the books next season and shifting to being an FA destination, if things fail for Lebron back with Heat.

Wiggins, Herro FOR LeBron, Knecht, Milton, future LAL 1st

Why for Miami: The move would give the Heat a legit chance at winning the east in a weak conference. If things go well for Miami, they can be players at the deadline and upgrade. They also set themselves up to make this a 2 year stint, because they would have $90M or so in cap space and could potentially convince Durant to join James as a last hoorah for one more season. As an FYI, Luka is also a free agent next off season...if things go really awry for both teams, who knows. Miami has banked on FA plays in past.

Knecht gives Miami another needed shooter after losing Duncan. The future 1st is necc compensation to get back given they lose Herro here.

Why for LAL: Herro/Reeves/Luka 1/2/3 in whatever range you like is def interesting. Likely not ideal given the lack of defense, but interesting. Herro and Reeves both play similar roles here, essentially giving Luka additional offensive options to carry the load, space and have an offense run through them occasionally. Wiggins can fill in as a small ball 4.

[Karmaloop]

The Lakers aren't adding picks to a LeBron trade. We can end the discussion right there.

[giberish]

What about Kuminga S&T Lebron?

The Lakers may view him as a potential complementary star next to Luka, and give him a downscaling 3yr deal with a team option that meets the minimum salary threshold for swapping the 2 of them.

The Dubs would need a 3rd team with capspace like Brooklyn, due to salary matching with Kuminga's BYC. Maybe the Nets absorb Moody or Hield for a future 2nd. I think it could move both teams in their preferred direction.

Matching LeBron's salary is essentially impossible for GS if Curry and Butler aren't involved (and there's no point if they are). Take Draymond off the table and I don't know if GS can even end up with a full roster under the 1st apron (where they'd be hard capped).

[giberish]

Hate to say this everyone but Lakers and LeBron are aligned with wanting to win. Keeping Luka is about being competitivie.


Lakers aren't trading LeBron, LeBron may even re-up another season. There are no FAs better than LeBron in 2026 besides Luka.

Yes Lakers want capspace in 2027, that actually hamstrings them a bit, but that's the only difference between what LeBron and Lakers might want.

It seems like a lot would have to change for LBJ to consider re-signing with the Lakers next season. He's floated retiring multiple times over the last couple seasons. We're at the where do I want to finish my career part of his journey.

It depends on how much he values winning vs size of role (being added to a top team he won't be in a big role) vs salary (more for ego than actual finances but teams other than LAL won't be able to offer much) vs location.

He also may just decide that if he's no longer good enough to have a major role on a contender than he'll just retire (and at his age there's always the chance than an injury will make the choice for him).

[nykballa2k4]

The Lakers aren't adding picks to a LeBron trade. We can end the discussion right there.

Why would you? You guys keep getting superstar and all-star talent basically gifted/free.

For any other club, I would say you have to give to get. If LeBron is saying he wants out, that removes some leverage on your end and if you want an equitable (I would say better) player back you have to pay up for that.

[zimpy27]

Hate to say this everyone but Lakers and LeBron are aligned with wanting to win. Keeping Luka is about being competitivie.


Lakers aren't trading LeBron, LeBron may even re-up another season. There are no FAs better than LeBron in 2026 besides Luka.

Yes Lakers want capspace in 2027, that actually hamstrings them a bit, but that's the only difference between what LeBron and Lakers might want.

It seems like a lot would have to change for LBJ to consider re-signing with the Lakers next season. He's floated retiring multiple times over the last couple seasons. We're at the where do I want to finish my career part of his journey.

I think I know where LeBron wants to finish his career.
I think he wants to finish his career on an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas where he gets some deal to be part-owner.


I just don't know when expansion is happening, if it's next offseason then yeah LeBron knows and that's why he opted in. We shall see.
But if it's 2027 then I absolutely expect LeBron to be on Lakers in 26-27. He will wait it out there until expansion.

[giberish]

Hate to say this everyone but Lakers and LeBron are aligned with wanting to win. Keeping Luka is about being competitivie.


Lakers aren't trading LeBron, LeBron may even re-up another season. There are no FAs better than LeBron in 2026 besides Luka.

Yes Lakers want capspace in 2027, that actually hamstrings them a bit, but that's the only difference between what LeBron and Lakers might want.

It seems like a lot would have to change for LBJ to consider re-signing with the Lakers next season. He's floated retiring multiple times over the last couple seasons. We're at the where do I want to finish my career part of his journey.

I think I know where LeBron wants to finish his career.
I think he wants to finish his career on an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas where he gets some deal to be part-owner.


I just don't know when expansion is happening, if it's next offseason then yeah LeBron knows and that's why he opted in. We shall see.
But if it's 2027 then I absolutely expect LeBron to be on Lakers in 26-27. He will wait it out there until expansion.

Player-owners aren't allowed.

[zimpy27]

It seems like a lot would have to change for LBJ to consider re-signing with the Lakers next season. He's floated retiring multiple times over the last couple seasons. We're at the where do I want to finish my career part of his journey.

I think I know where LeBron wants to finish his career.
I think he wants to finish his career on an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas where he gets some deal to be part-owner.


I just don't know when expansion is happening, if it's next offseason then yeah LeBron knows and that's why he opted in. We shall see.
But if it's 2027 then I absolutely expect LeBron to be on Lakers in 26-27. He will wait it out there until expansion.

Player-owners aren't allowed.

Yes but you can get that ownership stake after you retire.

[JRoy]

Hate to say this everyone but Lakers and LeBron are aligned with wanting to win. Keeping Luka is about being competitivie.


Lakers aren't trading LeBron, LeBron may even re-up another season. There are no FAs better than LeBron in 2026 besides Luka.

Yes Lakers want capspace in 2027, that actually hamstrings them a bit, but that's the only difference between what LeBron and Lakers might want.

It seems like a lot would have to change for LBJ to consider re-signing with the Lakers next season. He's floated retiring multiple times over the last couple seasons. We're at the where do I want to finish my career part of his journey.

I think I know where LeBron wants to finish his career.
I think he wants to finish his career on an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas where he gets some deal to be part-owner.


I just don't know when expansion is happening, if it's next offseason then yeah LeBron knows and that's why he opted in. We shall see.
But if it's 2027 then I absolutely expect LeBron to be on Lakers in 26-27. He will wait it out there until expansion.

That’s crazy enough to be true. Will take his Nepo bay with him wherever he goes.

[Slava]

In reading all the tea leaves, if there is a trade partner, I could see Miami. LeBron is going to want to go full circle on this journey and I just can't see Cleveland accepting him back..again...and holding their franchise in jeopardy.

This is so Pat Riley to consider.

The Heat never seemed in love with Herro, despite his recent all star appearance, and he would feel like the guy the Lakers covet. Miami won't move him so easily, but I could also see them not minding some massive cap coming off the books next season and shifting to being an FA destination, if things fail for Lebron back with Heat.

Wiggins, Herro FOR LeBron, Knecht, Milton, future LAL 1st

Why for Miami: The move would give the Heat a legit chance at winning the east in a weak conference. If things go well for Miami, they can be players at the deadline and upgrade. They also set themselves up to make this a 2 year stint, because they would have $90M or so in cap space and could potentially convince Durant to join James as a last hoorah for one more season. As an FYI, Luka is also a free agent next off season...if things go really awry for both teams, who knows. Miami has banked on FA plays in past.

Knecht gives Miami another needed shooter after losing Duncan. The future 1st is necc compensation to get back given they lose Herro here.

Why for LAL: Herro/Reeves/Luka 1/2/3 in whatever range you like is def interesting. Likely not ideal given the lack of defense, but interesting. Herro and Reeves both play similar roles here, essentially giving Luka additional offensive options to carry the load, space and have an offense run through them occasionally. Wiggins can fill in as a small ball 4.

Pelinka needs a lobotomy if he trades LeBron for Wiggins and Herro and adds Knecht and a 1st in that deal.

[YayBasketball]

Sounds crazy, but Zion plus salary to Lakers, Lebbie and Jr. to Knicks/Heat/Mavs, 3rd team players to Pels.

- Lakers would have to get good info that Zion's "case" will be dismissed or settled clearing him of public guilt. The civil lawsuit is filed in LA, they have experience with a similar situation with Jaxson Hayes.

- Zion and Luka are both Nike guys, having done numerous PR trips and appearances together. Lakers wanting star power, believe they can rejuvenate Zion's career with new focus and purpose.

- Pelicans are over the Z experience. The report a month back that Dumars had a mandate from ownership to get Zion out was likely true, but with no trade market, Dumars has to play along like they want him as a core piece. But they just drafted 2 on ball creators who aren't shooters, especially Queen who operates in the same exact spaces and ways Z does. Zion Ballin out for the Lakers will surely come back to look bad for Pels, so they'll need to get worthwhile pieces (OG, KAT, etc.) to save face and keep them competitive to only give up as low a pick as possible to the Hawks.

[Michaellam1987]

DAL can give you Klay + Gafford + Martin + Hardy + Powell + Omax for LeBron + Bronny

[shrink]

For any other club, I would say you have to give to get. If LeBron is saying he wants out, that removes some leverage on your end and if you want an equitable (I would say better) player back you have to pay up for that.

This is exactly how I see it. The Lakers franchise has a huge advantage over the rest of the NBA. With their prestige, they can acquire superstars simply as free agents, even if the team has been in the lottery multiple years. This is how they got LeBron in the first place! No other team has this big an advantage, where they can often turn their cap space into the best players in the league.

The only small downside to this is that you have to treat them like princesses. Laker fans saying, “oh, we’ll play hardball, we don’t have to take a trade we don’t like!” just aren’t getting it. The Lakers need to acquiesce to whatever LeBron demands, not for LeBron, but for Luka and the next decades’ superstars that want to be Lakers.

[jbk1234]

DAL can give you Klay + Gafford + Martin + Hardy + Powell + Omax for LeBron + Bronny

That's a negative value package.

[nate33]

The problem is, the teams that would consider Lebron on a 1-year rental are team with aging stars looking for one last run at a title. But teams built like that are over the Apron and can't combine salaries to engineer a Lebron trade.

The teams under the Apron, like Miami, wouldn't be good enough with Lebron to seriously contend, so they won't bother.

[KdoubleDees23]

Just take MLE, tell lakers you will do that if they draft Bryce. Then you can play with 2 kids on the lakers then retire.

[Michaellam1987]

DAL can give you Klay + Gafford + Martin + Hardy + Powell + Omax for LeBron + Bronny

That's a negative value package.

Honestly, there is not much choice out there, so little bit hardball here, take it or leave it, at least this package is better than Wiggins + Rozier from MIA