King James for Durant (via S&T)

[rugbyrugger23]

This was posted in a thread, and I think a crazy idea that is fun to consider.

Let’s make some assumptions. KD tells GSW he is leaving to do his own thing. Thanks for the rings but I need to win one on my own. And yes, I would consider a S&T as a parting gift to not leave you high and dry...

Enter King James and Lakers. On the court, James seems like he is ready to coast. Off court business seems more important to him. NoCal is very close to LA and its own hot spot for off court business.

James

For

KD (S&T)

KD gets his own team. He helps Magic recruit his 1 max free agent Robin. Then he forces Magic’s hand to trade youth and remaining cap space for more win now talent. KD gets his try at GM and constructing a team he is happy with — in LA of all places — to chase a ring on his own. Who signs to play with KD? Who do they trade for?

James gets a team that is built to let him coast. He is surrounded by shooting like never before. He has to be excited at opportunity to win a few more rings.

NBA would generate some great theater with this trade. The new look Lakers vs. the GSW dynasty — now with King James. If Boston can land Davis and Knicks Zion (frozen envelope 2.0), NBA would be made for prime time ratings.

[JamesDolan]

Love to see LeBron on my Warriors. But no thank you, KD is resigning and do not believe those Knick fans.

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[slos]

Why would LA do this? I mean they can sign Durant with cap space and trade Lebron elsewhere to add some value. Let's say to New Orleans for AD... It's a fun idea, but it makes no sense. Warriors would have to send back at least 4 FRPs to make this work.

[MoneyTalks41890]

Na this makes a lot of sense. Kd Is gone like 51 percent, so if the situation arises moving him for Bron is a coup. Curry and Bron even for a couple years is 2 of the best at the top of their games. Bron is best supplemented by an elite shooter that can also accomplish the other situations necessary for a Star. Check. Then trade Dray for a complimentary player.

[Hoops23]

If I'm the Warriors GM, I'll do my very best to resign the more younger KD.
Playing coach and Gen Manager Lebron will hurt the Warriors. Its possible he will collide with Draymond.

[rugbyrugger23]

Why would LA do this? I mean they can sign Durant with cap space and trade Lebron elsewhere to add some value. Let's say to New Orleans for AD... It's a fun idea, but it makes no sense. Warriors would have to send back at least 4 FRPs to make this work.

I would think James has a no trade clause. He isn’t going to agree to trade just anywhere. Maybe 2-3 destinations.

Plus, KD if he wants his own team isn’t going to want James in LA and the drama of trading him. Lakers risk losing him to Knicks.

A swap of the superstars is the easiest with most chance of actually being pulled off.

[Resistance]

Why would LA do this? I mean they can sign Durant with cap space and trade Lebron elsewhere to add some value. Let's say to New Orleans for AD... It's a fun idea, but it makes no sense. Warriors would have to send back at least 4 FRPs to make this work.

I would think James has a no trade clause. He isn’t going to agree to trade just anywhere. Maybe 2-3 destinations.

Plus, KD if he wants his own team isn’t going to want James in LA and the drama of trading him. Lakers risk losing him to Knicks.

A swap of the superstars is the easiest with most chance of actually being pulled off.

How?

101. When can't a player be traded? Can players be given "no-trade" clauses in their contracts?

A "no-trade" clause prevents the team from trading the player without the player's consent. A no-trade clause can be negotiated into a new contract1 if the player has been in the NBA for at least eight seasons, and has played for the team with which he is signing for at least four seasons2. They don't have to be the four most recent seasons -- for example, Horace Grant received a no-trade clause from Orlando when he signed with them in 2001. He had played for Orlando for the requisite four seasons, but had played for Seattle and Los Angeles in the interim

[rugbyrugger23]

Why would LA do this? I mean they can sign Durant with cap space and trade Lebron elsewhere to add some value. Let's say to New Orleans for AD... It's a fun idea, but it makes no sense. Warriors would have to send back at least 4 FRPs to make this work.

I would think James has a no trade clause. He isn’t going to agree to trade just anywhere. Maybe 2-3 destinations.

Plus, KD if he wants his own team isn’t going to want James in LA and the drama of trading him. Lakers risk losing him to Knicks.

A swap of the superstars is the easiest with most chance of actually being pulled off.

How?

101. When can't a player be traded? Can players be given "no-trade" clauses in their contracts?

A "no-trade" clause prevents the team from trading the player without the player's consent. A no-trade clause can be negotiated into a new contract1 if the player has been in the NBA for at least eight seasons, and has played for the team with which he is signing for at least four seasons2. They don't have to be the four most recent seasons -- for example, Horace Grant received a no-trade clause from Orlando when he signed with them in 2001. He had played for Orlando for the requisite four seasons, but had played for Seattle and Los Angeles in the interim

So I googled it — he does not have a no trade clause. But a 15% trade kicker (which I think he can waive if he chooses) that gives James’s some control. But his real control is no team will give value for James unless it is one of the 2-3 destinations he would actually stay and play.

[Woody Allen]

I don't see KD being interested.

[jbk1234]

If a team has the cap space to sign Durant, and he wants to play there, he'll just sign with that team. He'd be very foolish to insist that the team acquiring him parted with valuable players.

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[jayjaysee]

If a team has the cap space to sign Durant, and he wants to play there, he'll just sign with that team. He'd be very foolish to insist that the team acquiring him parted with valuable players.

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I agree with this.

But I’ll go a, possibly/likely, different direction..

Why is Durant creating a team he (nor anyone) could beat?

If we work under the IF’s - Magic is actually willing to trade Bron, because Durant is willing to sign but him not wanting to play with LBJ, while also needing the Lakers to keep cap space for Kyrie or Butler then trade LBJ to a different team for assets.

Any team with cap space would use it and add assets to get LeBron. Any team without cap space, would pay a third team to take on salary while still giving the Lakers assets.

There’s no way I’m putting Curry/Klay/Bron/Green together.

[rugbyrugger23]

If a team has the cap space to sign Durant, and he wants to play there, he'll just sign with that team. He'd be very foolish to insist that the team acquiring him parted with valuable players.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

I agree with this.

But I’ll go a, possibly/likely, different direction..

Why is Durant creating a team he (nor anyone) could beat?

If we work under the IF’s - Magic is actually willing to trade Bron, because Durant is willing to sign but him not wanting to play with LBJ, while also needing the Lakers to keep cap space for Kyrie or Butler then trade LBJ to a different team for assets.

Any team with cap space would use it and add assets to get LeBron. Any team without cap space, would pay a third team to take on salary while still giving the Lakers assets.

There’s no way I’m putting Curry/Klay/Bron/Green together.

No one knows what KD really wants to do. But I would say greater probability that KD does not want to play in Lakers land with James. If any of the narrative is true he wants his own team, “just signing in LA because they have cap space” is DOA.

So the more complicated scenario, if for some reason KD says to Magic, “I want to play in LA but not with James, trade him.” The logistics of trading James to non GSW team becomes nearly impossible. Plus the difficulty of that with KD sitting around doesn’t work either — he would have no ability to recruit another superstar.

James isn’t being traded to just any team. He doesn’t have a no trade clause, but a trade kicker and a huge contract for any team to consider. More importantly, he will threaten not to play with just any team. Lol at James on Magic or Suns or Wolves or about any 26-27 teams. Those teams will give no value for James.

Plus add the fact if Magic did James wrong and just traded him anywhere for anything — Lakers land would have about zero FA sign there in future after doing James so nasty.

[youngcrev]

Why would KD go to a Lebron-less Lakers? And if he's going to stay in the West, why would he help the Warriors remain the top team in the league?

[jbk1234]

If a team has the cap space to sign Durant, and he wants to play there, he'll just sign with that team. He'd be very foolish to insist that the team acquiring him parted with valuable players.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

I agree with this.

But I’ll go a, possibly/likely, different direction..

Why is Durant creating a team he (nor anyone) could beat?

If we work under the IF’s - Magic is actually willing to trade Bron, because Durant is willing to sign but him not wanting to play with LBJ, while also needing the Lakers to keep cap space for Kyrie or Butler then trade LBJ to a different team for assets.

Any team with cap space would use it and add assets to get LeBron. Any team without cap space, would pay a third team to take on salary while still giving the Lakers assets.

There’s no way I’m putting Curry/Klay/Bron/Green together.

No one knows what KD really wants to do. But I would say greater probability that KD does not want to play in Lakers land with James. If any of the narrative is true he wants his own team, “just signing in LA because they have cap space” is DOA.

So the more complicated scenario, if for some reason KD says to Magic, “I want to play in LA but not with James, trade him.” The logistics of trading James to non GSW team becomes nearly impossible. Plus the difficulty of that with KD sitting around doesn’t work either — he would have no ability to recruit another superstar.

James isn’t being traded to just any team. He doesn’t have a no trade clause, but a trade kicker and a huge contract for any team to consider. More importantly, he will threaten not to play with just any team. Lol at James on Magic or Suns or Wolves or about any 26-27 teams. Those teams will give no value for James.

Plus add the fact if Magic did James wrong and just traded him anywhere for anything — Lakers land would have about zero FA sign there in future after doing James so nasty.

The Lakers with Durant instead of LBJ are a bubble team as currently constructed. Durant isn't going to want to play there *but without LBJ.* This is pure fantasy. But if we're going to suspend disbelief and entertain this scenario, Durant will tell Magic to trade LBJ to a third team for better players and/or picks so they can build a better team around him.

[jayjaysee]

If a team has the cap space to sign Durant, and he wants to play there, he'll just sign with that team. He'd be very foolish to insist that the team acquiring him parted with valuable players.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J327A using RealGM mobile app

I agree with this.

But I’ll go a, possibly/likely, different direction..

Why is Durant creating a team he (nor anyone) could beat?

If we work under the IF’s - Magic is actually willing to trade Bron, because Durant is willing to sign but him not wanting to play with LBJ, while also needing the Lakers to keep cap space for Kyrie or Butler then trade LBJ to a different team for assets.

Any team with cap space would use it and add assets to get LeBron. Any team without cap space, would pay a third team to take on salary while still giving the Lakers assets.

There’s no way I’m putting Curry/Klay/Bron/Green together.

No one knows what KD really wants to do. But I would say greater probability that KD does not want to play in Lakers land with James. If any of the narrative is true he wants his own team, “just signing in LA because they have cap space” is DOA.

So the more complicated scenario, if for some reason KD says to Magic, “I want to play in LA but not with James, trade him.” The logistics of trading James to non GSW team becomes nearly impossible. Plus the difficulty of that with KD sitting around doesn’t work either — he would have no ability to recruit another superstar.

James isn’t being traded to just any team. He doesn’t have a no trade clause, but a trade kicker and a huge contract for any team to consider. More importantly, he will threaten not to play with just any team. Lol at James on Magic or Suns or Wolves or about any 26-27 teams. Those teams will give no value for James.

Plus add the fact if Magic did James wrong and just traded him anywhere for anything — Lakers land would have about zero FA sign there in future after doing James so nasty.

LeBron James is going to sit out 3 full seasons? You really think that? And there’s not a team in the league that would think LeBron is too expensive. He pays for himself, probably pays for most of your teams salary.

I’m not suggesting trading him to a bottom team or a small market though, but most teams wouldn’t be bottom if they got LeBron.

Trade him to the Clips. Trade him to the Knicks. Trade him to the Celtics. Have the Raptors send Ibaka to a third team and get Siakim or something. Or similar with other good teams, that Durant+Kyrie could still have a chance at beating - or at least not have to play until he finals...

You don’t voluntarily create the (new) best team ever.

[rugbyrugger23]

I agree with this.

But I’ll go a, possibly/likely, different direction..

Why is Durant creating a team he (nor anyone) could beat?

If we work under the IF’s - Magic is actually willing to trade Bron, because Durant is willing to sign but him not wanting to play with LBJ, while also needing the Lakers to keep cap space for Kyrie or Butler then trade LBJ to a different team for assets.

Any team with cap space would use it and add assets to get LeBron. Any team without cap space, would pay a third team to take on salary while still giving the Lakers assets.

There’s no way I’m putting Curry/Klay/Bron/Green together.

No one knows what KD really wants to do. But I would say greater probability that KD does not want to play in Lakers land with James. If any of the narrative is true he wants his own team, “just signing in LA because they have cap space” is DOA.

So the more complicated scenario, if for some reason KD says to Magic, “I want to play in LA but not with James, trade him.” The logistics of trading James to non GSW team becomes nearly impossible. Plus the difficulty of that with KD sitting around doesn’t work either — he would have no ability to recruit another superstar.

James isn’t being traded to just any team. He doesn’t have a no trade clause, but a trade kicker and a huge contract for any team to consider. More importantly, he will threaten not to play with just any team. Lol at James on Magic or Suns or Wolves or about any 26-27 teams. Those teams will give no value for James.

Plus add the fact if Magic did James wrong and just traded him anywhere for anything — Lakers land would have about zero FA sign there in future after doing James so nasty.

LeBron James is going to sit out 3 full seasons? You really think that? And there’s not a team in the league that would think LeBron is too expensive. He pays for himself, probably pays for most of your teams salary.

I’m not suggesting trading him to a bottom team or a small market though, but most teams wouldn’t be bottom if they got LeBron.

Trade him to the Clips. Trade him to the Knicks. Trade him to the Celtics. Have the Raptors send Ibaka to a third team and get Siakim or something. Or similar with other good teams, that Durant+Kyrie could still have a chance at beating - or at least not have to play until he finals...

You don’t voluntarily create the (new) best team ever.

When I mention his contract it’s nkt the expense (payroll) it’s the cap impact. Matching his 40+ mil in trade, and still building a competitive roster is more difficult with that variable.

You mention the teams that make sense. And those are scenarios that might work. No doubt. Same with the OP.

[rugbyrugger23]

I agree with this.

But I’ll go a, possibly/likely, different direction..

Why is Durant creating a team he (nor anyone) could beat?

If we work under the IF’s - Magic is actually willing to trade Bron, because Durant is willing to sign but him not wanting to play with LBJ, while also needing the Lakers to keep cap space for Kyrie or Butler then trade LBJ to a different team for assets.

Any team with cap space would use it and add assets to get LeBron. Any team without cap space, would pay a third team to take on salary while still giving the Lakers assets.

There’s no way I’m putting Curry/Klay/Bron/Green together.

No one knows what KD really wants to do. But I would say greater probability that KD does not want to play in Lakers land with James. If any of the narrative is true he wants his own team, “just signing in LA because they have cap space” is DOA.

So the more complicated scenario, if for some reason KD says to Magic, “I want to play in LA but not with James, trade him.” The logistics of trading James to non GSW team becomes nearly impossible. Plus the difficulty of that with KD sitting around doesn’t work either — he would have no ability to recruit another superstar.

James isn’t being traded to just any team. He doesn’t have a no trade clause, but a trade kicker and a huge contract for any team to consider. More importantly, he will threaten not to play with just any team. Lol at James on Magic or Suns or Wolves or about any 26-27 teams. Those teams will give no value for James.

Plus add the fact if Magic did James wrong and just traded him anywhere for anything — Lakers land would have about zero FA sign there in future after doing James so nasty.

The Lakers with Durant instead of LBJ are a bubble team as currently constructed. Durant isn't going to want to play there *but without LBJ.* This is pure fantasy. But if we're going to suspend disbelief and entertain this scenario, Durant will tell Magic to trade LBJ to a third team for better players and/or picks so they can build a better team around him.

Durant going to any team not GSW is to play GM Durant. To even mention him playing with Lakers team as constructed is just trying to throw shade just to do it. Come on now.

And yes, I believe with higher probability that Durant would perfer to play without James than with James.

[jbk1234]

No one knows what KD really wants to do. But I would say greater probability that KD does not want to play in Lakers land with James. If any of the narrative is true he wants his own team, “just signing in LA because they have cap space” is DOA.

So the more complicated scenario, if for some reason KD says to Magic, “I want to play in LA but not with James, trade him.” The logistics of trading James to non GSW team becomes nearly impossible. Plus the difficulty of that with KD sitting around doesn’t work either — he would have no ability to recruit another superstar.

James isn’t being traded to just any team. He doesn’t have a no trade clause, but a trade kicker and a huge contract for any team to consider. More importantly, he will threaten not to play with just any team. Lol at James on Magic or Suns or Wolves or about any 26-27 teams. Those teams will give no value for James.

Plus add the fact if Magic did James wrong and just traded him anywhere for anything — Lakers land would have about zero FA sign there in future after doing James so nasty.

The Lakers with Durant instead of LBJ are a bubble team as currently constructed. Durant isn't going to want to play there *but without LBJ.* This is pure fantasy. But if we're going to suspend disbelief and entertain this scenario, Durant will tell Magic to trade LBJ to a third team for better players and/or picks so they can build a better team around him.

Durant going to any team not GSW is to play GM Durant. To even mention him playing with Lakers team as constructed is just trying to throw shade just to do it. Come on now.

And yes, I believe with higher probability that Durant would perfer to play without James than with James.

Even if the Lakers allow another star to come in and play GM, you still haven't addressed the FAR more likely scenario of Durant asking Magic to trade LBJ to a third team for pieces to put around Durant.

[rugbyrugger23]

The Lakers with Durant instead of LBJ are a bubble team as currently constructed. Durant isn't going to want to play there *but without LBJ.* This is pure fantasy. But if we're going to suspend disbelief and entertain this scenario, Durant will tell Magic to trade LBJ to a third team for better players and/or picks so they can build a better team around him.

Durant going to any team not GSW is to play GM Durant. To even mention him playing with Lakers team as constructed is just trying to throw shade just to do it. Come on now.

And yes, I believe with higher probability that Durant would perfer to play without James than with James.

Even if the Lakers allow another star to come in and play GM, you still haven't addressed the FAR more likely scenario of Durant asking Magic to trade LBJ to a third team for pieces to put around Durant.

I have addressed — many times. So once again, that is a scenario as well. Myself and many have posted trades playing out that scenario.

It does add a level of complication. Adds a level of uncertainty with who and where James is traded. This thread is about exploring removing those and dealing directly with GSW.

[jbk1234]

Durant going to any team not GSW is to play GM Durant. To even mention him playing with Lakers team as constructed is just trying to throw shade just to do it. Come on now.

And yes, I believe with higher probability that Durant would perfer to play without James than with James.

Even if the Lakers allow another star to come in and play GM, you still haven't addressed the FAR more likely scenario of Durant asking Magic to trade LBJ to a third team for pieces to put around Durant.

I have addressed — many times. So once again, that is a scenario as well. Myself and many have posted trades playing out that scenario.

It does add a level of complication. Adds a level of uncertainty with who and where James is traded. This thread is about exploring removing those and dealing directly with GSW.

In order to buy that, you have to believe that LBJ's current trade value is cap space. If his value is higher than cap space, you have both the Lakers and Durant behaving irrationally.