Silly hot take but...would LA be better off selling high on Bron?

[Cappy_Smurf]

Good luck ever signing another big name FA. There's really only one way LeBron gets traded and that's if he asks for a trade.

I also find it pretty ridiculous how much Laker fans want to place all the blame on Lebron for their chemistry issues. Nobody in their right mind would rather keep those young guys if they could trade them for AD. LeBron wants to win and doesn't have several years to wait for youngsters to develop. It was never realistic to expect all those young players to develop overnight just because they would be playing next to LeBron.

The only way you build a win-now team is to trade for/sign another big name, at least, and probably two. It's kind of a shame that the Lakers can't operate without having all their business become public knowledge, but that sure as hell isn't on LeBron. I'm guessing that NO's FO had a lot to do with that, and I think it's somewhat understandable considering the circumstances. Everybody knew or should have known when they signed LeBron that the plan wouldn't be to spend several years waiting for players to develop. If that's what they wanted, they should have never signed LeBron in the first place.

I also think Laker fans should be careful what they wish for. This whole buyers remorse thing going on in LA is built on a foundation of unrealistic expectations, just like believing 4 young players would develop in a few months playing with LeBron. It's always possible that one or two of those young guys break out and LA becomes a powerhouse again, but it's much more likely that they'd become a good team that reaches a ceiling of a 1st or 2nd round exit.

To me, this really isn't close to being a legitimate question. You guys signed the best player in the game last year and any question you may have is just overthinking things. The real problem in LA isn't LeBron, but unrealistic expectations from the fan base.

[yellowknifer]

No they shouldn't. They should consider revamping their basketball operations though.

[rugbyrugger23]

To GSW: James

To Wolves: Ingram + Ball + Iggy + 2019 GSW 1st

To Lakers: Green + Covington + Teague + 2019 Wolves 1st + 2021 GSW 1st

Lakers go after 1x max free agent -- Butler would look good (assuming KD+Irving go to Knicks, Kawhi to Clippers, Walker stays home). With Butler (or any 1x max free agent), Lakers still have 5mil+ in cap space for a vet on expiring deal.
C: Vet
F: Green
F: Covington
G: Butler
G: Teague
6: Kuzma

OR

Teague (expiring) + Kuzma + Hart + Lakers #10 + Wolves #11 + 2021 Lakers 1st + 2021 GSW 1st for Davis
C: Davis
F: Green
F: Covington
G: Butler
G: Vet

this might be the most lopsided proposal of the season.. any gm that made that move for the Lakers should be burned at the stake

I know you are saying that to sensationalize your POV — I get it.

I am in the camp James doesn’t have the value you or many think. So let’s break down this trade...

Ingram + Ball for Covington + Wolves 1st

This has been discussed many times here on RGM. Frankly I agree with those who think that is a Wolves overpay. But non the less, close enough in value.

If Lakers are winning that part of trade already, and then they get Green + a future 1st and cap space for James, personally I don’t think they get much better.

However, to your sensationalized POV, like or don’t like a trade, I get it, but lol at ‘this might be the most lopsided proposal of the season.. any gm that made that move for the Lakers should be burned at the stake’ really, really cheapens your words.

[JB2]

To GSW: James

To Wolves: Ingram + Ball + Iggy + 2019 GSW 1st

To Lakers: Green + Covington + Teague + 2019 Wolves 1st + 2021 GSW 1st

Lakers go after 1x max free agent -- Butler would look good (assuming KD+Irving go to Knicks, Kawhi to Clippers, Walker stays home). With Butler (or any 1x max free agent), Lakers still have 5mil+ in cap space for a vet on expiring deal.
C: Vet
F: Green
F: Covington
G: Butler
G: Teague
6: Kuzma

OR

Teague (expiring) + Kuzma + Hart + Lakers #10 + Wolves #11 + 2021 Lakers 1st + 2021 GSW 1st for Davis
C: Davis
F: Green
F: Covington
G: Butler
G: Vet

this might be the most lopsided proposal of the season.. any gm that made that move for the Lakers should be burned at the stake

I know you are saying that to sensationalize your POV — I get it.

I am in the camp James doesn’t have the value you or many think. So let’s break down this trade...

Ingram + Ball for Covington + Wolves 1st

This has been discussed many times here on RGM. Frankly I agree with those who think that is a Wolves overpay. But non the less, close enough in value.

If Lakers are winning that part of trade already, and then they get Green + a future 1st and cap space for James, personally I don’t think they get much better.

However, to your sensationalized POV, like or don’t like a trade, I get it, but lol at ‘this might be the most lopsided proposal of the season.. any gm that made that move for the Lakers should be burned at the stake’ really, really cheapens your words.

Sensational response.

Ingram and Ball, while not nearly the young prospects Luka or Simmons are, are not just some young throw in players who are on their last leg as NBA guys and the team is risking trading for guys that may not be in the NBA much longer. Ingram, for example, has shown since the all star break signs of all stardom. It looked like he finally arrived. Lonzo before he went down was playing at a high high level that cane and did have a huge impact on play.

Unless you overvalue the Minny draft pick in what is a weak draft outside Zion (and maybe RJ and Morant), Covington, the role player he is, is not nearly enough for the Lakers to trade their best 2 trade assets for. Those are the pieces they want to use to get AD. Hell, just sign Butler and run a line up Lonzo/Butler/Ingram/LeBron/Kuzma to close games.

But what you proposed is trading a top 5 player in the NBA, your two best young pieces, and a future first for a low lotto pick this year, and a bunch of role players, none of which can do anything to help win games without having that star they are playing around. Asking Minny how Teague is doing. Already mentioned Covington. And then then Draymond Green who is already slowing down and is going to want a max deal. I don't care who sign, that lineup is not a championship contender and you've left them with no upside or future to speak of.

[clippertown]

The Clippers are the only realistic option to unload LeBron. He came voluntarily to LA and it would be franchise suicide to trade him anywhere but to another LA based team. Fortunately, the Clips could and would help out.

LAC IN = LBJ
LAC OUT = SGA + Robinson + Miami 2021 + Philly 2020 + Cap Space

The Lakers get a few more years to develop their young players, get two solid young rotation players and a couple more picks (including one high potential pick from Miami). They even have a few second round picks if necessary.

The Clippers get LBJ and have room for another max player (ideally Kawhi) plus enough space to fill out the roster nicely.

LAC Lineup:

C = Zubac / Harrell
PF = Gallo / Green
SF = LBJ / Temple
SG = Kawhi / Lou
PG = Beverley / Shamet

[jayjaysee]

The Clippers are the only realistic option to unload LeBron. He came voluntarily to LA and it would be franchise suicide to trade him anywhere but to another LA based team. Fortunately, the Clips could and would help out.

LAC IN = LBJ
LAC OUT = SGA + Robinson + Miami 2021 + Philly 2020 + Cap Space

The Lakers get a few more years to develop their young players, get two solid young rotation players and a couple more picks (including one high potential pick from Miami). They even have a few second round picks if necessary.

The Clippers get LBJ and have room for another max player (ideally Kawhi) plus enough space to fill out the roster nicely.

LAC Lineup:

C = Zubac / Harrell
PF = Gallo / Green
SF = LBJ / Temple
SG = Kawhi / Lou
PG = Beverley / Shamet

Beyond ignoring the salary cap, I agree with the Clips being the only team you should trade LBJ to keep appearances

Edits/

[rugbyrugger23]

The Clippers are the only realistic option to unload LeBron. He came voluntarily to LA and it would be franchise suicide to trade him anywhere but to another LA based team. Fortunately, the Clips could and would help out.

LAC IN = LBJ
LAC OUT = SGA + Robinson + Miami 2021 + Philly 2020 + Cap Space

The Lakers get a few more years to develop their young players, get two solid young rotation players and a couple more picks (including one high potential pick from Miami). They even have a few second round picks if necessary.

The Clippers get LBJ and have room for another max player (ideally Kawhi) plus enough space to fill out the roster nicely.

LAC Lineup:

C = Zubac / Harrell
PF = Gallo / Green
SF = LBJ / Temple
SG = Kawhi / Lou
PG = Beverley / Shamet

Beyond ignoring the salary cap, I agree with the Clips being the only team you should trade LBJ to keep appearances

Edits/

I don't think the Clippers make any sense. If Kawhi (or any superstar) wants to play with James in LA -- they just sign with the Lakers. That way the Lakers (the team they sign on to play with James) is still holding the youth for a consolidation win-now trade. And that player will be a lot better than Gallinari.

[jayjaysee]

The Clippers are the only realistic option to unload LeBron. He came voluntarily to LA and it would be franchise suicide to trade him anywhere but to another LA based team. Fortunately, the Clips could and would help out.

LAC IN = LBJ
LAC OUT = SGA + Robinson + Miami 2021 + Philly 2020 + Cap Space

The Lakers get a few more years to develop their young players, get two solid young rotation players and a couple more picks (including one high potential pick from Miami). They even have a few second round picks if necessary.

The Clippers get LBJ and have room for another max player (ideally Kawhi) plus enough space to fill out the roster nicely.

LAC Lineup:

C = Zubac / Harrell
PF = Gallo / Green
SF = LBJ / Temple
SG = Kawhi / Lou
PG = Beverley / Shamet

Beyond ignoring the salary cap, I agree with the Clips being the only team you should trade LBJ to keep appearances

Edits/

I don't think the Clippers make any sense. If Kawhi (or any superstar) wants to play with James in LA -- they just sign with the Lakers. That way the Lakers (the team they sign on to play with James) is still holding the youth for a consolidation win-now trade. And that player will be a lot better than Gallinari.

I mean that kind of ignores the idea of the OP that the Lakers don’t sign a free agent. And Gallo wouldn’t be on the team if they had signed Leonard and were trading for LBJ.. And probably one only of Temple/Bev/Green. That’s why I mentioned the salary cap.

Ignoring the OP - If the Lakers could sign Leonard, they could build a better trio since they already have LeBron. Doesn’t sound controversial.

[BuzzCity]

I’ve been saying this the last couple weeks...Lebron is a 1B to MJ’s 1A...however, Lakers already experienced Kobe’s 2yr $50mill deal and saw what that got them...sure, they might still get a free agent this year to pair up with Lebron, but I don’t see that happening.

With Ingram’s health in question, I honestly think it’s foolish to not at least consider this an option.

I’d look at it this way...I don’t target a sign and trade. Best case in my opinion is if Kawhi told Toronto he’s not resigning. Sign and trade him straight up for Lebron. Toronto would still be a great team in the East. Lakers could then pair Kawhi with KD for example. I think it’s a win win for everybody but Lebron haha

[clippertown]

I think a lot of players do not relish the idea of playing for a Lakers team that already has LeBron. Its a bandwagon move. The Clippers on the other hand are not the Lakers and even a superteam wont get the same scrutiny.

I could see many players wanting to play with LBJ on the Clippers but not the Lakers.

[rugbyrugger23]

Beyond ignoring the salary cap, I agree with the Clips being the only team you should trade LBJ to keep appearances

Edits/

I don't think the Clippers make any sense. If Kawhi (or any superstar) wants to play with James in LA -- they just sign with the Lakers. That way the Lakers (the team they sign on to play with James) is still holding the youth for a consolidation win-now trade. And that player will be a lot better than Gallinari.

I mean that kind of ignores the idea of the OP that the Lakers don’t sign a free agent. And Gallo wouldn’t be on the team if they had signed Leonard and were trading for LBJ.. And probably one only of Temple/Bev/Green. That’s why I mentioned the salary cap.

Ignoring the OP - If the Lakers could sign Leonard, they could build a better trio since they already have LeBron. Doesn’t sound controversial.

I get the point -- I just think if Kawhi wanted to play with James he would sign with Lakers. And if he doesn't want to he signs with Clippers. If that is the case, Logo would be pretty mean then trading for James. Not sure Kawhi is anti James.

[bulliedog8]

Nuggets get: Lebron

Lakers get: Milsap, Harris, MPJ, and 2 future 1sts


Nuggets are deep and wouldnt hurt at all from doing this trade. Gives the nuggets finals contenders easy.

Lakers get Milsap for salary filler. Harris is a legit role playing starter. MPJ is the boom or bust player. and the picks, but they will be between 26-30 unfortunately.

Lakers get deep and have max money for guys in 2020 with milsap off the books.

[Trader_Joe]

Hayward + Tatum

Irving
Brown
LBJ
Morris
Horford

[The Rebel]

Nuggets get: Lebron

Lakers get: Milsap, Harris, MPJ, and 2 future 1sts


Nuggets are deep and wouldnt hurt at all from doing this trade. Gives the nuggets finals contenders easy.

Lakers get Milsap for salary filler. Harris is a legit role playing starter. MPJ is the boom or bust player. and the picks, but they will be between 26-30 unfortunately.

Lakers get deep and have max money for guys in 2020 with milsap off the books.

I think you are dramatically over valuing the price a 34-35 year old Lebron will bring back, especially with the results from this season.

[JB2]

Look, if the right deal came about, I think you have to consider it...

However, it's foolish.

Whether for not you can sign KD, Kawhi, Klay, or Kyrie doesn't mean other options are a failure. I would imagine those guys are all part of plan A. Plan B, Jimmy or Kemba is also not terrible. Even if that doesn't happen, Plan C of signing quality veterans/shooters, etc can still yield huge results so long as health permits (lakers had terrible luck with that this year) and the kids step u.

Lets just say you can sign DeAndre Jordan, Patrick Beverly, and Danny Green for some combination of your $36-38MM cap space (all on multi year deals),and then Dedmon with he exception, give LeBron those guys and then the young kids, and they are a top 4 team just like they were this year before injuries ripped them apart. If KD leaves GS, and the kids continue to ascend (looking at Ingram and Ball) they can maybe come out of the west.

No reason to act so doom and gloom about LeBron in LA. One bad year, but ti can be righted. AD trade is still out there, the have a health cap, all their picks, and BI was starting to look like a monster. Healthy and they were a threat to anybody.

[BoogieTime]

I think his value is being inflated a bit. His play is really depreciating, I don’t think he gets a ton on that contract

[Showtime:Part2]

We will never sign a star fa again if we trade him. If he demands a trade and picks the teams he will accept playing for, then we lose all leverage and get peanuts. We are stuck with him. Only trade that makes sense is if New York lands Kyrie and kd, and lbj demands a trade there. Send him there for Knox, 2019 first and salary

[rugbyrugger23]

The craziest but most well fitting destination for James...Utah Jazz.

Mitchell would be his Wade as he would be aged Shaq. Gobert behind him at the rim. Ingles shooting next to him.

Favors + Allen + Crowder + 2019 & 2021 & 2023 1sts

James would find himself a short flight from LA. Home games would be played with an amazing fan base that would accept his aging skill set gracefully — truly might be polar opposite of LA fan base. Imagine how endearing the Utah fans would be forever towards James if he delivered them a ring?

C: Gobert
F: James
F: Ingles
G: Exum
G: Mitchell
6: Korver

Add a quality exception level player and a few ring chasers and that team challenges GSW.

[Crives]

If no major fa this summer then definitely, but it would be FA suicide moving forward

[mademan]

Lebron is powerful enough that no team is going to trade for him without him wanting to play there. Even without a NTC