[WINDHORST]: Lakers May Need To Trade For LeBron This Summer

[madmaxmedia]

I think Lebron to the Cavs in a trade is a very realistic scenario this summer. A couple of things have to happen-
1. Lebron actually has to want to go there (I'm guessing he does.)
2. Cleveland keeps enough of their existing talent such that the trade makes them a true title contender the next 2 years.
3. But Lakers get enough to give them some pieces to start rebuilding with.

To me there is enough overlap of interests for a potential win-win-win for everyone. I think this actually happens.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Cavs fans would u do Allen/Levert for him this summer? Obviously u can wait it out but to get him a yr early while maintaining Mobley and Garland would be huge

Obviously prefer not to trade Allen but who knows what the FO would do to get Lebron this offseason assuming of course they want to mess with the current young team. I'm guessing the FO might do Love+Lavert+FRP type deal but that is just a wild guess. If Cavs don't extend Lavert they could also have FA money available in 2023 offseason when Love's contract falls off the books.

Cleveland would be foolish to trade Jerome Allen. Then again, I cannot say that without seeing what is offered. I do recall on JA's draft night, a former Wizard GM gave away the draft rights to the big C from Texas. Grunfeld. Wow.

On the Wizards board, some time earlier we lamented the day EG acquired both Andrew Nicholson and Jason Smith from Orlando. I foresaw, as did at least a few other regular posters, that EG move as poor roster construction. That blunder was later resolved when Grunfeld gave away the Jerome Allen pick plus Nicholson to the Nets...

The Nets at least got a stud player for Nicholson. Kyrie (before no vaccine) was an asset gain. Cleveland, however, got the better of the deal by far IMHO.

Jerome Allen is a Dale Davis/Steven Adams not-going-anywhere very solid NBA C.

But then again, This Draft is Full of Good to Great C prospects...

[srhcan]

Who Cavs needs to trade to Lakers for Lebron? I think Love + Sexton + 1 promising player

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I think Lebron to the Cavs in a trade is a very realistic scenario this summer. A couple of things have to happen-
1. Lebron actually has to want to go there (I'm guessing he does.)
2. Cleveland keeps enough of their existing talent such that the trade makes them a true title contender the next 2 years.
3. But Lakers get enough to give them some pieces to start rebuilding with.

To me there is enough overlap of interests for a potential win-win-win for everyone. I think this actually happens.

I agree with all of that but what about a return to Miami?

Riley has to step down some day. Lebron could take notes. Spoelstra would no doubt welcome King James back. Yes, i'm starting this rumor but is it not possible? Lebron might want to be player/coach by the time his son enters the league.

[srhcan]

being traded to Cavs make a lot of sense.....

The return package should be good enough for Lakers to say yes. Any combination of Love, Sexton, Markkanen, Levert + 1 promising player (Okoro) should do the trick. Cavs should not give up Garland, Allen and Mobley. Everybody else should be tradeable. If Cavs dont want to give up Okoro then 1 FRP + 1 SRP should be fine.

[madmaxmedia]

I think Lebron to the Cavs in a trade is a very realistic scenario this summer. A couple of things have to happen-
1. Lebron actually has to want to go there (I'm guessing he does.)
2. Cleveland keeps enough of their existing talent such that the trade makes them a true title contender the next 2 years.
3. But Lakers get enough to give them some pieces to start rebuilding with.

To me there is enough overlap of interests for a potential win-win-win for everyone. I think this actually happens.

I agree with all of that but what about a return to Miami?

Riley has to step down some day. Lebron could take notes. Spoelstra would no doubt welcome King James back. Yes, i'm starting this rumor but is it not possible? Lebron might want to be player/coach by the time his son enters the league.

I agree Miami would be the only other possible destination. I think given this will be his last couple of years, Cleveland makes more sense from a marketing/PR perspective (especially with the Bronny thing.) I think Lebron will actually end up playing with Bronny his last year, if Bronny was say a lottery level talent it would be a lot harder to line everything up. But as say a mid 2nd round talent, it won't be hard for Lebron's team to make it happen.

I don't know what a potential Miami trade would look like, maybe there is something there. I think a Cleveland trade would be a player and a pick, plus Kevin Love (who gets his own nice story, returning to LA to finish his career.) Love's contract helps a lot as it really helps with salary matching, and ends at the same time as Lebron.

[madmaxmedia]

being traded to Cavs make a lot of sense.....

The return package should be good enough for Lakers to say yes. Any combination of Love, Sexton, Markkanen, Levert + 1 promising player (Okoro) should do the trick. Cavs should not give up Garland, Allen and Mobley. Everybody else should be tradeable. If Cavs dont want to give up Okoro then 1 FRP + 1 SRP should be fine.

Right- they have to throw the Lakers a bone, otherwise they'll just sit tight with Lebron for his last year. But Cleveland can make it worthwhile for the Lakers, and still get more in return from the trade.

If Lebron had 2 more years left on his deal, the Lakers only move is to continue trying to maximize a roster around Lebron. But that's not the case, and if next year is not looking promising then no need for drag it out for the final year IMO.

[Kilroy]

LeBron and AD: "We want Westbrook! Go get him!"
Pelinka: "Wait... Are you guys sure?! We have other deals set up that we think will make us better and won't be virtually untradeable if they don't work out"
LeBron and AD: "Yes we're sure. Now, go get him!"

Time passes... **** basketball is played... Laker fans have had enough of watching Westbrook...

Trade deadline approaches:
LeBron and AD: "We aren't happy. Trade Westbrook."
Pelinka: "I'll do my best, but like I told you when we got him, he's virtually untradeable...."
LeBron and AD: "Don't care. Do your job, and trade him! And make us a championship team in the process!"
Pelinka: "How do you feel about John Wall"...

Deadline passes...

LeBron: "I didn't get what I wanted, so I might leave."

Laker fans: "Cleveland is over there... Bounce."

[lamscott]

LeBron and AD: "We want Westbrook! Go get him!"
Pelinka: "Wait... Are you guys sure?! We have other deals set up that we think will make us better and won't be virtually untradeable if they don't work out"
LeBron and AD: "Yes we're sure. Now, go get him!"

Time passes... **** basketball is played... Laker fans have had enough of watching Westbrook...

Trade deadline approaches:
LeBron and AD: "We aren't happy. Trade Westbrook."
Pelinka: "I'll do my best, but like I told you when we got him, he's virtually untradeable...."
LeBron and AD: "Don't care. Do your job, and trade him! And make us a championship team in the process!"
Pelinka: "How do you feel about John Wall"...

Deadline passes...

LeBron: "I didn't get what I wanted, so I might leave."

Laker fans: "Cleveland is over there... Bounce."

I'm with Kilroy here. Lol. This is probably what happened. Lebron is on his own island. No reports of Anthony Davis saying the same things. The defeaning silence speaks volumes.

[John Murdoch]

Cavs fans would u do Allen/Levert for him this summer? Obviously u can wait it out but to get him a yr early while maintaining Mobley and Garland would be huge

Obviously prefer not to trade Allen but who knows what the FO would do to get Lebron this offseason assuming of course they want to mess with the current young team. I'm guessing the FO might do Love+Lavert+FRP type deal but that is just a wild guess. If Cavs don't extend Lavert they could also have FA money available in 2023 offseason when Love's contract falls off the books.

Cleveland would be foolish to trade Jerome Allen. Then again, I cannot say that without seeing what is offered. I do recall on JA's draft night, a former Wizard GM gave away the draft rights to the big C from Texas. Grunfeld. Wow.

On the Wizards board, some time earlier we lamented the day EG acquired both Andrew Nicholson and Jason Smith from Orlando. I foresaw, as did at least a few other regular posters, that EG move as poor roster construction. That blunder was later resolved when Grunfeld gave away the Jerome Allen pick plus Nicholson to the Nets...

The Nets at least got a stud player for Nicholson. Kyrie (before no vaccine) was an asset gain. Cleveland, however, got the better of the deal by far IMHO.

Jerome Allen is a Dale Davis/Steven Adams not-going-anywhere very solid NBA C.

But then again, This Draft is Full of Good to Great C prospects...

Thats great but im talkin about Jarett Allen not Jerome old timer . Philly is prob a better trade partner anyways Tobias/Maxey

[Harcore Fenton Mun]

I'm sure the Cavs love the idea of Lebron coming back to a team he left in financial ruins, just in time to do it again. Only this time he can't win anything as the first option...so, uh. Not sure they do this.

Like, the idea of Lebron doing his garbage to your franchise while he's declining isn't appealing.

[TheAlchemist]

The Lakers really should do a full rebuild and have an exciting young team. They can get a lotttt of stuff.

Kevin Love's Expiring + Sexton + 2 or 3 first round picks for Lebron. If they can squeeze Allen they can try.

Anthony Davis to the highest bidder and they'll get a crap load of picks and young assets.

Then they got pretty much Westbrook and Love + whatever expiring coming off the table with some decent young pieces.

It's worth it.

[trueballer7]

No good team is trading for Charybdis.

[snoop88]

I mean I think LeBron really loves living in California and having his family there.

Not sure if his desire to “win” at this point in his career/life outweighs that. There isn’t much left to prove.

[LivingLegend]

The Lakers really should do a full rebuild and have an exciting young team. They can get a lotttt of stuff.

Kevin Love's Expiring + Sexton + 2 or 3 first round picks for Lebron. If they can squeeze Allen they can try.

Anthony Davis to the highest bidder and they'll get a crap load of picks and young assets.

Then they got pretty much Westbrook and Love + whatever expiring coming off the table with some decent young pieces.

It's worth it.

Hard Pass

--Cavs

Dan Gilbert has been hellbent on building a winner in Cleveland without LeBron since 2010--and he finally has it. I dont think Gilbert will be keen on piecing out his young winning team all with great personalities who want to be here, just to cater to LeBron for a 3rd time on a 2 year rental.

[NyKnicks1714]

Why would Windy phrase this so poorly?

[GWVan]

Which team will his Chinese masters direct him to go to?

[MindState]

I mean I think LeBron really loves living in California and having his family there.

Not sure if his desire to “win” at this point in his career/life outweighs that. There isn’t much left to prove.

If that was the case why are him and his camp being vocal about team changes? That doesent sound like a guy whos content with losing.

[Joker]

LeBron thinks he's a master 693D chess player & manipulator through "leaked" info and comments via the media and his cohorts (Klutch), but for me he's only a petulant child who runs away to greener pastures once his demands are not met and he senses a better opportunity somewhere else.

This is one of the main reasons LeBron will never be on the same pedestal as Jordan. It's as simple as that.

People conveniently forget Jordan fled Chicago to chase a chip with Kwame in D.C., which was even more shameless than Lebron going to Miami to team up with Bosh and Wade. Don’t join Kwame, beat him! (Kwame was drafted higher than both Bosh and Wade)

[tundraknight]

The Lakers really should do a full rebuild and have an exciting young team. They can get a lotttt of stuff.

Kevin Love's Expiring + Sexton + 2 or 3 first round picks for Lebron. If they can squeeze Allen they can try.

Anthony Davis to the highest bidder and they'll get a crap load of picks and young assets.

Then they got pretty much Westbrook and Love + whatever expiring coming off the table with some decent young pieces.

It's worth it.

Like others mentioned he already left the Cavs Twice for nothing. So he can just come back after next season for nothing when his contract is up if he wants to.

If you think it’s a good idea why don’t have your Raptors offer 2 or 3 First Round Picks and whatever filler/prospect you think is fair to include for a 1 year rental of Lebron who will be turning 38 next season.