DET - LAL - PHI (LeBron on the Move)

[bpcox05]

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DET Gets: Russell Wesbtrook, Matisse Thybulle, Jaden Springer, Paul Reed, 2022 PHI 1st (Pick Swap), 2023 PHI 1st (Unprotected), 2024 PHI 1st (Pick Swap), 2025 PHI 1st (Pick Swap if it doesn't convey), 2026 PHI 1st (Pick Swap), 2027 PHI 1st (Unprotected), & 2028 PHI 1st (Pick Swap)
DET Gives: Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk, Josh Jackson, & Cory Joseph
Why for DET? The Pistons lean further into their rebuild by selling off their win now vet while taking on a horrible contract in Wesbtrook (but does clear their books in 1.5 years), 3 young assets, and a plethora of picks & pick swaps over the next 7 years.

PG - Westbrook / Springer / Jackson / Lee
SG - Hayes / Diallo / McGruder
SF - Cunningham / Thybulle
PF - Bey / Reed / Lyles / Livers
C - Stewart / Garza

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LAL Gets: Ben Simmons, Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk, & Josh Jackson
LAL Gives: Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Kent Bazemore, & Trevor Ariza
Why for LAL? Lebron is just about to turn 37, and it's hard to imagine how much longer he can keep up his level of play. But even so, the Lakers (as currently constructed) do not look like title contenders. They have very few paths to improve the team considering how Westbrook is valued around the lead. The Lakers do right by LeBron and move him to a team that would instantly be favorites to win a championships while landing 25 year old Ben Simmons (who wants to play in CA) & 27 year old Jerami Grant to pair with 28 year old Anthony Davis long term. Simmons, Grant, and Davis would be a great SF-PF-C to close games. That's elite defense & versatility while Davis & Grant can also space the floor for Simmons. Olynyk also gives them a C who can space the floor further since Davis doesn't like to play C all that much in the regular season.


PG - Simmons / Bradley / Rondo / Reaves
SG - Nunn / Monk / Ellington
SF - Grant / Horton-Tucker / Jackson
PF - Davis / Anthony
C - Olynyk / Howard / Jordan

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PHI Gets: LeBron James, Cory Joseph, Kent Bazemore, & Trevor Ariza
PHI Gives: Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle, Jaden Springer, Paul Reed, 2022 PHI 1st (Pick Swap), 2023 PHI 1st (Unprotected), 2024 PHI 1st (Pick Swap), 2025 PHI 1st (Pick Swap if it doesn't convey), 2026 PHI 1st (Pick Swap), 2027 PHI 1st (Unprotected), & 2028 PHI 1st (Pick Swap)
Why for PHI? The 76ers move on from their disgruntled star and a lot of their young talent and future picks in an effort to pick up LeBron to help bring a championship to Philly. Curry, Green, & Harris would be great spacing for LeBron & Embiid. Even LeBron and Embiid can help space the floor for one another. This PHI team would give LeBron a much better chance at bringing home another title or two vs. if he were to stay with his current LA roster. With the emergence of Maxey, there's not many teams that can compete with their top 6 players (LeBron, Embiid, Harris, Maxey, Curry, & Green).

PG - Curry / Milton / Joseph
SG - Green / Maxey / Joe
SF - LeBron / Korkmaz / Bazemore
PF - Harris / Niang / Ariza
C - Embiid / Drummond / Bassey

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[Mavrelous]

You don't trade the King, the King trades you...

[bpcox05]

You don't trade the King, the King trades you...

Would the King prefer to go down with his kingdom or to rule over a better kingdom?

[Lovetron Joe]

In Philly, we clamor for Rich Paul clients!

[Laimbeer]

I'd do it for Detroit. But I think we'd need an agreement with Westbrook that he can stay home until a trade can be worked up. His style of play would be a real problem in Cade's development and I'm guessing LA to DET isn't his dream scenario.

[Resistance]

LAL Gets: Ben Simmons, Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk, & Josh Jackson
LAL Gives: Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Kent Bazemore, & Trevor Ariza
Why for LAL? Lebron is just about to turn 37, and it's hard to imagine how much longer he can keep up his level of play. But even so, the Lakers (as currently constructed) do not look like title contenders. They have very few paths to improve the team considering how Westbrook is valued around the lead. The Lakers do right by LeBron and move him to a team that would instantly be favorites to win a championships while landing 25 year old Ben Simmons (who wants to play in CA) & 27 year old Jerami Grant to pair with 28 year old Anthony Davis long term. Simmons, Grant, and Davis would be a great SF-PF-C to close games. That's elite defense & versatility while Davis & Grant can also space the floor for Simmons. Olynyk also gives them a C who can space the floor further since Davis doesn't like to play C all that much in the regular season.


PG - Simmons / Bradley / Rondo / Reaves
SG - Nunn / Monk / Ellington
SF - Grant / Horton-Tucker / Jackson
PF - Davis / Anthony
C - Olynyk / Howard / Jordan

I don't have any of Davis, Simmons and Grant as a #1 type of player, so I have them as an expensive ensemble rather than a true contender. Maybe the LAL ownership will accept that and maybe they won't.

[the_process]

LeBron isn't getting traded.

[bpcox05]

LAL Gets: Ben Simmons, Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk, & Josh Jackson
LAL Gives: Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Kent Bazemore, & Trevor Ariza
Why for LAL? Lebron is just about to turn 37, and it's hard to imagine how much longer he can keep up his level of play. But even so, the Lakers (as currently constructed) do not look like title contenders. They have very few paths to improve the team considering how Westbrook is valued around the lead. The Lakers do right by LeBron and move him to a team that would instantly be favorites to win a championships while landing 25 year old Ben Simmons (who wants to play in CA) & 27 year old Jerami Grant to pair with 28 year old Anthony Davis long term. Simmons, Grant, and Davis would be a great SF-PF-C to close games. That's elite defense & versatility while Davis & Grant can also space the floor for Simmons. Olynyk also gives them a C who can space the floor further since Davis doesn't like to play C all that much in the regular season.


PG - Simmons / Bradley / Rondo / Reaves
SG - Nunn / Monk / Ellington
SF - Grant / Horton-Tucker / Jackson
PF - Davis / Anthony
C - Olynyk / Howard / Jordan

I don't have any of Davis, Simmons and Grant as a #1 type of player, so I have them as an expensive ensemble rather than a true contender. Maybe the LAL ownership will accept that and maybe they won't.

Well I think you'd have to somewhat buy into Davis being the top guy on a contending team. I mean the guy did average 28 PPG with a 61% TS%. It's hard to find #1 type players that can beat that. I think this more boils down to people saying they don't have that traditional go-to perimeter scorer that people have come to know & love.

Even though they don't have an elite perimeter scorer, you'd have to admit that they could be pretty special defensively with a core of Simmons, Grant, & Davis.

[bpcox05]

LeBron isn't getting traded.

If I was LeBron and my main priority was winning championships, that Philly team gives me a much better shot.

I guess it depends on his priorities. If he values living in LA, LA marketing, movie deals, etc. over winning championships, then yeah I can see your point.

[Resistance]

LAL Gets: Ben Simmons, Jerami Grant, Kelly Olynyk, & Josh Jackson
LAL Gives: Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Kent Bazemore, & Trevor Ariza
Why for LAL? Lebron is just about to turn 37, and it's hard to imagine how much longer he can keep up his level of play. But even so, the Lakers (as currently constructed) do not look like title contenders. They have very few paths to improve the team considering how Westbrook is valued around the lead. The Lakers do right by LeBron and move him to a team that would instantly be favorites to win a championships while landing 25 year old Ben Simmons (who wants to play in CA) & 27 year old Jerami Grant to pair with 28 year old Anthony Davis long term. Simmons, Grant, and Davis would be a great SF-PF-C to close games. That's elite defense & versatility while Davis & Grant can also space the floor for Simmons. Olynyk also gives them a C who can space the floor further since Davis doesn't like to play C all that much in the regular season.


PG - Simmons / Bradley / Rondo / Reaves
SG - Nunn / Monk / Ellington
SF - Grant / Horton-Tucker / Jackson
PF - Davis / Anthony
C - Olynyk / Howard / Jordan

I don't have any of Davis, Simmons and Grant as a #1 type of player, so I have them as an expensive ensemble rather than a true contender. Maybe the LAL ownership will accept that and maybe they won't.

Well I think you'd have to somewhat buy into Davis being the top guy on a contending team. I mean the guy did average 28 PPG with a 61% TS%. It's hard to find #1 type players that can beat that. I think this more boils down to people saying they don't have that traditional go-to perimeter scorer that people have come to know & love.

Even though they don't have an elite perimeter scorer, you'd have to admit that they could be pretty special defensively with a core of Simmons, Grant, & Davis.

I also meant it in the sense of a #1 type of player having a spark/motor/drive that pushes average talent on the floor with him to overachieve.

I read enough LAL game threads to see that not many fans have faith in Davis being the lead (#1) to drag a a team to the top when LeBron is gone. Davis will show it at times, but not consistently.

[the_process]

LeBron isn't getting traded.

If I was LeBron and my main priority was winning championships, that Philly team gives me a much better shot.

I guess it depends on his priorities. If he values living in LA, LA marketing, movie deals, etc. over winning championships, then yeah I can see your point.

He could've come to Philly a few years ago. He would've won at least as much here as he would have/did in LA.

But winning wasn't the only thing to him. And I doubt that's changed.

[zimpy27]

Yeah that Philly team becomes instant favourite

[JLiv]

All I know is Detroit says yes

[vege]

let's break the deal for Detroit.

2022 PHI 1st (Pick Swap) - you can remove this from the trade, it's a joke.

2023 PHI 1st (Unprotected) - There is a huge chance this is the #30 pick.

2024 PHI 1st (Pick Swap), 2025 PHI 1st (Pick Swap if it doesn't convey), 2026 PHI 1st (Pick Swap) - 50/50 gamble. They're probably nothing, but if you like to play the lottery you could get something out of it. Not very enticing for me in particular.

2027 PHI 1st (Unprotected) - this COULD be something. But since Philly has no incentive to be bad, they'll try to be good, still, by far the best asset in the trade, I don't like it at all but you never know.

2028 PHI 1st (Pick Swap) - 50/50 gamble, not my thing.

Russell Wesbtrook - I would need multiple solid first round picks to take on his contract and the player, since he would be a nightmare for our rebuild.

Matisse Thybulle - 2nd best asset in the trade, I don't think he has a lot of value.

This is God awful return, I would never touch a deal like this. Yes people see a lot of 1st round picks and say wow this is great, high robbery, blablabla. This is a terrible package. Doesn't land you any positive assets imo.

[Ballerhogger]

Ben Simmons and grant are not selling points to trade for Lebron

[bpcox05]

I don't have any of Davis, Simmons and Grant as a #1 type of player, so I have them as an expensive ensemble rather than a true contender. Maybe the LAL ownership will accept that and maybe they won't.

Well I think you'd have to somewhat buy into Davis being the top guy on a contending team. I mean the guy did average 28 PPG with a 61% TS%. It's hard to find #1 type players that can beat that. I think this more boils down to people saying they don't have that traditional go-to perimeter scorer that people have come to know & love.

Even though they don't have an elite perimeter scorer, you'd have to admit that they could be pretty special defensively with a core of Simmons, Grant, & Davis.

I also meant it in the sense of a #1 type of player having a spark/motor/drive that pushes average talent on the floor with him to overachieve.

I read enough LAL game threads to see that not many fans have faith in Davis being the lead (#1) to drag a a team to the top when LeBron is gone. Davis will show it at times, but not consistently.

It’s a fair critique.

I just have a very hard time seeing this current Lakers team reaching a championship. Davis, Simmons, and Grant are all on the same timeline and trading LeBron now reminds me of Belichick’s philosophy of it being better to trade a player 1 year too early than 1 year too late.

LeBron will be 37 by the end of the year. They have very minimal flexibility and avenues to improve this team over the next couple years to bring it back to a championship caliber team.

[bpcox05]

LeBron isn't getting traded.

If I was LeBron and my main priority was winning championships, that Philly team gives me a much better shot.

I guess it depends on his priorities. If he values living in LA, LA marketing, movie deals, etc. over winning championships, then yeah I can see your point.

He could've come to Philly a few years ago. He would've won at least as much here as he would have/did in LA.

But winning wasn't the only thing to him. And I doubt that's changed.

That’s fair.

But when you say winning wasn’t the only thing, I guess I’m questioning if it’s even a “thing” now. I don’t see a path forward for this current Lakers roster to bring home a title and LeBron will be 37 by the end of the year.

LA might have been attractive to him for other non-basketball reasons along with being able to win a championship. Davis is a great #2 but with minimal young/promising talent, little to no picks, and the bulk of their non-star cap tied up in Westbrook who is a poor fit with LeBron and Davis, I’d argue that ability to win a championship in LA is now no longer a reality. And if it’s no longer a reality, is he really satisfied with staying there for the rest of his career?

[bpcox05]

let's break the deal for Detroit.

2022 PHI 1st (Pick Swap) - you can remove this from the trade, it's a joke.

2023 PHI 1st (Unprotected) - There is a huge chance this is the #30 pick.

2024 PHI 1st (Pick Swap), 2025 PHI 1st (Pick Swap if it doesn't convey), 2026 PHI 1st (Pick Swap) - 50/50 gamble. They're probably nothing, but if you like to play the lottery you could get something out of it. Not very enticing for me in particular.

2027 PHI 1st (Unprotected) - this COULD be something. But since Philly has no incentive to be bad, they'll try to be good, still, by far the best asset in the trade, I don't like it at all but you never know.

2028 PHI 1st (Pick Swap) - 50/50 gamble, not my thing.

Russell Wesbtrook - I would need multiple solid first round picks to take on his contract and the player, since he would be a nightmare for our rebuild.

Matisse Thybulle - 2nd best asset in the trade, I don't think he has a lot of value.

This is God awful return, I would never touch a deal like this. Yes people see a lot of 1st round picks and say wow this is great, high robbery, blablabla. This is a terrible package. Doesn't land you any positive assets imo.

Well first off I think it’s a bit disingenuous to ignore Springer and Reed. Springer was just taken 28th and Reed was the g league mvp last year. Both are probably worth late 1sts.

Thybulle is worth a 1st.

Then you have two unprotected 1sts. One which likely will be a late 1st but with LeBron’s age and Embiid’s injury history, I wouldn’t be so quick to accept that fate. The 2027 1st could be pretty attractive considering LeBron would be 42, Harris would be 34, and Embiid would be 32. And that’s assuming all of these guys are still on the team.

I’m fine discarding the 2022 pick swap. Agree there, but 4 additional pick swaps across 7 years has value. Do we expect Philly to be at the top all 7 years? Do we expect Detroit to be at the bottom all 7 years?

So it’s 5 1sts (most late) and 4 pick swaps. Seems like a great haul for a rebuilding team.

[Snakebites]

Yeah, put me in the camp of folks who think the notion of trading Lebron is pretty silly- it isn't going to happen.

Purely for the Pistons, I agree that we'd need some sort of handshake agreement with Russ- he won't want to play in Detroit and would make it even harder to develop our younger guys (we're already facing something of an uphill battle where that is concerned as is).

[bpcox05]

Yeah, put me in the camp of folks who think the notion of trading Lebron is pretty silly- it isn't going to happen.

Purely for the Pistons, I agree that we'd need some sort of handshake agreement with Russ- he won't want to play in Detroit and would make it even harder to develop our younger guys (we're already facing something of an uphill battle where that is concerned as is).

There’s a fair amount of people saying it won’t happen, it’s silly, etc. but not a lot of people actually providing reasoning.