Cue a slew of LeBron James trade rumors. After LeBron’s agent, Rich Paul, made some very interesting comments to the media, some around the league are wondering if the Los Angeles Lakers star could be asking for a trade soon. One LeBron trade idea was proposed by NBA insider Kevin O’Connor, and it could turn the league on its head.
“LeBron James to the Cavaliers would require getting under the second apron, which would mean losing Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, and a third guy: probably Max Strus.
It’s a lot to give up for a player who may not put you over the top and may have only one year left. Then again, Allen has folded in the playoffs and Garland is a tiny guard. Could trading them be a low key salary dump for Cleveland? Then whenever LeBron retires, the front office would have cap flexibility to build next to Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley with better-fitting players than Allen and Garland. So in a strange way, adding LeBron could help optimize their short-term title odds while also helping in the longer term.
It’d be a complicated trade. A third team at least would have to be involved. A lot would have to go out. But if the chance is there, the Cavs should all-in on LeBron.”
This LeBron trade rumor could send a ripple effect through the NBA. If a second LeBron-Cavaliers reunion were to happen this offseason, the Cavaliers could instantly become the favorites in the Eastern Conference. They may already be.
O’Connor brings up some solid points on why a LeBron-Cavaliers trade could make sense. The Lakers could get some win-now players who are more aligned age-wise with Luka Dončić. The Cavaliers could get the veteran presence and future flexibility to raise their ceiling now and in the future.
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Until there is a LeBron trade request, all of these ideas are somewhat irrelevant. That being said, Rich Paul knew what he was doing when he implied LeBron could request a trade. This could be one trade destination that could work for both sides.
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