LeBron James, Cavaliers
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LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers acknowledges the fans during a tribute video during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023.
After hinting at a possible trade demand if the Los Angeles Lakers fail to upgrade their roster into a championship contender, LeBron James would have the power to dictate where he lands next and probably end his career with his no-trade clause.
Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor could only think of one team that could provide James a storybook ending to his future Hall of Fame career. That is to return home to Cleveland, where it all started for him.
The Cavaliers were a 64-win team last season that flopped in the playoffs. James could return and ideally carry them over the hump for one last championship run in a full circle moment. But it’s easier said than done, starting with the complex trade framework.
Still, O’Connor urged the Cavaliers to go all-in on James.
“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,” O’Connor wrote on X. “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.”
LeBron Trade Could Help Cavaliers in in Short and Long Term
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers
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But O’Connor’s suggestion is akin to hitting two birds in one stone for the Cavaliers, who have not gotten past the second round with their existing core led by their tiny backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Garland despite their coaching change.
The Cavaliers have already tried to break up the Mitchell-Garland tandem by offering the latter in their failed bid to trade for Kevin Durant, O’Connor previously reported.
Giving up Garland and Allen for James is a no-brainer, though they are much younger than the soon-to-be 41-year-old Lakers star.
“Then again, Allen has folded in the playoffs and Garland is a tiny guard,” O’Connor continued. “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.”
Pressure on Lakers to Deliver Championship Roster
James put more pressure on the Lakers’ front office following Rich Paul’s comments explaining his top client’s decision to opt in instead of his customary opt-out and sign a new one-plus-one deal.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul told ESPN. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
It sounded like a “Thank you” and “Farewell” message.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future,” Paul continued. “We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania later added that James is “uncertain about the Lakers roster moving forward.”
With the Lakers short on draft capital and cap room, it’s hard to imagine they could be significantly better next season.
“LeBron James clearly is of the mindset that he wants to compete for a championship, and he’s going to be monitoring very closely on the Lakers going to make the moves that put them in position to seriously compete in that vaunted Western Conference,” Charania added. “And then if not, where do those conversations go, that becomes a subplot of this offseason Lakers.”