The Los Angeles Lakers' offseason plans have seen a massive shift in energy following LeBron James' decision to opt in to his $52.6 million contract. With rising speculation that James would request a trade in the event of the Lakers failing to form a competitive roster, The Athletic's Fred Katz presented an unlikely trade proposal for the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire the star forward.
The LeBron James trade arc is becoming a major talking point in the offseason, especially after the several moves that have happened during the early days of free agency.
After opting into his contract with the Purple and Gold, the 40-year-old expressed that he would request a trade if the team didn't construct a roster fit to compete. By doing so, James effectively issued an ultimatum to the Lakers' front office.
Although the initial interest in the forward was quite low, there have been new inquiries coming in. This could be attributed to the Lakers' underwhelming effort in completing signings and trades, having only acquired Jake LaRavia and Deandre Ayton thus far.
The moves made by the front office haven't inspired any confidence in the fan base, thus increasing the likelihood of James demanding a trade before the new season begins.
With this possibility in mind, Fred Katz presented two potential trades that would effectively shake up the Western Conference by sending the Lakers' star to the Clippers.
Let's take a look at the two scenarios.
The Clippers Part Ways With 3 Role Players For LeBron James
In the more realistic of the two trade proposals, Katz presented the possibility of James being traded to the Clippers for three key role players.
Proposed Trade Details
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Derrick Jones Jr.
This trade has some merit for both teams. For the Clippers, the addition of James immediately completes their Big Three, with James headlining next to Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
James' averages of 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 8.2 assists are beyond impressive, especially at 40 years old. Seeing these stats transition into game play for the Clippers would significantly bolster their starting lineup.
Leonard's two-way ability pairs well with James' playmaking and scoring skills. With Harden also elevating the team's offense, the Clippers would undoubtedly be one of the best teams in the West. Additionally, James' experience of playing under Ty Lue would also become a valuable factor in this scenario.
But Katz acknowledged the major drawback the Clippers would face, which coincidentally would be to the Lakers' benefit.
The trio of Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Derrick Jones Jr. was immensely productive last season.
Powell is coming off a tremendous season, having averaged 21.8 points per game, emerging as the third scoring option for LA. Meanwhile, Bogdanovic continued to be a scoring threat off the bench, putting up an average of 10.8 points per game on shooting splits of 42.7% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc.
The efficacy of these two players is only supported by the defensive work of Jones Jr., who brings the added benefit of having been Luka Doncic's teammate. He averaged 10.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game, offering solid defensive support and reliable offense.
Each of these players had a vital role on the Clippers last season. By trading away all of these players for James, LA could be stunting the team's chances of developing and winning it all.
With a thinned-out bench rotation, the Clippers may be forced to overplay their starters, opening up the chances of injury derailing the season again.
The Clippers Swap Kawhi For LeBron
In a far more unlikely scenario, the Clippers and the Lakers may engage in a swap deal, sending Leonard to the Lakers and bringing James over to the Clippers. A trade of this nature has little long-term merit, apart from the short-term gain for the Clippers.
In the event of such a trade, the Clippers would acquire a 40-year-old James who is coming off a solid season and is still capable of carrying his weight on the offensive end.
His ability to impact the game is sustainable, and with the load of playmaking off his shoulders, the star is capable of focusing on scoring and facilitating offense for the shooters on the team.
Meanwhile, the Lakers would be taking on one of the league's most high-risk, high-reward stars.
Last season, the 35-year-old forward recorded an average of 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. These figures saw a significant rise in the playoffs when the forward carried the team against the Nuggets.
The potential fit of a player like Leonard next to Luka Doncic is incredible. With Doncic handling playmaking and the forward anchoring the defense, the Purple and Gold would become a threat to any team in the West.
But Leonard's health concerns and absences would be equally debilitating to the team. And should the forward suffer a serious injury and become sidelined for the season, the Lakers would face a major setback in the competitive environment of the Western Conference.
In summation, this trade could possibly help both teams improve. But the risks involved for the Purple and Gold may turn them away from accepting such a package.
What Is Next For LeBron James?
The future scenarios for LeBron James are heavily dependent on the Lakers' offseason activities moving forward. The addition of Ayton should inspire some hope in the team's competence heading into the next season.
But there still exists a necessity to make more significant moves. With the Andrew Wiggins trade still on the table, along with other moves to acquire backup centers, the Lakers' ongoing roster construction efforts will need to bear fruit soon.
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