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Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns get together after a play during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
TheLos Angeles Lakers have a few key issues thatwill need to be addressed this offseason, and if the rumors of LeBron James leaving as a free agent are true, adding wing depth will be a priority.
While the idea of the two playing on the same team together might not sound too realistic, the Lakers were recently urged to trade for Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns, and while he is a long-time rival of James, he would arrive in Los Angeles as the 41-year-old’s replacement next season.
Brooks is having a career year and could be a solid 3-and-D threat next to the expected Lakers duo of the future in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Lakers Dillon Brooks Trade Idea
Dillon Brooks LeBron James
GettyPHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 14: An official comes between Lebron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dillon Brooks #3 of the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center on December 14, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Writing for Bleacher Report, here is the Brooks to Los Angeles trade idea Greg Swartz proposed:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Dillon Brooks
Phoenix Suns Receive: F Jake LaRavia, G/F Dalton Knecht, G Adou Thiero, 2026 first-round pick (projected No. 25 overall)
For the Lakers, it’s pretty straightforward. They’d have to punt on Knecht, Thiero, and a pick, as well as give up LaRavia, but at the chance to add Brooks, who is both a top-tier defender and shown to be a proven scorer this season, it doesn’t feel like a major risk if it means vaulting the team into true title contention.
“If LeBron James leaves the Lakers in free agency, the team will need a new starting power forward. As hilarious as it would be for Brooks to join forces with James, he’d still be a great fit as a defender and complementary scorer next to Luka Dončić,” Swartz wrote. “The 30-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career for the Suns, averaging 20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals.”
This isn’t the first time Brooks has been linked to the Lakers.
While his long history and rivalry with James could have previously been a reason for the team not to trade for him, without the oldest player in the league, Los Angeles will strictly prioritize players who fit around Doncic, and Brooks would be one of them.
He is set to make just under $20 million next season, and if he can perform at a similar level to whathe’s shown this season, adding his presence on the wing shouldstrongly be considered by the Lakers this offseason.
LeBron James On The Way Out
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James during an NBA game.
GettyLeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to his teammate during the first quarter of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on March 5, 2026 in Denver, Colorado.
In the past, Los Angeles would likely consult James on any potential trades, but after signing Doncic to a new contract extension, he appears now to be the priority, leaving the league’s all-time leading scorer on the outside.
While rumors of James leaving the Lakers as a free agent this summer are nothing new, all signs point to those rumors becoming facts.
Recently speaking on his show, team insider Jovan Buha said a James Lakers exit feels more real now than ever.
“There’s always been speculation he might go here or go there, or maybe finish his career in Cleveland. So that buzz has always been out there,” Buha said. “But I think it feels more real right now than it has at any point before.”
There is an expectation that the Lakers will prioritize a new contract for Reaves in free agency, and the numbers show that the team has been better when James is off the court.
With that, the team will need to find new wing players to take the 41-year-old’s spot. While they were linked to several other 3-and-D wings in the lead-up to the trade deadline, making a move for someone like Brooks might be something to consider for Rob Pelinka and the decision-makers.