The Los Angeles Lakers have completed a few free agent signings this summer and secured a rookie wing in a historic seven-team deal, but have yet to make a franchise-altering trade.
According to Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale, that could soon change.
In Favale’s newly-crafted trade proposal involving the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers would send a 6-foot-9 forward and a 6-foot-2 guard to the Nikola Jokic-led franchise after recent news surrounding the three-time MVP’s contract situation.
“Cue the ‘LeBron would never waive his no-trade clause to play in Denver’ truthers,” Favale wrote Wednesday. “And look, maybe they're right. Counterpoint: LeBron is a basketball sicko. He has to see the value in joining forces with Nikola Jokic. Bronny is also coming with LeBron. So, problem solved!”
“The resulting Nuggets team would be thinner by subbing out two rotation players (Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson) for one, but it's miles from untenable following the additions of Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. this offseason. Sending out (DaRon) Holmes would only sting if Jonas Valančiūnas really is a flight risk.”
“This is another situation in which a team is swapping out youth for LeBron entering his age-41 season. It is also another scenario in which said team might prefer this direction. Murray is set to begin his four-year, $207.8 million extension this coming season, and Watson is extension-eligible now.”
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For clarity, Favale’s trade proposal sends the James clan to the Nuggets for Murray, Watson, Holmes, and a 2028 first-round pick swap.
Will the Lakers ever trade James? It’s challenging to provide a definite answer to that question.
On July 2., Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico reported that an anonymous scout is 100% certain that Los Angeles will retain James even if he requests a change of scenery.
However, on Monday, the Athletic’s Jovan Buha stated that the 21-time All-Star’s relationship with the Lakers isn’t in a good place right now, which could make a potential trade a more realistic possibility.
If James and his 20-year-old son join Jokic on the Nuggets after the 30-year-old center informed Denver he wouldn’t sign an extension with the franchise, the Nuggets would undoubtedly return to contending status.
The younger James is still unproven in the big leagues, but his 40-year-old father can still shine in a superstar offensive role. James averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds per game, shooting 51.3% from the field and 37.6% from deep.
James and the Lakers must soon decide how to manage the remainder of the offseason.
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