The Los Angeles Lakers made key additions to their roster this offseason, with the signings of Marcus Smart, Deandre Ayton, and Jake LaRavia.
Adding these guys strengthened their core, which is led by their two-headed monster, LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
Although this core hasn’t even played a game together, Athlon Sport’s Nathaniel Holloway is already predicting that one half of the monster will be shipped off before the deadline.
“While the Lakers have shown no interest in trading James this offseason, that could change during the regular season, especially if another team offers them a massive trade package for him,” Holloway said Wednesday.
“Of course, the future Hall of Fame forward is still playing at a high level as he enters his 23rd NBA season, but he is also entering the final season of his contract with the Lakers. Because of this, Los Angeles could look to move him ahead of the deadline instead of potentially letting him walk in free agency next summer.”
That’s right, LeBron James was predicted to be traded away before even playing a full season with Dončić.
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Right now, James is not the main guy on the roster, which has never happened in his historic career.
When the Lakers traded for Luka, they were preparing for a life after James, but this exact trade is what may push James out the door earlier than expected.
Perhaps a few front offices around the league will pick up on his frustration and send the Lakers an offer that is too much to refuse.
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