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Before I get to the gist of this story, let's make it clear that the Los Angeles Lakers will never trade LeBron James.
These are just crazy or out of the world scenarios being flung about the NBA after Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talked about the most untouchable players in the league. The only realistic way I see the Lakers trading LeBron James is if the superstar demands his way out of Los Angeles.
Kevin Durant’s business partner Rich Kleiman reacts to Steve Kerr leaving off KD from the truly untouchable NBA list that included:
• LeBron
• Steph Curry
• Giannis pic.twitter.com/Tfo3HlMTjZ— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 18, 2021
But if ever, say, in another universe LeBron James actually does ask for a trade, who could possibly be the team the Lakers partner with to get a transaction done? It’s certain that the Lakers will look for players that they can partner with Anthony Davis, who is set to be on the team for the next four years. The Lakers must look for players who can handle the ball and perhaps take over the guard position. Here’s who they can consider:
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for LeBron James
According to ESPN’s trade machine, this trade can actually work out for both teams. While it’s awkward to imagine The King wearing a Celtics jersey, this is a possible trade scenario that will benefit both teams, even if they hate each other. It’s also interesting to imagine if Celtics owner Danny Ainge would hold back on acquiring 36-year-old LeBron James, but who knows? Ainge is dead set on the growth of his young superstars specifically Tatum and possibly Brown.
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Jayson Tatum names four Lakers and no Celtics on NBA all-time starting five. 😂https://t.co/gOGNHtNeyN pic.twitter.com/ebI4hlq64w
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) March 31, 2020
The Lakers however, will be heartbroken. Sure, acquiring Tatum will be good for the next coming years but there’s no worse feeling than letting James go. But if we were to look at the benefits of this trade, the Lakers get two sharpshooters, clutch proven players and more offensive threats—something that would benefit around Davis.
Luka Doncic for LeBron James
It’s going to take a lot to pull off this trade (at least according to the trade machine) and there certainly must be another team involved, but how do you think the NBA reacts to this? By NBA, we mean fans, the 30 team owners, Adam Silver, etc. Will Marc Cuban even accept this in the first place despite already saying that he’s willing to leave his wife first before giving up Doncic? Who knows, but this trade scenario involving LeBron James would definitely shake up the league. The Mavs acquire an all-time legend while the Lakers get a young legend in the making.
https://twitter.com/DoctorNBA/status/1058095342347055107
There’s certainly a huge gap in the making but both Doncic and LeBron James have similar games. One thing the Mavs will receive however is the experience and leadership James has had throughout his career in exchange for Doncic’ youth. The Lakers meanwhile will certainly fill in James’ role with the team except a younger version in Doncic. Doncic would also work well with Davis, who requires a ball handler to operate at his best.
Ultimately, these are trade scenarios that will somehow be acceptable if ever all goes wrong in Laker land, which is hopefully unlikely. Don’t worry Laker fans, this doesn’t even seem like a possibility. LeBron James and the Lakers organization have built a fruitful working relationship, and it seems the superstar has already found a home in Laker land. It would take something truly extraordinary to change all of this. While the extraordinary can happen, don't expect it to.
