TRADING LEBRON WOULD MAKE LAKERS BETTER!While the best solution for the James and the Lakers would be for Pelinka to go all-in to compete to win a championship with Luka and LeBron this season, Mark Walter and the Lakers likely prefer to trade James before the season in order… pic.twitter.com/UV8xwOBI8j— LakerTom (@LakerTom) July 12, 2025
I agree that it would suck to lose LeBron for nothing. The biggest problem is the amount of contracts required. That Mav’s trade that’s been floated on the click bait circuit would never happen. The Mav’s won’t gut their depth for a year or 2 of LeBron. Same goes with the Cav’s. There are only two trades that would not gut a team. The Knicks could send Kat pretty much straight up. Maybe we get a pick. I’m not a fan of Kat. His defense lost the Pacers series. The other most likely trade would be LeBron and Bronny for Jimmy Butler. Maybe we get a 1st from the Warriors out of it as well. When Jimmy is not hurt he is still pretty good. He is a clutch scorer and would upgrade our perimeter defense at the 3. He has one more year left after this year on his contract. We also would have another roster spot available. I don’t think this trade would necessarily make us better but I could see the Lakers doing it if LeBron requests it.
I’m with you on KAT. Hard pass.
If you squint hard enough you can see it all working out to see James becoming a Warrior. The obstacle with that trade is the Lakers desire to keep the books as clean as possible for 26/27. Coupled with the difficulties moving Butler’s deal would present (older, famous for blowing up situations he doesn’t like, oft injured at this point) and one would understand the Lakers hesitation. I think they’d do it for 2 or so picks (1st and 2nd rounders maybe).
I think there’s an aspect to all this BS that folks are ignoring. The Lakers will, under no circumstances, trade LeBron unless he requests it. This is due both to their obvious desire to have him retire a Laker and his no trade clause. He’s not going to go a gutted Mavs team to play with AD and half a roster. He’s not going knows how that’s going to end. No Kyrie for most/all of the year doesn’t add to allure, either.
In short, if LeBron doesn’t like the result of the trade it will not happen. Doesn’t matter what else anyone thinks. He can veto it all on his own.
How is GS a better chance for a ring?
It doesn’t really. I guess it depends on how pissed off he is. He does have an affinity for high profile vets. He would have taken less for Klay last year. He’s good friends with Steph and Draymond. That could be appealing I guess. Still if he were honest he would see it as more of a lateral move.