Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Sends LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler to Cleveland Cavaliers
A blockbuster NBA trade idea sending LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler to the Cleveland Cavaliers has been created.
NBA writer Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets:
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected via Miami Heat) and save $27.2 million
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Lauri Markkanen, De’Andre Hunter, Max Strus
Utah Jazz Receive: Darius Garland, Maxi Kleber
Charlotte Hornets Receive: Jarrett Allen
Brooklyn Nets Receive: Grant Williams, Jarred Vanderbilt, 2027 first-round pick (top-2 protected via Dallas Mavericks)
LeBron has played for the Cavaliers twice. He’s the best player in franchise history and will get his No. 23 jersey retired by the organization one day.
For this NBA trade idea to happen, LeBron has to request a trade from the Lakers and tell Rob Pelinka to trade him to the Cavaliers. The basketball icon has a no-trade clause in his contract. He’ll make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his deal.
“This is a complete blow-up of the roster for Cleveland while still keeping Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley around James,” Swartz wrote. “Reaves (20.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists) takes over Garland’s starting spot in the backcourt next to Mitchell, and Kessler (11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.4 blocks) is the successor to Allen at center.
“Both Reaves and Kessler will need new contracts and significant raises next summer, although James’ expiring $52.6 million contract allows the Cavs some flexibility to get new deals done. Cleveland also gets a future first-round pick and would have $8.6 million leftover to sign two players.”
LeBron turns 41 in December. Yes, he’s the oldest active player in the NBA, but he did make the All-NBA Second Team and finish sixth in MVP voting last season.
LeBron is still one of the best players in the NBA and the Cavaliers are getting Reaves and Kessler in this trade idea, too.
The Cavaliers were the No. 1 seed in the East last season. They swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs but lost to the Indiana Pacers in the conference semifinals in five games, losing Games 1, 2 and 5 at home.
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