NBA Trade Idea Moves LeBron James in Lakers-Cavaliers Blockbuster
After NBA legend LeBron James picked up his 2025-26 player option with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, issued a very cryptic statement to Shams Charania of ESPN.
“LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” Paul said. “He knows the Lakers are building for the future. He understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.
“We understand the difficulty in winning now while preparing for the future. We do want to evaluate what’s best for LeBron at this stage in his life and career. He wants to make every season he has left count, and the Lakers understand that, are supportive and want what’s best for him.”
Some people in NBA circles believe James could request a trade from the Lakers this offseason. The leading scorer in NBA history has a no-trade clause in his contract, so he would have full control of his trade request.
If James asks out of Los Angeles, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers trade for The King.
Cavaliers get: LeBron James
Lakers get: Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and De’Andre Hunter
Any third team: for salary filler
James has played for the Cavaliers twice. He’s the best player in franchise history and from Akron, Ohio.
“In terms of fairy tale endings, LeBron James returning to his home area to finish his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers exactly 10 years after winning the franchise’s first and only NBA championship is something even Disney executives dream of,” Swartz wrote. “Moving back to the Eastern Conference, one that will be without Jayson Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton and Damian Lillard for most or all of the entire season with torn Achilles’, presents a far greater opportunity to return to the Finals as well. The West is only growing stronger with Kevin Durant traded to the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks landing Cooper Flagg in the draft.
“The Cavs won 64 games last season before injuries derailed their chances of making it past the Indiana Pacers. Donovan Mitchell (three years) and Evan Mobley (five years) are both starting new max extensions and together would form one of the best Big Threes in the entire NBA with James.”
Despite being the oldest player in the NBA, James is still an elite player. The four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.6 blocks for the Lakers last season and made the All-NBA Second Team.
The Cavaliers were the first seed in the East last season, but they lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs in five games. James could be the missing piece for Cleveland to win it all again.
A future Hall of Famer, James last played for the Cavaliers from 2014-15 to 2017-18. He led the franchise to its lone championship in 2016 against the Golden State Warriors.
It will be fascinating to see where James is playing next season.
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