Los Angeles Lakers: Building the perfect team around LeBron James in LA
By Jason Reed
The star guard: Paul George
Every LeBron James super team dating back to the Miami Heat has had some sort of star guard. Thus, it is understandable why this Cavaliers team is the weakest team LeBron has been on, it is lacking that star guard.
In Miami, the star guard was Dwyane Wade. Although Wade was no longer in his prime and took a slight step back, he offered an alternative to take pressure off of LeBron in key moments. In Cleveland, that star guard was Kyrie Irving, who had that same ability to take over games when LeBron needed a break.
That was supposed to be Isaiah Thomas this year. Although Thomas was hurt to begin the year, upon his return, he was supposed to bring that same scoring prowess to take pressure off of LeBron. The year prior, he was one of the NBA’s best scorers. However, with the Cavs, Thomas was a dud.
On the Lakers, that should be none other than the other most rumored star, Paul George.
The best way to accomplish this superstar tandem and still have space to sign other stars is by a sign and trade deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. This would have to be orchestrated by LeBron and George, though, as the Lakers cannot tamper with George.
George, who can opt out of his deal anyway, can bargain with the Thunder to make a sign and trade deal that would at least get them something for George. This, in turn, would open cap space for the Lakers while only needing to pay a relatively low price.
Los Angeles can package Luol Deng and Josh Hart with a future first-rounder (which won’t be that good anyway with LeBron and George on the team). The Lakers open cap space in Deng and upgrade significantly from Hart to George.