Los Angeles Lakers: Possible trade packages for LeBron James
By Jason Reed
As absurd as it sounds, the idea of the Los Angeles Lakers trading LeBron James has at least become feasible despite a possible trade being so hard to conceive.
When the Los Angeles Lakers added LeBron James the narrative instantly switched over to what superstar the team would bring in alongside James to contend for the title. The plan seemed to be Paul George — a plan that blew up and effectively threw everything off when he signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The narrative then shifted to a potential trade. Trading for Kawhi Leonard was a fun talking point for a little bit despite all of us knowing that the San Antonio Spurs would likely never trade Leonard to the rivaled Lakers.
The speculation then died down for some time before Anthony Davis‘ agent, (and LeBron’s friend) Rich Paul, made it public that Davis had demanded a trade out of LA. Trade talks then ensued before the two teams, only for the reports to come out and burn the chemistry in the locker room.
Everything has been about who the Lakers should bring in alongside LeBron James. However, after all of these failed talks, the idea of trading James himself became feasible.
Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report claimed that the idea of trading James at least crossed Lakers’ owner Jeanie Buss’ mind in order to cut ties with Paul.
Nothing obviously happened and we want to go on the record and state that we do not think the Lakers will or even should trade LeBron James. That completely defeats the purpose of what the Lakers are trying to do, even if some Laker fans (and Kobe diehards) want to see him out of LA.
It is highly unlikely and not very smart but it got us thinking regardless: what could the Lakers get in return for LeBron James? Here are two possible packages, one from each conference.