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Los Angeles Lakers: Possible trade packages for LeBron James

By Jason Reed

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands during a time out against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Lakers defeated the Bulls 123-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers stands during a time out against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on March 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. The Lakers defeated the Bulls 123-107. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Whatever you think LeBron James is worth in a trade it will probably be less. While James is still the face of basketball and is still considered to be at worst a top-three player in the league, he is not going to get some stellar return.

James is older and this year has proven that he cannot single handily lead a team to the Finals anymore. He still needs some star power in order to realistically contend and for a team to trade their best player, especially if they are younger, for James would not make sense in the long-term.

This trade is actually a decent return for James as the Lakers would be getting an established all-star in return in Bradley Beal as well as a very high draft pick.

The John Wall-Bradley Beal dynamic in Washington is not working and with Wall’s extension kicking in after this season there is no way the team can move him. There is no point of blowing the team up but keeping Wall so making an improvement in LeBron would be the best bet.

This would instantly make the Wizards a legitimate title contender. James has always played well with scoring guards, even if Wall’s need for the basketball would seemingly make this pairing not efficient.

In return, the Lakers get an all-star guy and still have the cap space to bring in someone around him. Maybe moving James would convince another star to actually come to the Lakers and not play in LeBron’s shadow.

This would also give the Lakers two picks within the top 10 with the Wizards’ pick currently projected to be eighth overall.