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Los Angeles Lakers: The only returns worth trading LeBron James for

By Jason Reed

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up to shoot and gets fouled by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up to shoot and gets fouled by Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of their NBA Basketball game at ORACLE Arena on December 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. The first overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft

For the first time ever in LeBron James’ entire career, his team would not be crazy if they traded him for the first overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft. And also for the first time in his career, whoever has the first overall pick would undoubtedly hang up the phone if the Lakers presented this trade.

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Pick any other draft in LeBron’s career without the tool of hindsight and there is not a chance that his current team at the time, whether it be the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat, would trade him for the first overall pick.

There are two reasons for this shift. First is probably the most anticipated rookie that the NBA has had since LeBron himself, Zion Williamson.

Zion is an absolute freak and already showed at Duke that he could come into the league at an all-star level as early as his rookie season. There is a good group of people that think Williamson will be the best player in the league over the next 15 years, as LeBron has been the during his best 15 years.

The second reason this would never happen is LeBron’s age. No team that would get the first overall pick would need an aging LeBron that cannot really do anything over the next three years. It would be a massive waste of his talent and would make the team better right away, but would be foolish in the long run.

This definitely will not happen and any Laker fan that wants to say that LeBron is worth more than the first overall pick has some homer bias.

Next. Star players to avoid signing. dark

However, it shows that the Los Angeles Lakers should have a very, very hefty asking price for James if they even consider moving him at any point. If they are not getting one of these two returns, it is not worth it.

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