Times are uncertain for the Los Angeles Lakers following another playoff heartbreaker to end their 2023 season. Almost immediately after the team’s 106-108 loss to the Denver Nuggets, rumors began swirling around the club after LeBron James declined to comment on a question about his future in Los Angeles, leaving social media in a frenzy with many left wondering if LeBron’s time in Los Angeles has come to an end.
Following the loss, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham stated, “It’s been a hell of a two years sitting in this seat. I’ll tell you that.” Ham sealed the fate of the situation with this quote, with his eventual firing soon ensuing on Friday afternoon. https://x.com/wojespn/status/1786456732589297810
The Lakers have consistently underperformed with Anthony Davis and LeBron, and the situation is worsening in Los Angeles with questions surrounding the team as a whole. Cleveland has underperformed in their own right, losing in five quick games to the New York Knicks in 2023 and losing three of the last four to the Orlando Magic in the first round of the playoffs.
With Ham on the way out, and the Lakers left looking to their fourth coach in seven years, could LeBron be on the move as well after another shortened playoff run?
Why LeBron James Could Welcome a Cleveland Cavaliers Reunion
A trade for James makes sense for both sides
With every NBA offseason comes talks about a potential LeBron-Cavaliers reunion. When asked about a potential return to Cleveland in an interview with The Athletic, LeBron responded, “Door’s not closed.” James’ likelihood to return to Cleveland is small, but a trade could work between the two sides. https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/1495153994641063940
Going into the offseason, James’ contract is highlighted by a $51.4 million player option, which he will likely turn down, leaving the door open for a potential sign-and-trade if the 39-year-old looks to force his way out of Los Angeles.
James’ no-trade clause allows him to have his pick of teams he could be traded to, with Cleveland reportedly being on the list of possible destinations. The Cavaliers have the assets to make a trade work, with a package centered around Donovan Mitchell being Cleveland’s only option.
With Michell set to hit free agency next summer and unlikely to sign an extension with the Cavaliers, a trade could be Cleveland’s best bet to remain in championship contention with their young core of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
The uncertainty around LeBron’s future makes a trade a solid avenue for the Lakers to explore to remain competitive with Anthony Davis leading the way. Los Angeles would have a much higher chance to resign Mitchell, anyway, paving the way for a James-for-Mitchell deal.
Trade Details
Cavaliers Receive: LeBron James, 2024 Second-Round Pick (via LAC)
Lakers Receive: Donovan Mitchell, Caris LeVert, 2024 First-Round Pick (CLE), 2025 Second-Round Pick (via MIL)
The trade comes with a sign-and-trade for James, with a deal likely surpassing $150 million over three years. James joins a young Cavaliers squad with young talent in Garland, Mobley and Allen and excellent perimeter shooters in Max Strus, Georges Niang and Sam Merrill. Cleveland is thrust into title contention with LeBron leading the way and could make it out of a wide-open Eastern Conference as soon as next season.
The Cavaliers also possess the resources necessary to bring in Bronny James in the 2024 NBA Draft, a notable priority for James in recent years. LeBron gets his final stint in Cleveland and gets to play with Bronny, without sacrificing hopes of another championship with a stacked Cavaliers roster to back him.
As for the Lakers, Donovan Mitchell gets a fresh start in sunny Los Angeles, pairing with Anthony Davis to form an exciting tandem in the Western Conference to keep the team’s title hopes alive. Mitchell comes with a cheaper price tag than that of James, and the Lakers earn draft capital to continue wheeling and dealing to build around their All-Star-caliber duo.
The Lakers enter 2024 as contenders with a loaded roster of Mitchell and Davis alongside key contributors in Caris LeVert, Rui Hachimura, DeAngelo Russell and Austin Reaves.
The Cavaliers project to be near a 50-win team, with potential to finish as high as the first seed in the Eastern Conference in 2024. The Lakers project similarly with Mitchell, with the potential to win a wide-open Western Conference next season. Could this blockbuster deal be what both teams are missing going into a highly anticipated 2024 NBA season?
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