NBA expert predicts LA Lakers won’t meet expectations, could trade LeBron James midseason to Cavaliers

Experts predict LA Lakers won’t meet expectations

James, at his peak, was a dominant defender, demonstrated by his six All-Defensive Team selections. However, his legs have a lot of miles on them, and Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, Doncic, and Reaves aren’t exactly DPOTY caliber.

On top of that, James seems displeased by the Lakers’ not committing to him long-term, and he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, so his buy-in to the team’s success has been questioned.

“I don’t see how the Lakers stay at a No. 3 seed again,” wrote Yahoo’s Tom Haberstroh.

“I’m a believer in Skinny Luka, but if LeBron James is at all checked out, there’s not nearly enough depth on this roster to sustain a level required to claim first-round home-court advantage. I fear the talent drop-off after Luka Doncic, James, and Austin Reaves will doom them this season.” 

Of course, even a not-bought-in James is still an elite player, and Doncic, now that he is in shape, is expected to return to being a frontrunner in the MVP race. However, as the Phoenix Suns demonstrated, having three stars surrounded by below-average players does not guarantee success.

James’ mentality aside, the Lakers have very real on-court issues to address, as well.

“The Lakers face real defensive issues as they try to build lineups around James, Doncic, and Reaves,” added Ben Rohrbach.

When Doncic, James, and Reaves shared the floor, the Lakers’ defensive rating was 121.6, the worst of any three-man group in the entire league.

Lakers might move on from LeBron James to secure long-term success

Even if James finishes this season making his 22nd All-NBA Team, it’s impossible to define him as a “building block.”

He will be 41 at the end of the season, and while he has made it clear that he dreams of playing with both sons in the NBA, Bryce making the league is not a guarantee, and in an effort to bolster their core around Doncic, flipping James to the highest bidder makes a lot of sense.

James has been linked to the Dallas Mavericks , Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors, although a homecoming to Cleveland would be the best way for him to end his career.

“It won’t be easy, but if the Cavs get off to a slow start, Darius Garland’s contract could be large enough to grease the wheels in a three-or four-team trade,” predicted Haberstroh.

James’ trade value is at an all-time low, but the Cavaliers have an on-ball guard in Donovan Mitchell, and James, even at his advanced age, would fit the roster well. It’s only a question of building a deal to get him there.

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