Writer suggests transformative LeBron James sign-and-trade for Lakers

[ASFN Admin]

If LeBron James wants to leave the Los Angeles Lakers this summer in free agency but wants more than the mid-level exception to join the Cleveland Cavaliers or Golden State Warriors, there will likely have to be a sign-and-trade deal. According to at least one report, it is believed he will not accept the taxpayer mid-level exception of roughly $6 million to return to the Cavaliers, and the taxpayer mid-level exception is projected to be all they could offer him.

Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report proposed a sign-and-trade between the Cavs and Lakers that would not only send James back to where his NBA career began but would also restructure L.A.'s roster. In this deal, the Lakers would give up James, his son Bronny, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht and a $28 million trade exception while receiving Jarrett Allen, Dennis Schroder, Dean Wade and Sam Merrill.

"The Lakers' front office would need to bring its A-game to win the press conference, explaining why the franchise chose not to pay James to wrap his career in the purple and gold," Pincus wrote.

"From a basketball perspective, it's inevitable. The Lakers must prioritize Dončić's prime, as he's one of the most talented scorers in the NBA. James, at his age, isn't the franchise's future. Instead, the team chooses not to go under the salary cap this summer, as many expect.

"Instead, James yields four rotation players, including a starting center in Allen, a veteran point guard in his third stint in L.A. in Schröder, a shooter in Merrill, and a versatile defender in Wade."

Allen would instantly become the defensive-minded center the Lakers want and need, while Schroder could replace at least some of the elder James' ball-handling, facilitating and pace-pushing duties. Merrill, a 6-foot-4 guard, averaged 12.8 points a game and made 42.1% of his 3-point attempts this season, and Wade, who is 6-foot-9, is also a capable shooter.

Pincus also outlined how the rest of L.A.'s offseason could go in this scenario in terms of re-signing its other current players and trying to upgrade its roster beyond that.

"The alternative for the Lakers would be to renounce James and chase free agents in a decent but unspectacular market, especially with Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura in the top 10. Reaves returns at a starting salary of $32.5 million for four years, $140 million—$17 million less than B/R recently projected. Hachimura is also back, starting at $20 million for about three years, $64.8 million."

"The Lakers can, in this scenario, retain Marcus Smart via his non-Bird rights at $6.2 million, assuming he opts out before July. Luke Kennard returns on a two-year, $18.5 million contract, along with Jaxson Hayes at $10.4 million over two seasons (starting at $5 million).

"The Lakers retain Adou Thiero, their No. 25 first-round pick, and future movable firsts in 2031 and 2032, in case an opportunity arises immediately or at the trade deadline.

"If the New Orleans Pelicans are willing to give up Trey Murphy III for three firsts, the Lakers can get to his salary by pairing Jarred Vanderbilt and Schröder as outgoing salary, perhaps increasing the deal with the Cavaliers into a three-team swap.

"Los Angeles also generates a first-apron hard cap. James' outgoing salary brings in Allen; Ayton is enough for Schröder; LaRavia lands Wade; and the aggregation of Bronny James and Knecht is enough for Merrill.

"The Lakers can fill the roster to 15 with a couple of minimum players, or slot one spot for Nick Smith Jr., whose contract doesn't have a guaranteed salary unless he makes the opening-night roster."

It remains to be seen if the Lakers are willing to be this bold when it comes to remaking their roster this offseason. It also remains to be seen if they will say no to keeping the elder James in the event that he and his agent, Rich Paul, demand a max or near-max salary.

This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Writer suggests transformative LeBron James sign-and-trade for Lakers

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