The Los Angeles Lakers went from getting a superstar alongside LeBron James, to now possibly trading him?
We know that the Los Angeles Lakers have a critical free agency coming up this offseason, but should the Lakers consider trading LeBron if they don’t get another superstar? Should they consider trading LeBron in order to bring in another superstar, since some of those free agents in Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant have already let their voices be heard in not wanting to play with LeBron, for reasons of their own.
The Lakers signed LeBron James to a 4-year/$154M deal last summer, and because they didn’t make the playoffs, rumors are starting of trading LeBron? Stephen A. Smith was on SportsCenter last night, and he said:
"“Some people close to Jeanie Buss are telling her to trade Lebron James.”"
This would be a poor decision by the Lakers if they were to trade arguably the best player in the NBA.
Reminder, the Lakers were in 4th place after defeating the Warriors in Golden State on Christmas Day. Injuries are what drove the Lakers downhill. Also, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka did not do a great job assembling this Lakers team and ignoring the coaching staff’s request to re-sign Julius Randle and Brook Lopez.
Instead they signed Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, and Rajon Rondo. Beasley was never given a chance to prove himself, but Lance was a disappointment, and Rondo showed leadership, but it didn’t result to much when LeBron was out.
Look at the Western Conference now. The Rockets, Warriors, Blazers, and Nuggets are left. The Lakers tied with Blazers 2-2 in the regular season. The last game they played is not a fair assertion, considering the Lakers were without LeBron, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball, there three best players.
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The Rockets won the season series 3-1 against the Lakers. One game in which LeBron did not play, so it could’ve swung either way. The Warriors won the season series 3-1 against the Lakers, the only game that the Lakers were healthy, they defeated the Warriors. The Nuggets won the season series 2-1 against the Lakers. If healthy, the Lakers would have been in the second round of the playoffs, at least. So, there is no reason to trade LeBron James.
However, if they keep pushing for it, LeBron will have no choice but to demand a trade. Already Magic Johnson left and did not let LeBron James know, and LeBron was not happy about that.
The second strike will be if the Lakers come back empty-handed after this free agency. They have enough money to sign a superstar, and I believe Kyrie Irving or Kemba Walker will be in a Lakers jersey come next season. They should also try signing Julius Randle back with LA, and if they can get Kyrie-Randle or Kemba-Randle, and remain healthy, they will have punched a ticket to the playoffs for next season.
The third strike would be if the Lakers miss out on the playoffs for yet another season. LeBron’s last year on his contract is a player option so he could opt out.
If the Lakers were to trade LeBron James, which would be a mistake, they should trade him for the first pick in the draft, and then some.
As I said earlier, the Lakers would make a mistake trading LeBron. LeBron had a “down” year, last season, and he still managed to average 27.4 points, on 51% shooting, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
The Lakers will be fine as long as they remain healthy, they will make the playoffs. If they can get Kemba-Randle or Kyrie-Randle, that would be even better, considering they can make a push to the finals, assuming Kevin Durant leaves Golden State after this season.
The Lakers traded Lou Williams, he led the Clippers to the playoffs. They traded D’Angelo Russell, Russell leads the Nets to the playoffs. They let Julius Randle walk in free agency, and he averaged 21.4 points, on 52.4% shooting, 8.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Do not trade LeBron James, or it will be another regretful moment in Lakers history.