LeBron James is the face of the NBA and is arguably still the best player in the world and is the heartbeat of the Los Angeles Lakers. While Anthony Davis might have more future success with the Lakers, right now, the team would not be where it is without LeBron James.
How much longer LeBron James is at the top of his game is up in the air. He is still dominating, per usual, but turns 36 in December. We have seen it time and time again with other superstars that quickly fade late in their career and the question becomes not if he fades, but when.
Some people seemingly think that it could come sooner rather than later. In a time where the NBA news cycle has dried up, sportswriters are getting creative, so creative in fact that LeBron James trade proposals have become an actual thing.
Los Angeles Lakers: LeBron James is not getting traded, why even propose it?
Preston Ellis of Bleacher Report put together a fun article with hypothetical trades for each NBA team’s top star. And while Ellis did allude that most of these star players won’t get traded and I understand the fun and intrigue in these kinds of articles, throwing out a LeBron James trade proposal is a bold move.
It is even bolder when the proposed trade would send him to Brooklyn for Spencer Dinwiddie, Caris LeVert, Jarrett Allen, the 76ers’ first-round pick and the Nets’ 2022 first-round pick.
That trade is never happening. A LeBron James trade is never happening.
The proposed trade could theoretically become possible if Anthony Davis does not re-sign with the team and the Lakers know that LeBron cannot win on his own and instead decided to trade one guaranteed year of LeBron. After all, James could force his way out of LA, right?
On paper that could make sense. NBA teams, more than any other big-four league in America, often get ahead of the curve and trade guys with one year left to get something in return. You could make the case that without Davis is makes more sense to move LeBron, if he so desires, rather than potentially let him walk away with his player option.
It might make sense on paper but it will never happen. If Davis were to deny his player option that would open up cap space for the team to acquire a second star for LeBron. Now, it might be hard with a small free-agent market and not much future capital, but the Lakers would undoubtedly do whatever it takes to get star power in return.
And if they don’t, I doubt LeBron forces his way out of LA at all. Sure, it could hurt his legacy if he does not get to contend for another championship but him signing with the Lakers seemed to me more of a lifestyle choice for the opportunities that LA provides.
Plus, most importantly, you don’t punt while having LeBron James. If ‘The Last Dance’ has taught us anything it is that you ride the wagon of a generational superstar like LeBron James until the wheels fall off.
The Los Angeles Lakers are not trading LeBron James, ever. I get that these fantasy trade scenarios are fun to read, but it is never happening in a million years.