Lakers rumors: What a LeBron James trade package could look like

By Jason Reed | Feb 23, 2022

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 20: LeBron James reacts after being introduced as part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team during the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 20, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers rumors /

1. Trade LeBron James to Washington D.C.

One team that the Lakers could call is the Washington Wizards. Bradley Beal can opt-out of his deal this summer and sign a super-max with the Wizards that is going to pay him nicely. While Beal is an elite player, the Wizards have not won anything with him and you cannot blame the team for being hesitant in not wanting to sign him to a massive contract, especially when they are not a huge free-agent destination.

That is why if the Lakers call with a sign-and-trade offer, LeBron for Beal, the Wizards may jump on it as their one chance to win a championship with the second-best player in NBA history. They would still have to throw in some draft capital, though.

Would the Wizards actually win a championship with LeBron James? No. But they are hungry for star power and would absolutely convince themselves that they could do so with LeBron, even if it is for just one season. Plus, as mentioned, it gives them an out on offering Beal a massive contract.

That contract would be the Lakers to handle and admittedly, the contract would probably look pretty bad towards the end. However, as a perimeter scorer, there is a lot of potential of pairing someone like Beal with an elite frontcourt player like Anthony Davis.