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

By Jason Reed

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)
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 Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers rumors
(Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers rumors /

2. Trade LeBron James to the Lakers’ biggest rival

Would the Los Angeles Lakers help the Boston Celtics by giving them the face of the league? Maybe not. But the Lakers should be focused on getting the best return possible in this theoretical situation and that offer very well could be from the Celtics.

The Celtics are a team that has been competitive and in the mix over the last half-decade but are not currently among the teams that are true title contenders. There is not much for them to really do, either. While they have two elite young players in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they have been unable to get over the hump.

Thus, the Celtics could copy a team that was in the exact same situation four years ago, the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors were always in the mix but never quite the team. Thus, they upgraded one of their stars for an even better star, even if it was just one year, and the rest was history.

The Celtics would absolutely be a true NBA Finals contender with the duo of LeBron James and Tatum. Sure, the Lakers would ask for Tatum in return but to get this deal done the team would probably have to take the lesser young star.

Brown may not be a huge star but he is young and is one of the best defensive wings in the league. If you know LeBron is leaving after a year and you are not winning the title anyway then flipping him for a young all-star, one of the best role players in the league and three unprotected first-round picks is not too shabby.

LeBron could also spend another year in Boston as well. He is a partial owner of the Boston Red Sox and they are good enough where they would contend the following year. He could sign a one-year deal with Boston after the 2022-23 season, preparing to join Bronny James wherever he goes in 2024-25.