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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 Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Ethan Mito/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Trade LeBron James to pair with last year’s MVP

This would create the best team and would be a trade that LeBron James would probably be happy with. While it would be less than ideal to see him thrive on another Western Conference team, if the Lakers are punting on contending next season then it does not matter. Take the best offer.

The Nuggets are absolutely a team that would look to take LeBron. They have one of the best players in the league in Nikola Jokic but don’t quite have enough around him to win a title. Pair him with LeBron James and suddenly the Nuggets are the odds-on favorites to win the NBA Championship.

Denver has star power to send in return and would certainly part ways with several draft picks for James.

Like the Beal trade, the Lakers get a young all-star guard to pair with Anthony Davis for the coming years as well as a really good role player in Aaron Gordon and three first-round picks. It will be a wonky fit in year one with Russell Westbrook but that is not the point. The team could buy out Westbrook for all it matters.

The Lakers are never going to get a superstar that has as much value as LeBron James. But getting a young all-star to build the future around, with picks and another role player, would be quite the return.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

At the end of the day, it would be really bold for the Lakers to do this but it might be better for the future of the team. LeBron will try and force his way back to Cleveland if he finds out the team is shopping him but they don’t have any assets worth trading him for. The team should take control and ask for packages of this nature if a deal is indeed something they are looking for in the summer.