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3 reasons why the Lakers should trade LeBron James this summer

Jason Reed|
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 21: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during player introductions prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 21, 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - MARCH 21: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates during player introductions prior to the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on March 21, 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James

While he may no longer be the best player on the planet, LeBron James is still the face of the league and is the most polarizing player in the league. That is what made the Los Angeles Lakers‘ disappointing season an even bigger deal as it was the worst team of LeBron’s career.

Now the Lakers enter an offseason that presents a crossroads with some moves to make. The biggest goal for the Lakers is to get Russell Westbrook off the team. However, it might be best if the Lakers make the most shocking move possible.

Westbrook should absolutely still be traded but perhaps LeBron should be as well. Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss probably don’t have the gusto to pull the trigger on this kind of trade, but when you really think about it, it might be the best decision the team could make.

3 reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers should trade LeBron James this summer:

1. So LeBron James doesn’t leverage a failed extension over the Lakers

LeBron James is entering the last year of his contract next season and the Lakers are likely going to try and work out an extension with him this summer. For LeBron, it might make more sense for him to not sign an extension.

This will give LeBron the ultimate leverage that he wants, which he also utilized in his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He will be on an expiring deal, essentially threatening the team that he will leave after the season if they do not make the moves he wants them to make. If LeBron was on an expiring contract this season then the Lakers would have traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall. That is a fact.

While trading LeBron would make the Lakers worse next season, this is not a position the team wants to be in. We have seen how barren LeBron has left teams in the past. If you think the Lakers’ roster is barren now just wait to see what it would look like after another season of this.

LeBron has had the leverage over teams his entire career. Without a no-trade clause, LeBron, for the first time in his career, sacrifices some of his leverage. Why would the Lakers want to give that up?