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Anthony Davis trade may come full circle and drive LeBron to leave Lakers

By Jason Reed

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: LeBron James #6 stands alongside Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the national anthem prior to facing the Golden State Warriors in game two of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 04, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: LeBron James #6 stands alongside Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers during the national anthem prior to facing the Golden State Warriors in game two of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 04, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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 Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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While his dad and the Los Angeles Lakers battle the Golden State Warriors in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, Bronny James announced that he would be taking his talents to USC to play college basketball. According to LeBron James, this makes Bronny the first of the James family to go to college.

With Bronny’s college future in the headlines, LeBron’s future in Los Angeles has yet again become a topic of discussion. LeBron reiterated after Game 3’s win that he is serious about his aspirations to play with Bronny, who can first come into the league for the 2024-25 season.

LeBron has a player option for that season that he almost certainly would utilize to go play with his son. Based on everything he has said, fans can expect him to opt out and even take less money to go play with the team that drafts his son.

And it does not seem likely that the Los Angeles Lakers will be the team that drafts Bronny thanks to the trade that brought the franchise another championship in the first place, the mega-deal for Anthony Davis.

How the Anthony Davis trade could drive LeBron James to leave the Lakers:

The Lakers gave up a lot for Anthony Davis and they are nearing the end of the line in terms of payment for the star big man. Heck, this season the team got away with not giving anything as the Pelicans had a pick swap and ended up having the worse selection.

That is not the case next year. New Orleans has the right to take either the Lakers’ 2024 or 2025 first-round pick. The Pelicans will decide in 2024 and if they take that pick, LA gets its 2025 first-round pick back. If not, the Lakers keep their 2024 pick and will lose the 2025 pick regardless of how good it is.

Now, it all depends on the Pelicans’ decision and whether or not they want to take the risk of rolling the pick over to 2025. If the Lakers are picking in the 20s, and there is a chance that LeBron leaves, they may instead opt for the 2025 pick. However, if the Lakers are picking in the 20s then there is the chance that LeBron stays as the team could conceivably draft Bronny.

Some draft analysts have Bronny as a top-10 prospect in the 2024 class, which would essentially take the Lakers out of the equation. However, other reputable rankings have Bronny in the 20s, which would put him right in the range for the Lakers to keep him in LA and take him in the first round.

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The Pelicans know this and they can thwart LA’s plans by opting to take its pick in 2024. Heck, if the Pelicans really wanted to get maximum return for Davis they could take that pick, draft Bronny and get a year of LeBron James out of it as well.

A lot can happen between now and the 2024 NBA Draft, both in how the Lakers play and how far Bronny climbs up the draft boards. But if the Pelicans do decide to take LA’s 2024 first-round pick then Lakers fans will have to kiss LeBron James goodbye.

Next. 22 players the Lakers gave up on too early. dark