Grade the Trade: Lakers fleece Mavericks in LeBron trade proposal

Would the Lakers make this trade?

Just because this trade is (essentially) the best that the Dallas Mavericks can offer, it doesn’t automatically mean that the Los Angeles Lakers should say yes. They have to be fully committed to the road ahead of them if they move on from a franchise superstar.

It doesn’t make sense for the Lakers to try and compete for a title without LeBron; Anthony Davis isn’t enough to carry a team by himself, not to the heights the Lakers expect for themselves. If LeBron is adamant he wants to leave, the Lakers only say yes if they’re ready for at least one season of retooling, if not outright rebuilding.

If they’re ready to do that, then there are certainly some intriguing pieces in this package. Jaden Hardy is a high-upside scorer, while Josh Green could be a two-way monster as a long-term starter. The No. 10 pick is the path to a big wing or shooting help, or even a defensive center like Dereck Lively to replace Anthony Davis once he is traded. There is no true star involved, but there are the pieces to place around a future star.

Do the Lakers make this trade? In the end, they only do this if LeBron pushes hard for a trade. They have a reasonable shot at the title next season if they run it back, and there is no guarantee they get there with the next group of players. But if LeBron is done in L.A., this package is good enough for the Lakers to say yes.

Final Grade: B