There’s no denying that LeBron James is the biggest star in the NBA right now, and all eyes are always on him this time of year to see what he might do for his next move. The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t have quite the kind of 2024-25 season they wanted, leaving head coach JJ Redick and his staff in a bind to make sure to put together a winning lineup for the upcoming run.
While having James and Luka Doncic both on their roster makes for some major star power for the Lakers, it’s obviously not enough. While trading for Doncic was a serious move that shook the NBA, it became clear during the last season that they’ll need more to complete this lineup.
Now, James is back for the 2025-26 season, but will he stay with the Lakers? If not, there’s one team where he could land that very few are considering, but maybe they should.
LeBron James Could Stay in Los Angeles, But It’s Not What People Are Thinking
James’ agent Rich Paul told ESPN’s Shams Charania in a piece published in late June that “LeBron wants to compete for a championship,” making some think he could leave the Lakers. He added that “he knows the Lakers are building for the future.” The statement also says that James “understands that, but he values a realistic chance of winning it all. We are very appreciative of the partnership that we’ve had for eight years with Jeanie [Buss] and Rob [Pelinka] and consider the Lakers as a critical part of his career.”
In a Wednesday, July 2, feature for The Athletic, Fred Katz lays out the idea that James could actually stay in Los Angeles but play for the Clippers.
Now, are the Clippers the kind of team that’s going to definitely get him that final championship? In their current state, it’s certainly a gamble. But, Katz lays out some benefits to this idea.
“The Clippers could toss together a trio of shooting guard Norman Powell, who was sneakily better than ever last season, bench scorer Bogdan Bogdanović and defensive stopper Derrick Jones Jr., who was a starter next to Dončić on Dallas’ 2024 finals team,” Katz states. “However, doing so would eat into the depth that made them so dangerous a season go.” He adds that the team would probably not want to say farewell to starting center Ivica Zubac, who they don’t seem keen on trading.
Lakers Idea Would Mean Trading LeBron James for a MVP-Caliber Player
Another “fantasyland” idea, he says, is the idea of the Clippers trading “their highest-paid player, two-time finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, for James.” He adds that the trade “could clean the Clippers’ books, too. Leonard’s contract expires in 2027. James’ expires next summer.”
“With James’ money coming off the roster in 2026,” he continues, “the Clippers would enter what could be a star-studded free agency with enough cap space to sign a max player and then some.”
So, while the idea of James going to the Clippers may seem farfetched, the Clippers are one of the few teams in the NBA that may be able to swing this financial transaction. It would also keep James near his son, Bronny, assuming Bronny stays with the Lakers. It’s something to think about, even if it’s a fantasy idea.
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