The Los Angeles Lakers have been urged to trade LeBron James before the soon-to-be 41-year-old star becomes unmovable, due to his age and injury concerns.
James, who owns a no-trade clause, would have to approve any move. However, Sports Illustrated’s Alex Kirschenbaum believes the Lakers would be best served by initiating talks with interested suitors and presenting pitches to their aging superstar.
“The Los Angeles Lakers need to move on from their second-best player sooner rather than later,” Kirschenbaum wrote on October 19.
The writer believes the Lakers have enough playmaking in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, and that James feels like the odd man in the Lakers’ offense.
“Future Hall of Fame forward LeBron James has felt like the odd man out since LA traded away former 10-time All-Star big man Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for five-time All-NBA First Team guard Luka Doncic.
“Doncic, James and shooting guard Austin Reaves — the Lakers’ third-best player — all have overlapping strengths and weaknesses. All are high-level ball handlers and scorers who are inconsistent at best and poor at worst on defense. Playing the trio together has led to some major defensive issues, and their upside on offense.”
Time for Lakers to Move On?
Kirschenbaum pointed to James’ ongoing sciatica issue, which will keep him sidelined through mid-November, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
“The 21-time All-NBA honoree, 40, remains one of the league’s best scorers and passers. But he’s a major injury risk (he’s hurt right now with a sciatica issue on his right side, for instance), and feels a bit superfluous alongside the 26-year-old Doncic and the 27-year-old Austin Reaves.”
James, on an expiring $52.6 million deal, would still be coveted by “contenders and pseudo-contenders,” Kirschenbaum believes, but not for too long, given his age.
LeBron James to the Mavericks?
The SI report floated the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York knicks, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks as four logical destinations for LeBron James.
The Mavericks are, in fact, the odds-on favorites to trade for James, if and when the Lakers make him available in the market.
“James has been linked to Dallas for years, and could be a fun fit next to Davis and Kyrie Irving — both of whom he won championships with in the past — and Cooper Flagg,” wrote Kirschenbaum.
The writer added that the Mavericks could part with players who’d fit Doncic’s skillset, especially athletes such as Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz also believes James and the Mavericks could be a good fit, citing James’ relationship with Jason Kidd, a former assistant coach on the Lakers.
“If LeBron James grows tired of being a No. 2 option with the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing his career with the Dallas Mavericks is an intriguing option.”
“…We know all too well that these front offices can negotiate behind the scenes. If James is looking for a new home, the Mavericks should be extremely interested in reuniting the four-time MVP with Irving and Davis.”
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