Regardless of clear upgrades to the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster, they can not seem to shake rumors of celebrity LeBron James wanting out of city. That has clearly led to loads of rumors and even commerce proposals involving LeBron, with the most recent one sending him to the San Antonio Spurs.
A LeBron commerce involving the Lakers and the Spurs between now and the commerce deadline appears extremely far-fetched. Nonetheless, it seems clear that LeBron is sad in Los Angeles, with the Lakers prioritizing Luka Dončić over him.
Whether or not that results in him being traded stays to be seen, however getting him to the Spurs would require quite a lot of shifting elements that are not fairly really easy to drag off. In Fox Sports activities’ ridiculous commerce, San Antonio would ship out Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and a 2028 first for LeBron.
A LeBron James commerce is unlikely, however not unimaginable
If that had been one thing that the Lakers would settle for, the Spurs will surely be keen to for LeBron. Nonetheless, if the Lakers had been to commerce him throughout the season, they might count on to obtain impression gamers who may assist them, not simply wage filler and a probably dangerous first-rounder.
In fact, they’ve aspirations for cap area in 2026. That additional complicates a possible LeBron commerce, with them seemingly unwilling to take again long-term wage that would eat into their 2026 cap area.
Few groups may even handle a proposal that might give the Lakers flexibility whereas additionally offsetting his large $55 million wage for subsequent season. The Spurs technically may supply up Kelly Olynyk, Harrison Barnes, and Keldon Johnson as matching wage. In fact that clearly would wish picks for the Lakers to even take into account it.
The Lakers don’t have any incentive to commerce LeBron this season
That may get them near LeBron’s wage whereas solely including $17.5 million to the Lakers’ books for the 2026-27 season. That is in comparison with Hughes’ proposed deal that might ship out Vassell, who will make $27 million a yr over the subsequent 4 seasons.
Nonetheless, buying and selling wage filler for LeBron, who remains to be a top-15 participant within the NBA, is nonsensical even when it is technically doable. Having LeBron for one final playoff run is extra invaluable except the Spurs are providing a number of firsts for him, which appears unlikely since they did not accomplish that for Kevin Durant.
LeBron would clearly assist the Spurs, giving them an all-around star to pair with Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox. Spurs followers most likely should not maintain their breath seeing LeBron in silver and black, although, except he had been to signal with San Antonio after subsequent season as a free agent.
Total, the percentages appear low that the Lakers will commerce LeBron, but when he calls for to be moved, then all bets might be off. He would undoubtedly demand to be dealt to a contender, and the Spurs could also be an interesting touchdown spot. To not point out they would wish belongings, however quite a bit must occur for this state of affairs to play out, thus making it a pipe dream.
