The Los Angeles Lakers, while not focused on competing in the near future with Luka Dončić in the picture, are still making moves that appeal to LeBron James.
The Lakers signed Deandre Ayton and Jake LaRavia in free agency after losing Dorian Finney-Smith to the Houston Rockets and are reportedly bringing in former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart. All of these are short-term, veteran additions that show L.A.’s front office is not totally giving up on the duo of James and Dončić.
With this in mind, it’s clear the Lakers have one crucial move left to make this offseason.
Should the Lakers Entertain Trade Offers for LeBron James?
Although no one is quite sure what the organization will do, the answer to this question needs to be no.
James is a once-in-a-lifetime player even when he’s earning more than $50 million at 40 years old. To only allow him and Dončić half a season to build chemistry together would be a disservice to all parties involved. While most title-winning teams have more depth than the Lakers currently hold, two generational talents could drag the Lakers to the biggest stage.
The other issue with attempting to move James is that it’s next to impossible for the Lakers to find a fair return. No front office will show interest in the four-time NBA champion unless the asking price is substantially lower than anticipated.
Trading away James only decreases the odds the Lakers are in serious contention next season, so it would be foolish to miss out on a solid opportunity to chase the Larry O’Brien Trophy with his money off the books next summer.
What Is the Crucial Move the Lakers Should Make Before Next Season?
Ayton is a former No. 1 pick and solid contributor, but should not be solely relied on to hold down the frontcourt. Seeking out a big man who can support and play alongside the former Portland Trail Blazer via trade or free agency is crucial to success.
Enter a potential trade for Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze. A package centered around upcoming sophomore guard Dalton Knecht could likely get the deal done.
Bitadze is on quite a cheap contract for the value he provides, earning roughly $16 million across the next two seasons. He is not an elite player in any aspect, but can provide strong interior defense and score and rebound at solid levels.
Bringing in Bitadze is rather useless if the Lakers shockingly deal James, so the first decision must happen for the crucial move to follow.
