Lakers Predicted To Add $251,019,650 All-Star in Blockbuster Trade That Ends LeBron James’ Tenure in Los Angeles

For the first time in his illustrious NBA career, LeBron James is not the top priority of the organization he is playing for.

The Los Angeles Lakers are signaling a heavy focus on building for the future around Luka Dončić, which puts James in quite a dilemma. While he would love to retire in Los Angeles, where his family resides, the 21-time All-Star strongly desires to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy a fifth time.

It’s worth noting the Lakers aren’t entirely giving up on the James era, as they signed former No. 1 pick DeAndre Ayton to a short-term deal. Still, one of the biggest storylines in the NBA is whether the four-time NBA champion will request a trade from the Lakers if he decides his chances of winning a title are better elsewhere.

Lakers Predicted To Trade LeBron James to Suns for Bradley Beal

Los Angeles Lakers fans will surely freak out seeing a proposal that trades away LeBron James for one of the league’s most overpaid former All-Stars, especially when rumors are floating around that the Phoenix Suns may buy out Bradley Beal’s contract.

However, Bleacher Report analyst Dan Favale predicts the Lakers and Suns could complete a blockbuster trade that makes much more sense than first glance suggests.

The article suggests James heads to Phoenix in exchange for a package centered around Beal and the No. 10 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Khaman Maluach. Favale also pitches that the Brooklyn Nets could be involved in helping match salaries.

This scenario has many moving parts, as Beal and James both have no-trade clauses. However, both might be willing to waive them for vastly different reasons. Beal’s motivation to do so is simple: Few players in the NBA would turn down the opportunity to play in Los Angeles alongside Dončić.

Favale explained why James would agree to join the Suns, writing, “Phoenix is a short 90-minute flight from Los Angeles, and Bryce James, LeBron’s youngest son, is committed to playing at the University of Arizona.”

He continued, “And as of now, the Suns with LeBron, Devin Booker, Mark Williams, Dillon Brooks, and Jalen Green are closer to contention than whatever the Lakers currently have around LeBron, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves.”

🇺🇸 Bradley Beal today highlights vs. Grizzlies:

🏀 24 POINTS
🏀 11 ASSISTS
🏀 5 REBOUNDS

Suns lost to Grizzlies 148-151 ❌ pic.twitter.com/rUiMVpoqP8

— DV highlights (@DVhighlights) February 26, 2025

Beal has one guaranteed season remaining on his five-year, $251 million contract, but there is a chance that he leaves Phoenix by agreeing to a buyout with the franchise.

If he ends up staying, despite how bad of a deal this is for the Lakers to take on, its expiration perfectly aligns with when L.A. general manager Rob Pelinka hopes to offer a max contract to a star player in free agency.

On top of that, the Lakers are adding a potential long-term solution at center in Maluach, who is widely seen as the best rim protector in the draft class.

While Beal’s name has popped up in trade rumors all offseason, it is looking more and more likely that he’ll agree to a buyout and hit the free-agent market. If that happens, perhaps the Lakers will pursue the former All-Star and look to add him on a bargain deal without having to give up any assets.