The Los Angeles Lakers (24-14) clearly need to make a move or two.
This is because the Lakers are competing against teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs in what could be LeBron James’ final NBA season. One area of need is frontcourt depth, as L.A. lacks talent outside of starting center Deandre Ayton.
To make the best possible trade happen, a surprise player could be included.
Lakers Predicted To Move Bronny James
It seems near impossible the Lakers would move on from LeBron James’ son, Bronny James, but CBS Sports sees things differently.
Sam Quinn predicts the Lakers will separate the father-son duo in a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets and Portland Trail Blazers. The proposed trade details are as follows:
Lakers receive: Robert Williams III, Matisse Thybulle
Trail Blazers receive: Rui Hachimura, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James
Nets receive:Â Jaxson Hayes, 2032 second-round pick (via Lakers)
Quinn justified the involvement of James in the deal, writing, “Obviously, Bronny James is included in the deal as well. The Lakers need to get off a bit of extra money to make this work against their first-apron hard cap.”
James is averaging 1.7 points, 1.2 assists, and 0.5 rebounds on 34.2% shooting in 21 appearances with the Lakers. He is finding much more success with the Lakers’ G League team, the South Bay Lakers, recording 17 points per game on 62.5% shooting in three games played.
Quinn continued, “When LeBron James was this franchise’s centerpiece, trading his son would have been unthinkable. But with the James era seemingly nearing its end and Rich Paul overstepping with some of his recent podcast suggestions, this trade would be a way for the Lakers to start untangling themselves from their messy relationship with Klutch Sports.”
Williams and Thybulle would be solid contributors for the Lakers, but it’s possible a better return is available if the front office is putting Hachimura and Knecht on the table.
Williams is a backup center who struggles with injuries on an expiring four-year, $48 million contract. Meanwhile, Thybulle is a lockdown guard who leaves much to be desired on the offensive end.
Not to mention, giving up James would likely create serious tension in the locker room.
