Given the widespread recognition of the Los Angeles Lakers within the National Basketball Association, it is easy to see why discussions often revolve around their offseason developments.
Since the conclusion of the 2024-25 campaign, the team has been actively reshaping its lineup, yet certain uncertainties continue to surround their established, 40-year-old player.
Although LeBron James remains a member of the Lakers, emerging speculation regarding potential trades hints at the possibility of him competing with a different team in the 2025-26 season.
Shortly after James’ son’s underwhelming Summer League performance (Bronny scored two points with a 20% field goal percentage against the San Antonio Spurs), Dan Favale of Bleacher Report proposed that the Lakers might consider trading the 21-time All-Star to the New York Knicks.
“A direct exchange of Towns for LeBron would significantly increase the average age of the Knicks’ roster,” Favale stated on Wednesday. “Even so, New York still requires another player capable of consistently handling the ball to alleviate the pressure on Jalen Brunson. Jordan Clarkson only makes a limited impact.”
“If team president Leon Rose were to be completely honest, he might even admit that he values the flexibility that the expiring contract of LeBron, who will soon turn 41, would offer the Knicks compared to the three seasons and $171.2 million owed to Towns.”
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“By acquiring Towns, the Lakers would have to abandon their 2027 cap-space plan, but there is no assurance that they will sign or trade for someone who is definitively superior to him. Moreover, he will have an expiring contract that summer, making it entirely possible to trade him for valuable assets or as part of a larger transaction.”
Interestingly, the prospect of James joining the Knicks seems more plausible than before, especially considering New York’s recent change in coaching staff.
The team recently appointed Mike Brown, James’ former head coach from the Cleveland Cavaliers, shortly after parting ways with Tom Thibodeau after his five-season tenure.
Brown played a crucial role in maximizing James’ potential and preparing him for the subsequent phase of his career with the star-studded Miami Heat.
Furthermore, the fact that the 55-year-old has secured four championships as an assistant is advantageous, providing him with the necessary experience to guide a James-led Knicks team to championship contention following their Eastern Conference Finals appearance.
If James and the Lakers do not dispel the notion of a potential separation this summer, it is reasonable to anticipate that Favale’s trade scenario involving James will not be the last of its kind.
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Source: https://sports.yahoo.com/article/lakers-predicted-trade-21-time-010611033.html
