LeBron James, ex-USC Trojan Bronny James leave L.A., land on Warriors in trade proposal sending Jimmy Butler to Lakers

LeBron James and former USC Trojan Bronny James could leave L.A. for a move up the 1 to the Bay Area to play for the Golden State Warriors if Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley is any bit of a soothsayer.

Buckley’s mock trade proposal would send the James family’s current two professionals – Bryce James is likely on the way in the future – to the Dubs and return Jimmy Butler to the Los Angeles Lakers.

For the Warriors, Buckley sees this as one last chance to deliver four-time title-winner Steph Curry a championship roster, pairing up two of the greatest ever to form a legitimate superteam.

“Because generational talents only come along...well, once in a generation, and the Warriors can't pass up the opportunity to unite two of the players who have worn that label as well as just about anyone in NBA history,” Buckley wrote.

“This trade, like any other transaction involving Golden State, would be all about maximizing whatever remains of Stephen Curry's prime.”

As for the Lakers’ side of the deal, bringing Butler on board would be to satisfy Luka Doncic’s desire to win now before committing to a long-term deal.

“Because James and the Lakers seem less than convinced about the other, Butler provides similar star-level contributions (while perhaps fitting a bit better with Luka Dončić) and the finances will still be flexible when it really matters,” Buckley wrote.

“Much like it is with Golden State and Curry, everything in L.A. revolves around Dončić, who becomes extension-eligible next month or could enter free agency next offseason if no agreement is reached.

“So, if the Lakers ever do go the route of trading James—who, to be clear, has a no-trade clause and has shown no indication of wanting out—they might have incentive to seek out win-now assistance instead of long-term assets.”

The James duo would be shipped off together. That part of the deal would be accurate.

Golden State giving up on Butler so soon is far less plausible.

Consider this one very far from possible. Especially since the Athletic’s Dan Woike and Joe Vardon reported that the Lakers wouldn’t want to take back Butler’s contract.