The Los Angeles Lakers could complete another notable deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
The offseason is the perfect time for playoff contenders to make things interesting by completing unexpected blockbuster trades.
According to a recently crafted trade proposal, the Los Angeles Lakers' star forward and recently added 6-foot-6 guard could join Cooper Flagg on the Dallas Mavericks via a blockbuster deal.
“The Lakers and Mavericks have already made one insane trade this year when Dallas moved Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and a first-round pick,” Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman wrote Wednesday.
“It is worth remembering that James has a no-trade clause in his contract, and he can have a big say in his next destination. What if (LeBron) James wants to reunite with Davis for the final season or two seasons of his career? Now that they have Cooper Flagg, it is not crazy to think James could lift them to title contention in the Western Conference.”
Caudell and Raman’s three-team trade proposal sends Caleb Martin, a 2030 second round pick (via Philadelphia 76ers), and a 2032 second round pick (via Mavericks) to the Atlanta Hawks, Klay Thompson, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington to the Lakers, and the James clan (LeBron, Bronny) and Dalton Knecht to the Mavericks.
James has been linked to the Mavericks to begin the offseason for obvious reasons.
The 21-time All-Star was thrown off guard when the Lakers traded Davis, his former teammate, to Dallas in early February.
A year after James signed with Los Angeles, Davis was shipped to the storied franchise in a monster 2019 deal.
The two stars guided Los Angeles to an unforgettable bubble championship in 2020, coming out victorious against the Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, and Miami Heat.
However, the $276 million duo endured four consecutive underwhelming postseasons with the Lakers, motivating the organization to make a change before the 2025 playoffs commenced.
James’ tight-knit bond with Davis and firm understanding of the 32-year-old’s tendencies on the hardwood could be used to the Mavericks’ advantage if a summer trade materializes.
Knecht, who the Lakers selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft, would likely struggle to earn a defined role in the Mavericks' offense.
However, the Tennessee product could continue his gradual development in the respected Western Conference organization.
Category: Basketball
