Lakers Trade Pitch Replaces LeBron James With $176 Million West Superstar

LeBron James will make a decision on his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers and at least one analyst believes that he could end up on the trade block. The four-time NBA champion may opt out of the final year of his contract and the Lakers will try their best to keep him on the roster. There are several realistic scenarios revolving around the king of basketball and a potential sign-and-trade deal.

Bill Simmons from The Ringer discussed one of this scenarios during the May 25 episode of “The Bill Simmons Podcast.” According to this scenario, the Lakers will call their city rivals to negotiate a sign-and-trade deal. This move would send LeBron to the Clippers and Paul George to the Lakers. Does this make sense?

“Here’s the solution for all of us for Paul George — a double sign and trade,” Simmons said. “LeBron gets to stay in L.A., but he goes to the Clippers to open the new stadium and finish his career there. Paul George gets to finally play with the Lakers after it was blocked by [NBA Commissioner] Adam Silver a couple years ago … and it gets to be him and A.D. [Anthony Davis] and JJ Reddick, and we’re off. It’s a new era for the Lakers.”

Lakers may soon receive a trade offer for LeBron

George is entering the final season of his four-year deal with the Clippers. The team seem to be hesitant about giving him an extension. His current deal is around $176.3 million and George can easily get around $221 million. However, the Clippers may not be willing to give him that much. They have already spent a lot of money to extend Kawhi Leonard’s deal.

The Clippers have to make big decisions this summer as both James Harden and George can enter the open market.

Will the Lakers agree to trade LeBron for George? The four-time NBA champion averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists this past season. George averaged 22.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 74 games with the Clippers. Jeanie Buss and Magic Johnson wanted LeBron in LA. Will they let him go now?