One of the biggest questions of the offseason is whether LeBron James will remain with the Los Angeles Lakers. There have been conflicting reports about both parties' desire to continue the partnership. Consequently, some people have been devising mock trade ideas to find a new home for the superstar.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report came up with two possible deals that would have James joining the Cleveland Cavaliers for a third time, with the Charlotte Hornets serving as facilitators and landing Jarrett Allen in the process.
It might seem risible to think that James would leave the Lakers, especially after he opted into his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season. However, there are rumors that he is unhappy with how he has been phased out as the franchise cornerstone, with Los Angeles apparently gravitating more towards Luka Doncic as the player with the most say in front-office decisions.
If trading the four-time MVP is the only avenue to avoid unnecessary drama, then there is probably no more poetic way for him to bookend his career by playing again for his hometown team. Because of the financial statuses of the Cavs and Lakers, though, any James deal would require at least one more squad to join and make the finances work. The Hornets would likely be more than willing to crash the party if it means acquiring additional assets.
Unlikely trade propositions see Hornets make a major upgrade at center
Two of the three proposals Swartz suggested have Charlotte sending Grant Williams and the 2027 first-round picks they are slated to receive from the Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Allen. The first trade framework also features the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team swap, while the second adds another club to the mix, the Utah Jazz.
First Trade Proposal | |
|---|---|
Hornets receive: | Jarrett Allen |
Lakers receive: | Darius Garland, Max Strus |
Cavs receive: | LeBron James, Bronny James, Mavs' top-two protected 2027 first-round pick (via Hornets) |
Nets receive: | Grant Williams, Dean Wade, Heat's lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick (via Hornets) |
Second Trade Proposal | |
|---|---|
Hornets receive: | Jarrett Allen |
Lakers receive: | Lauri Markkanen, De'Andre Hunter, Max Strus |
Cavs receive: | LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler, Heat's lottery-protected 2027 first-round pick (via Hornets) |
Nets receive: | Grant Williams, Jarred Vanderbilt, |
Jazz receive: | Darius Garland, Maxi Kleber |
Either idea would certainly look appealing to the primary franchises involved, although Charlotte giving up three valuable assets for Allen might be too steep a price to pay. On the other hand, the 2022 All-Star seems like a great fit with the Hornets roster, as he is an elite defensive anchor, screener, and rim-runner. He might just exactly be the big man that could make LaMelo Ball stay with the organization for many more years.
Besides, the 2027 draft pick that the Hornets will get from Dallas is not as valuable as it had been earlier this year — after the Mavs inexplicably sent Doncic to James and the Lakers and before they lucked out in the draft lottery and earned the right to select Cooper Flagg. The Heat first-rounder could also turn out to be a low-value asset, as they are notorious for big-fish hunting every chance they get. So, it wouldn't be surprising if Miami transforms into a contender anew in the next year or two.
So, if the opportunity to land someone like Allen arises, the Hornets might want to grab it, even if it requires parting ways with some of their key pieces. The team and its fans shouldn't hold their breath, though, that Swartz's idea will come to pass because James doesn't appear to be going anywhere soon.