LeBron James and Los Angeles Lakers are walking a tightrope that doesn’t seem to have an end, at least until the end of the 2022-23 season. And if an NBA insider is to be believed, that’s precisely where the end is.
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The Lakers are currently 19-23 and are currently led towards the third consecutive disappointing season by the 18x All-Star who had missed just one Final in the entirety of the last decade (2011-2020).
The 4x MVP came to LA in 2018 thinking of winning more Championships with hopes of teaming up with more superstars like Anthony Davis. Both, he did, within the first two years by getting AD and winning the chip in the 2019-20 season.
However, when he tried to do more of that after recruiting Russell Westbrook last season, it became even tougher than their 2020-21. And now what looks like a standstill for them in the trade market, the Lakers might just be willing to get done with this season and the current squad.
The Lakers are going to trade LeBron James for Bradley Beal or Damian Lillard
According to an NBA Insider, despite whatever LeBron James is portraying to the public he is in pure agony and frustration. And the Los Angeles Lakers are dealing with it by promising him that he might land in a better team and the Purple and Gold will get either Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal in the off-season.
“Internally, I’m sure the Lakers are selling James on an off-season when Bradley Beal or Damian Lillard becomes available, and L.A. swoops in with its picks to acquire them. But that’s more fantasy than reality,” Chris Mannix of SI.com said while discussing the subject with Howard Beck.
NBA Insider Says The Los Angeles Lakers Are Trying To Sell LeBron James On Acquiring Damian Lillard Or Bradley Beal This Summer https://t.co/EwKbQrnFVE via @TheReal_NAM
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) January 14, 2023
How would it turn out if the Lakers do trade James for either Lillard or Beal?
It will be a win-win for all the aforementioned parties. The new Lakers will look great after getting either Bradley Beal or Damian Lillard while they still have AD, only if the latter is able to get rid of his injuries, which is the biggest if in all of it.
The Wizards or Blazers, whoever lands James, will become a big-market team even though they are getting a 38-year-old. The latter will still be a contender which might even have better chances with LeBron leading their way.
And the King will obviously have it better playing for any 29 teams apart from the Lakers. When you think of it, both LeBron and the real GM of the Lakers, Mr. Rob Palinka, did work a lot to build such a bad squad with all they had to trade for.
Also read: Bronny James Gets Silly Technical Foul After Incredible Play With LeBron James and Family Watching
