LeBron to Lakers trade must include Lonzo Ball - report
Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that LaVar Ball actually knows what he’s talking about when he calls LeBron James “LA Bron.”
"I know it's going to happen. I told you to call him LA 'Bron. For LeBron to be considered better than Jordan … to justify that he's the best player in the world ever, he's got to win a couple more championships somewhere else." — @Lavarbigballer pic.twitter.com/bbn6vE14pq
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) June 12, 2018
And let’s say — again for the sake of argument — that James won’t get the chance to teach Lonzo Ball “nothing.”
LaVar Ball says LeBron will join the Lakers and can’t teach Lonzo “nothing” https://t.co/GhcuKbm0QO pic.twitter.com/JfQXhf5lA7
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 14, 2018
Maybe LaVar Ball is right, because, according to ESPN’s Chris Hayes, there is a strong possibility that even if James heads west, “The King” will never be teammates with Lonzo Ball.
“The one constant that I’ve heard is Lonzo Ball.”
– @ChrisBHaynes on a potential piece to be moved for LeBron James
— ESPN Los Angeles (@ESPNLosAngeles) June 15, 2018
Hayes’ assertion makes sense.
If James wants to make the most money, the best option for him is to opt-in to his contract with Cleveland, then agree to a sign-and-trade with the Lakers.
In the NBA, trades have to include similar salaries, so the Cavs would have to take back Luol Deng, who is owed $18 million and $18.8 million over the next two seasons.
Cleveland would want something of actual value from the Lakers, such as Ball, Kyle Kuzma or Brandon Ingram.
In fact, because Ball and Ingram are both on rookie contracts, they would both need to be included in a deal for James — along with Deng (unless the sides agree on different players, of course).
It’s believed that L.A. is not only maneuvering for James, but also Kawhi Leonard, who has reportedly asked for trade from San Antonio.
If — and this is a big if — the Lakers and Spurs agree to a Leonard deal, it’s hard to imagine anyone left on the Lakers’ roster that Cleveland would desire.
Ball and/or Ingram would almost certainly need to be a piece in a trade for Leonard.
That would mean that if James wants to take his talents to the Stapes Center, he’d have to do it as a pure free agent, and not make as much as he hoped for.
Yes, the summer of LeBron is well underway, and could be a long ride.
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