In a strange whisper out of Los Angeles this week, KTLA broadcaster David Pingalore dropped a bombshell on the NBA community. According to him, the Lakers are actively trying to trade LeBron James before this month’s deadline and may have already found a potential landing spot for the 20-year veteran.
“Hearing from NBA peeps [LeBron James] is the top of the Lakers list to trade the 39-year-old,” he wrote in a post. “Pelinka is looking for the right team to dance with and is close to a suitor LeBron and [Davis] both out tonight.”
Hearing from @nba peeps @KingJames is the top of the @Lakers list to trade the 39 year old. Pelinka is looking for the right team to dance with and is close to a suitor Lbj and AD both out tonight. @KTLA @KTLA5SPORTS #nba #Lakers
— David Pingalore (@DavidPingalore) February 1, 2024
While skeptics were quick to shoot off the rumor as nonsense at first, the tune changed when fans noticed Pingalore’s track record of correct information in the past, including on Kawhi Leonard’s move to the Clippers.
The same reporter predicts that LeBron James will sign with the Lakers in 2018.
It seems this reporter has legitimate information in the past, but at this moment, it is really tough to believe the Lakers would trade LeBron James.
LeBron and Davis, who were both ruled out for tonight’s game against the Celtics with mysterious injuries, have yet to acknowledge any potential trade this season but the noise is certainly starting to get interesting as the trade deadline inches closer.
Why Lakers Should Trade LeBron James?
When you really think about where the Lakers are at right now, trading LeBron actually does make a lot of sense for them. Despite being mostly healthy this season, LeBron has been unable to pull the Lakers higher than 9th in the West standings and it’s looking worse and worse by the day. In fact, the tailspin in Los Angeles really began back in 2020, after they won the championship. They lost many of the pieces that helped them win that year and they failed to replace them with any reliable role-players. Then the Westbrook trade happened, followed by the firing of Frank Vogel and countless injuries in between.
So while it’s not all LeBron’s fault, he hasn’t been the same either. Statistically, he was off to a great start this season and he was on the outer edge of the early MVP conversation leading up to the in-season tournament Finals. But LeBron’s play has really fallen off since that stretch, and so have the Lakers at just 24-25 on the season. With no assets left to trade, the best path ahead for the Lakers may be to trade their veterans (like the Celtics did with Paul Piece and Kevin Garnett years ago) and start from scratch with a pool of assets and young players.
Best Place For LeBron?
As a potential free agent this summer, LeBron would be a rental for any team that trades for him this season. Even so, there would be some major benefits to having LeBron on your team for a few months. Even at 39, he can help a contending team win the title this season with his All-Star-level production and championship experience. With averages of 24.9 points, 7.7 assists, and 7.5 rebounds per game he’d be an instant fit almost anywhere.
One of the best places for James at this point of his career is undoubtedly the Golden State Warriors. With a group of aging veterans on a similarly tight win-now schedule, and a big hole in the wing position, the Warriors are in the best spot out of any team to benefit from LeBron’s abilities. Another situation that could work is the Cleveland Cavaliers. If LeBron wants to go back home (again) he can go back there and fill a position that they’ve needed for years now. At fifth in the East, the Cavs could very well win a title by adding James to their squad. For now, of course, all of this is just unconfirmed whispers and there are still so many unanswered questions on what the Lakers have planned amid their struggling season. At the very least, it’s clear that nothing is off the table as they look to change the status quo, and we can safely say that something will have to be given in order for them to advance.
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