Lakers Need to Hand Keys to Luka Doncic and Trade LeBron James Now

[BallsOut]

Lukas contract is up in 2026. Lakers cannot afford a season of losing or ambiguity on whose team it is with LeBron still on the roster and the media drama that comes with it. The Lakers need to maximize their chances of retaining Luka Doncic beyond 2026 and that starts with trading LeBron James now.

Send LeBron to Chicago for Lavine or to Indiana for Myles Turner

Lakers are one move away from a dynasty for the next decade

The time is now.

[ShawkFactory]

Neither team you mentioned would do that right now. Nor would Lebron and you know he has pull.

He has a lot of respect for Luka and my guess is at this stage of his career he’ll be willing to give the reigns up quite a bit when they’re on the court together. He’s very savvy off-ball and that will fit well.

Kind of a passing the torch situation here I think. The Lakers are set.

[Kblaze8855]

What you do is send every doctor you have to New Orleans to look at Zion and try to send LeBron and a sweetener for him with the understanding he will be bought out. New Orleans is going to rebuild anyway. They could probably get something better than the picks the Lakers could give them though.

I guess it doesn’t hurt to see if you can win a title this season but after that, you can’t really do anything because he has a player option.

There is nowhere to send LeBron that wouldn’t buy him out. Unless they send him to Miami for Jimmy Butler. He would Be able to match salary and wouldn’t interfere with their plans to get cap space. But he isn’t the age to team up with Luka.

The obvious plan for everyone is to wait for Giannis, but that’s year after next

[BallsOut]

Neither team you mentioned would do that right now. Nor would Lebron and you know he has pull.

He has a lot of respect for Luka and my guess is at this stage of his career he’ll be willing to give the reigns up quite a bit when they’re on the court together. He’s very savvy off-ball and that will fit well.

Kind of a passing the torch situation here I think. The Lakers are set.

The Lakers would do either trade if they're smart. LeBron has never taken a back seat to anyone in his career except for Wade in Miami during the finals against the Mavs. Shit aint happening. And it's not worth risking losing Doncic in free agency either. This is Lukas team now. Give him the keys and the ball.

And no it wont fit well. There's only one ball to go around and LeBron has never sacrificed his numbers for the good of any NBA team, wins be damned.

Pass the torch and trade LeBron now. Dont blow this LA

[90sgoat]

Trade Lebron for Sabonis.

Luka
Reaves
Knecht
Kleber
Sabonis

There you go.

[BallsOut]

I forgot LeBron has a no trade clause. Ouch. Lakers shot themselves in the foot with that one. If Luka leaves it's because LeBron won't take a backseat and try to force his stats which takes away from Luka

[Full Court]

I forgot LeBron has a no trade clause. Ouch. Lakers shot themselves in the foot with that one. If Luka leaves it's because LeBron won't take a backseat and try to force his stats which takes away from Luka

As a Laker hater, I'm kind of looking forward to seeing how this turns out.

[ShawkFactory]

I forgot LeBron has a no trade clause. Ouch. Lakers shot themselves in the foot with that one. If Luka leaves it's because LeBron won't take a backseat and try to force his stats which takes away from Luka

He’s 40 years old dude. Why would Luka leave when he’s 25 and could have 10 years post Lebron with the Lakers? Stop it.

[BallsOut]

He’s 40 years old dude. Why would Luka leave when he’s 25 and could have 10 years post Lebron with the Lakers? Stop it.

Same reason Kyrie left LeBron. Luka is the best player on the team. LeBron will do his best to sabotage that just like he did with Wade in NBA finals vs Mavs