A provocative trade concept has sent ripples through NBA circles: the Los Angeles Lakers could send ageing superstar LeBron James and his son Bronny to the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Utah Jazz as a third-party facilitator.
While it sounds like a wild fantasy, the proposal has sparked serious conversation among analysts and fans alike.
The origin of this trade buzz comes from a discussion on The Bill Simmons Podcast where Simmons floated the idea of LeBron and Bronny heading to Cleveland.
What elevated the scenario was the inclusion of a third team, Utah, aimed at resolving complex salary cap and roster constraints for all teams involved.
Anatomy of the proposed multi-team trade
Under the blueprint outlined, LeBron’s massive $52.6 million player option and Bronny’s rookie deal would shift to the Cavs. To balance salaries, Cleveland would send Darius Garland and Rui Hachimura to Utah, while the Lakers would receive Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Lonzo Ball, and a future draft pick from Utah.
Bill Simmons stressed that this trade is more than pie-in-the-sky. “Utah gets Darius Garland… the Lakers get Clarkson, Ball, Collins… and Utah has to throw a pick or two… because ultimately they’re getting Garland.”
While Garland isn’t deemed untouchable, Simmons admitted he doubts Cleveland would give him up lightly.
Why the Lakers might entertain it, and why it’s complicated
LeBron’s decision to pick up his player option for 2025-26 stirred ripples throughout the league. The Lakers now find themselves “in Luka mode,” according to Simmons, already pivoting around Luka Doncic and may feel pressure to reconfigure their roster.
However, ESPN’s Bobby Marks has argued that a trade is wildly improbable. He notes that LeBron is 40 years old, commanding a $53 million salary, and bound by a one-year deal with a no-trade clause, factors that nullify most trade interest.
For LeBron, a homecoming to Cleveland carries emotional weight. Chairman of his career narrative, Akron-born James revived the Cavaliers before leading them to the 2016 NBA title.
A send-off in familiar territory, possibly alongside Bronny, would be poetic.
Yet Cleveland, managing its own salary cap tightrope, would struggle to absorb LeBron’s massive contract without offloading key players like Garland or Evan Mobley.
Read the full article here
