If LeBron James tried to put out the fire he himself caused by talking about the Lakers’ departure in the long term during the All-Star Break, several journalists are rushing into the breach in the United States. One of them, known to the general public, even dropped the deal he advocated for the King to leave Los Angeles.
It was still unthinkable a few months ago, and yet: for the first time in his career, LeBron James ends up in transfer rumours. Nothing serious at this stage, rest assured, but rather a simple speculation in the middle of the slump in which the Lakers are plunged. Because at 37, and in a breathless purple and gold roster, the question of a trade could arise during the summer.
If Angelinos fans do have reason to worry, American journalists are already putting together some pretty far-fetched hypothetical scenarios. Hours after renowned ESPN’s Brian Windhorst revealed that several respected executives advised the Lakers to trade both James and Anthony Davis, Colin Cowherd made his trade proposal.
A blockbuster trade around LeBron James proposed by a journalist
Colin Cowherd’s trade idea:
Miami Heat receive: LeBron James
LA Lakers receive: Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson and 3 first round picks
(Via @TheHerd ) pic.twitter.com/YkaU97WXd9
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 28, 2022
Colin Cowherd’s trade idea:
The Miami Heat receives: LeBron James
The Los Angeles Lakers receive: Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson and 3 first draft rounds
In general, the idea blown by Cowherd was not well received on the networks. The logic, however, stands at first glance: Pat Riley loves stars and has never hidden that LeBron James would be welcomed with open arms in the event of a return. The King himself, aware that Russell Westbrook’s poisonous contract risks handicapping the Lakers’ 2022-2023 season in the same way as the current one, could begin to consider his options.
However, several problems come to calm the ardor of the journalist. The first is that the Angelinos probably do not intend to trade their mega-star, except to make a radical decision to go on an XXL reconstruction – not the most likely scenario, far from it.
Then comes the question of Miami’s interest in making such a move. James is 38 years old, and he could probably only contribute at the expected level for one or two seasons. In addition, his fit with Jimmy Butler does not seem frankly obvious, the two men needing to handle the ball in their team. It is therefore difficult to see the Florida franchise parting with 3 picks from the first round (!), its veteran point guard, its sniper and a probable future All-Star in the person of Herro for 2 or 3 years of a LeBron at the end of their career.
While the defeats pile up and LeBron James has opened Pandora’s box by evoking a departure from the Lakers in the long term, journalists compete in inventiveness to put together the most convincing package. Convinced or not by that of Colin Cowherd? In any case, Lakers fans can be reassured, all of this is pure hypothesis at this stage…
