NBA Trade Idea: Cavaliers Acquire LeBron James, Austin Reaves From Lakers, Walker Kessler From Jazz

July 29, 2025

LeBron James, Austin Reaves and Walker Kessler on the Cleveland Cavaliers next NBA season?

Boy, wouldn’t that be fun?

It’s the dog days of the NBA offseason, so fantasy trade ideas are flying everywhere. The latest came from Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report, who created the following trade idea between the Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets:

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F LeBron James, G Austin Reaves, C Walker Kessler, 2027 first-round pick (lottery-protected via Miami Heat) and save $27.2 million

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: F Lauri Markkanen, F De’Andre Hunter, G/F Max Strus

Utah Jazz Receive: PG Darius Garland, F Maxi Kleber

Charlotte Hornets Receive: C Jarrett Allen

Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Grant Williams, F Jarred Vanderbilt, 2027 first-round pick (top-2 protected via Dallas Mavericks)

Since LeBron has a no-trade clause in his contract, he would have to request a trade from the Lakers to the Cavaliers for this trade idea to happen.

The best player in Cleveland franchise history, LeBron will make $52.6 million next season in the final year of his contract.

Yes, LeBron turns 41 in December. Yes, he’s the oldest active player in the NBA.

However, King James made the All-NBA Second Team and finished sixth in MVP voting last season. The future Hall of Famer is still an elite basketball player.

The Cavaliers are getting LeBron, Reaves and Kessler in this blockbuster trade idea. Head coach Kenny Atkinson could start Reaves, Donovan Mitchell, LeBron, Evan Mobley and Kessler.

Cleveland was the first seed in the East last season. Atkinson’s group swept the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. It appeared the Cavaliers would contend for the championship for the first time in the second post-LeBron era.

However, the Indiana Pacers beat Cleveland in the conference semifinals in five games. The Cavaliers haven’t advanced past the second round of the playoffs since 2018. LeBron took the 2017-18 team to the NBA Finals.

Is LeBron going to request a trade from the Lakers? Probably not. However, if he does, Swartz has outlined a way for the Cavaliers to get the leading scorer of all time.