Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends LeBron James To Warriors, Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga To Lakers

One NBA writer proposed that the Golden State Warriors acquire LeBron James from the Los Angeles Lakers this summer. 

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Warriors and Lakers:

The Deal: LeBron James and Jarred Vanderbilt for Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick and a 2029 first-round pick swap

The Warriors tried to acquire LeBron at this year’s trade deadline. LeBron can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Lakers. 

The leading scorer in NBA history, LeBron appeared in 71 games for the Lakers this season. He averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists while shooting 54.0% from the field, 41.0% from beyond the arc and 75.0% from the free-throw line. 

LeBron is close friends with Warriors forward Draymond Green. He also has a rapport with Golden State superstar Stephen Curry. 

“The foundation of this deal at least makes sense,” Bailey wrote. “The Lakers could kick off a rebuild with more high-upside draft assets (given the ages of Curry and LeBron) and at least one young player with star potential.

“Meanwhile, Golden State would have the two faces of this generation in the same lineup. Both are past their primes, but they played at an All-NBA level this season. It’s not hard to see how their games would mesh, especially if LeBron keeps shooting like he did in 2023-24, when he made a career-high 41.0 percent of his threes.”

The Warriors would be title contenders with Curry and LeBron leading the way. Curry is the best shooter in NBA history, while LeBron is arguably the GOAT. 

According to Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, LeBron is expected to play up to two more NBA seasons. The Lakers lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games. 

Meanwhile, the Warriors missed the playoffs this year despite Curry, Green and Klay Thompson being healthy.