Wild 5-Team NBA Trade Idea to Move LeBron James, Pair Giannis with Luka Dončić

In an NBA that saw Luka Dončić traded to the Los Angeles Lakers, it's increasingly difficult to write off the most outlandish trade concepts.

Speculation becomes inevitable when LeBron James and Anthony Davis simultaneously post the same message on Instagram: "Becoming the best version of yourself comes with a lot of goodbyes" (h/t Erich Richter of the New York Post).

James and Davis won a title together with the Lakers in 2020, but Davis was the key piece sent to Dallas for Dončić.

The notion of the duo reuniting with the Mavericks is complicated, but arguable. The recent Instagram posts may add fuel to the fire, but instead of rehashing covered ground, what of the word last week from ESPN's Shams Charania that Giannis Antetokounmpo is still considering his future in Milwaukee with the Bucks?

Several teams waited for as long as possible before executing their offseason transactions, hoping Antetokounmpo would force his way out. Cap strategist Yossi Gozlan took a look at the Antetokounmpo trade landscape, looking specifically at the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. Others, like the Miami Heat or Toronto Raptors, could make a case, but fundamentally, Antetokounmpo will decide where he wants to play next.

That may be Milwaukee for the rest of his career, or with his contract nearing completion (player option to explore unrestricted free agency after the 2026-27 campaign), that could be a new home with Antetokounmpo's representation influencing his destination. Teams off of his preferred list may be willing to send multiple first-round picks and young talent, but if Antetokounmpo makes it clear that he won't re-sign, those offers quickly dry up.

The following multi-team trade idea explores the "What if?" of Antetokounmpo specifically choosing the Lakers, James approving relocation to the Mavericks, and then some help from the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets to make it viable.

Such a deal might hinge on Austin Reaves, who is in a similar situation as an expected unrestricted free agent in 2026, capable of dissuading the Bucks from bringing him in as the key piece for Antetokounmpo.

But the following trade concept is based in reality and makes sense for every party.

Full Trade Scenario

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Mavericks get:

• LeBron James (from Lakers)
• Bronny James (from Lakers)
• Andre Jackson Jr. (from Bucks)
• Tyler Smith (from Bucks)
• Drew Timme (from Nets)

Lakers get:

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (from Bucks)
• Olivier-Maxence Prosper (from Mavericks)
• Tyrese Martin (from Nets)
• $4 million trade exception (Dalton Knecht)
• $2 million trade exception (Bronny James)

Bucks get:

• RJ Barrett (from Raptors)
• PJ Washington (from Mavericks)
• Caleb Martin (from Mavericks)
• Naji Marshall (from Mavericks)
• $2 million trade exception (Tyler Smith)
• 2026 first-round swap rights (from Lakers)
• 2026 Lakers second-rounder (via Raptors)
• 2028 first-round swap rights (from Lakers)
• 2030 first-round swap rights (from Lakers)
• 2031 first-rounder (from Lakers)
• 2032 first-round swap rights (from Lakers)

Raptors get:

• Daniel Gafford (from Mavericks)
• $13.3 million trade exception (RJ Barrett)

Nets get:

• Dalton Knecht (from Lakers)
• Jaden Hardy (from Mavericks)
• Dwight Powell (from Mavericks)

Notes: James, who has a no-trade clause, allows the trade to Dallas and waives his trade bonus to keep the team under its second-apron hard cap ($207.8 million). The Lakers use the expanded trade exception from James to take in Antetokounmpo and Prosper, while staying under their first-apron hard cap ($195.7 million).

Brooklyn takes Knecht, Hardy and Powell into its available cap room, waiving Powell once players pass physicals and the deal is official. Martin and Timme's outgoing salaries from the Nets remain non-guaranteed, as does Jackson's from the Bucks.

The Bucks have pre-existing swaps in 2026, 2028 and 2030, getting the Lakers' selection if higher, L.A. getting the lower result.

Why the Dallas Mavericks Do It

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The Mavericks can stick with their depth, or add arguably the greatest player in NBA history.

James may technically be past his prime, nearing 41 in December, but he was still powerful enough to earn All-NBA Second Team honors last season with the Lakers. He's in the final year of his contract, but Dallas would do its due diligence to make sure it gets another couple of seasons from James.

The Mavericks retain No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg along with Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Dereck Lively II, Max Christie, Brandon Williams, D'Angelo Russell and Davis. Naturally, Bronny James is part of the deal with his legendary father. Smith is the only other addition with a fully guaranteed contract. Dallas can choose to fill out the rest of the roster with a couple of vets at the minimum instead of Jackson or Timme (with a spot still saved for Dante Exum, who has yet to make his deal official).

Dallas might miss Gafford, but Davis plays significant minutes at center. Moving Washington opens minutes for Flagg; Marshall, Martin, Powell, Hardy and Prosper are casualties to acquire James.

The Mavericks still have the depth to compete at the upper levels of the Western Conference, with a more viable chance to win it all with James and Davis reunited.

Why the Los Angeles Lakers Do It

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The chance to pair Antetokounmpo with Dončić is a no-brainer for the Lakers. The relationship with James is nearing an end; L.A. didn't offer him a two-year deal this summer, prompting James to opt in. For a superstar accustomed to almost always getting what he wants contractually, James has obviously noticed the shift from the James to Dončić eras.

Any deal the Lakers make with James must come with his endorsement, since he has the no-trade clause. From the franchise's point of view, it should get a massive haul for James. His age, however, limits how much other teams are willing to give. The collection of players going to the Bucks may be solid, but the Lakers need to give up essentially all of their available first-round compensation, plus Knecht (and Bronny James).

Including Reaves is a step too far for the Lakers, who would have limited means to add an offensive player of that caliber with no future picks to offer and limited remaining trade bait.

Ultimately, L.A. doesn't lose significant depth. Prosper and Martin are in the deal to help balance roster spots with the participating teams. The Lakers can replace Martin with a vet on a minimum contract; regardless, the franchise won't be able to get to 15 players until deeper into the season when contracts pro-rate low enough to fit within the first-apron hard cap.

Why the Milwaukee Bucks Do It

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The premise is that Antetokounmpo pushes his way out, specifically to Los Angeles, and the Bucks are willing to honor that request based on their long, positive relationship with the best player in franchise history since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson were winning back in 1971. Antetokounmpo, in this scenario, has scared off other suitors.

With all that said, why not draw the line that Reaves is in the deal as well? The Bucks could certainly take that approach, but the 27-year-old guard has already indicated that he won't extend his current contract.

Reaves is eligible for a deal starting at about $20 million, but will seek at least $30 million (with an eye on a max, if he can deliver an All-Star-level season). If he's the centerpiece of an Antetokounmpo trade, Reaves is making it clear before it's executed that he expects a max from Milwaukee—and may give no assurances that he'll re-sign.

The Bucks would need to be very, very comfortable that Reaves is max-worthy, because they won't be able to live down if they let the main piece back in the deal walk as an unrestricted free agent.

Instead, Milwaukee pivots to get Barrett, 25, from Toronto, who is still under contract next season at $29.6-$33.2 million (depending on incentives). That gives the Bucks more time to build properly, without over-investing too quickly. Barrett is coming off career bests with 21.1 points and 5.4 assists per game (on par with Reaves' production in Los Angeles).

The Bucks also add capable veterans like Washington, Martin and Marshall, a welcome infusion of talent. With their first-round pick swapped with the New Orleans Pelicans (the higher selection going to the Atlanta Hawks), Milwaukee isn't looking to tank post-Antetokounmpo. Instead, the team has a deep, viable roster in the wide-open Eastern Conference. Don't expect a deep postseason run, but a playoff berth is reasonably attainable if the team remains healthy.

Milwaukee ends up under the tax with 16 guaranteed players after the trade. That may lead to the waiver of Chris Livingston before the start of the season. He recently re-signed and cannot be traded until December.

Why the Toronto Raptors Do It

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The Raptors can choose to just pay the luxury tax this season, incurring a penalty in the $3 million range based on the current roster. Teams under the tax project to get a kickback in the $10 million range after the season, increasing the net loss to about $13 million.

Toronto recently extended Jakob Pöltl, but it just has Sandro Mamukelashvili behind him on a minimum contract. Gafford gives the Raptors solid depth at the position, giving up where it has a surplus in wings after acquiring and extending Brandon Ingram earlier in the year.

The Raptors get comfortably out of the tax, while opening minutes for players like Gradey Dick, Ochai Agbaji, etc. The second-round pick given up to the Bucks should be low, assuming the Lakers with Dončić and Antetokounmpo have at least a top-10 record.

Barrett is a good player, but then so is Gafford. The Raptors gain roster balance, reduce payroll and get out of the luxury tax.

Why the Brooklyn Nets Do It

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Brooklyn uses its available cap space to take on and waive Powell. The Nets profit in the deal by getting relatively free looks at young players like Knecht and Hardy.

Shooting in the NBA is a premium, and Knecht, 24, would partner with Michael Porter Jr. to help space the floor for the team's many recent draft acquisitions like Egor Demin, Nolan Traoré, Drake Powell, Ben Saraf and Danny Wolf.

Hardy, 23, is a young combo guard on an inexpensive multi-year deal at $6 million flat (team option before the 2027-28 season). The Nets are evaluating talent; the players traded away may need to be cut for roster space (Martin and Timme).

Two more will need to go before opening night, assuming restricted free agent Cam Thomas re-signs with the team. Brooklyn also has deals in place to bring back center Day'Ron Sharpe and wing Ziaire Williams, but may hold off until it uses its cap space opportunistically in trade (like in this complex, wild theoretical).

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