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A LeBron James-Cleveland Cavaliers Trade that Actually Makes Sense
Lord of the Rings. The Dark Knight. The Godfather (at least, the first two).
Could LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers become the latest and greatest trilogy?
With reports of frustration by Los Angeles Lakers governor Jeanie Buss surrounding James and his uncertain future in L.A. with free agency approaching, is a split best for everyone? James didn't exactly give a glowing endorsement of finishing this season with the Lakers, either.
James owns a no-trade clause, however, meaning any potential destination would need to be a championship contender and not deter from the legacy he's built.
Cleveland checks both these boxes.
The second apron looms large over the heads of the Cavs front office, however, with any trade for James needing to include a massive salary dump, meaning a third team would have to be involved.
There's a way for the Cavaliers to trade for James without giving up Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley or Darius Garland, the Lakers to acquire a younger All-Star forward in his place and a third team to be compensated mightily with players, draft picks and future salary relief.
This is the LeBron trade that actually makes sense.
Full Trade Scenario
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Cleveland Cavaliers Receive:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive:
Utah Jazz Receive:
The Cavaliers are the only NBA team in the second apron, which would normally mean there's zero chance of trading for a player like James who is making $52.6 million. They are forbidden from aggregating contracts, which means this trade must end with them shedding over $20 million in payroll to get below the second apron line, which it does.
They accomplish this feat by bringing in the Jazz, a team that's currently $43 million below the luxury tax line and owns an $18.4 million trade exception via the John Collins trade last summer.
With the Lakers right up against the first apron and needing to avoid adding salary as well, Utah makes a perfect trade partner to get a LeBron James reunion in Cleveland done.
Why the Cleveland Cavaliers Do It
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The Cleveland Cavaliers no longer need LeBron James to ride in on a white horse and save the franchise, although they could use a little boost in what's been a lackluster season thus far.
A 27-20 record is only good enough for fifth place in a wide-open East, a conference many thought the Cavs would be running away with by now.
If the Cavs can somehow get James (who's averaging 24.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.2 steals on 52.1 percent shooting this month) while still keeping Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, they absolutely should explore that possibility.
James brings the toughness and postseason experience this roster needs after three straight early playoff exits. There's a nostalgia factor to be sure as James winds down his legendary career, but the 41-year-old can actually help the Cavs win a title this summer, exactly 10 years after he led them to their first in franchise history in 2016.
The Cavs would have a starting five of Garland, Mitchell, Dean Wade, James and Mobley and still have Jaylon Tyson (who's been excellent in Year 2), Larry Nance Jr., Craig Porter Jr., Tyrese Proctor and Thomas Bryant. Cleveland would need to fill two roster spots while still staying under the second apron, most likely converting two-way players like Nae'Qwan Tomlin and Chris Livingston into guaranteed deals.
The depth takes a hit here, although the Utah Jazz would need to waive two players to make the deal official, paving the way for a Kevin Love or Georges Niang reunion in Cleveland as well.
The most underrated part of this trade is that the Cavs would be free of second apron restrictions and shave over $100 million in salary and luxury tax payments this season alone. James' $52.6 million salary expires this summer, with the real possibility of he and the Cavs coming to terms on a new one-year, team-friendly deal that sets him up for one final NBA season to make a title run in his home state.
The Cavaliers keep their three All-Stars, bring James back to go all-in for a championship and get out of the second apron with financial flexibility coming this summer.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers Do It
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As productive as LeBron James has been even in Year 23, everything the Los Angeles Lakers do moving forward needs to be built around Luka Dončić.
The Lakers' net rating is a measly minus-2.4 with both Dončić and James on the floor this season, yet jumps to plus-4.4 with Dončić on and James off. With James set to hit unrestricted free agency in a few months and his time in the NBA coming to an end, the Lakers need to use his contract to help facilitate a deal for a new co-star now before it's too late.
Lauri Markkanen is having a monster year for the Utah Jazz, putting up 27.9 points (ninth-highest in the NBA) to go along with 7.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.0 steals a game on 56.3 percent shooting from two and 36.5 percent from three. The 7-foot forward has a swing rating of plus-16.9, ranking in the 98th percentile via Cleaning the Glass).
Markkanen, 28, fits the timeline far better alongside Dončić (27 next month), Austin Reaves (27) and now Jarrett Allen (27). This is a group that would be competitive for years and years to come.
If the Lakers don't want to commit to Deandre Ayton beyond this season ($8.1 million player option for 2026-27), Allen is the perfect rim-protecting, lob-catching center to play next to Dončić. He's also set to begin a reasonable three-year, $90.7 million extension that will start at $28 million next year.
The Lakers get the best player in the trade in Markkanen and only give up one new first-round pick while removing the protection on the 2027 pick already owed to the Jazz from the Russell Westbrook deal.
Why the Utah Jazz Do It
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Even tanking strategically resting players this season hasn't been good enough for the Utah Jazz to be one of the NBA's worst teams, as a 15-31 record doesn't even have them in the bottom five. A reminder that if the Jazz get the ninth pick or worse, it conveys to the Oklahoma City Thunder. A top-eight selection is a must.
The easiest way to get there? Trade the team's best player.
Lauri Markkanen's trade value is at an all-time high thanks to his stupendous season. The Jazz should do everything they can to trade him now while still eyeing a return of draft picks, expiring salary and veterans they can shop later.
Utah owns the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick in 2027 (top-four protected), one that becomes completely unprotected in this trade. They also get L.A.'s 2031 first-rounder (with a top-four protection), one that will come due when Luka Dončić is 32.
Gabe Vincent ($11.5 million) and Lonzo Ball ($10 million team option for 2026-27) are essentially $21.5 million in expiring money, helping to open up even more cap space this summer when Walker Kessler is due for a new contract.
De'Andre Hunter (13.8 points), Sam Merrill (13.8 points, 45.5 percent from three) and Max Strus (9.4 points on 38.6 percent from three last year) could be moved to a contender immediately and should draw interest on the trade market either at the deadline or this summer.
This trade helps the Jazz secure a top-eight pick in the 2026 draft, adds more (and better) draft capital, frees up over $20 million in cap space and brings in three veteran wings with trade value.
Assuming Utah waives both Vincent and Ball, they would need to release two additional players. Kevin Love, Georges Niang and Kyle Anderson are the most likely candidates, all playing on expiring contracts.
Note: The Jazz use their $18.4 million traded player exception to absorb Strus' $15.9 million salary.
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