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LeBron James Trade Watch: 20 Best Deals The Lakers Would Immediately Accept

LeBron James Trade Watch: 20 Best Deals The Lakers Would Immediately Accept

Yahoo13-07-2025
LeBron James Trade Watch: 20 Best Deals The Lakers Would Immediately Accept originally appeared on Fadeaway World.
The NBA world might experience some more major moves: the Lakers, in a headline-stealing blockbuster, shipped Anthony Davis to Dallas and welcomed Luka Doncic, instantly shifting the franchise's future. Now, rumors are swirling that this isn't the end of LA's makeover.
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Whispers suggest LeBron James might be contemplating his exit, as the front office zeroes in on a Doncic-first future amid a very interesting offseason. And yet, through it all, LeBron remains center stage of every rumor, every hot take, every 'will-he/won't-he' story.
But while everyone's talking Luka, LeBron's casting a long shadow, his leadership, legacy, and handshake-tight no-trade clause (which he reminded the world about with a mic-dropping reply: 'If I had concerns… I'd waive my no-trade clause and get up out of here') make him tougher to swap than you might think.
So here we go: the definitive ranking of the 20 trade packages the Lakers should consider if they're serious about pivoting to the Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves era, and maybe, just maybe, if they're quietly preparing for life without LeBron. Strap in.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Proposed Trade Details
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Darius Garland, Max Strus, 2031 first-round pick (CLE)
LeBron James ending his career where it all started would be the best way to complete the fairytale, but the Cavaliers might also have the best player to be traded in a deal for The King. Swapping LeBron for Darius Garland is less about a consolation prize and more about injecting elite youth into L.A.
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Garland averaged 20.6 PPG and 6.7 APG on 47.2/40.1/87.8 splits in 75 games this past season, the only Eastern Conference player combining 20+ points, 6+ assists, and 40% 3-point shooting. He's a rising All-Star who can lead the Luka-driven charge, light the skies with deep balls, and keep defenses honest.
Max Strus is another interesting X‑factor. With Cleveland, Strus brought around 9.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.2 APG in 2024, and shone in the playoffs (18/9/5 in Game 3 vs. Miami), proving he's more than just a 3-point shooter. He adds much-needed versatility and defensive IQ, a perfect blend to complement Luka and Garland.
This deal dares to dream big: a young backcourt of Doncic + Garland with sharpshooting depth from Strus, and future assets. It's bold, it's fresh, and it respects the rebuild without losing competitiveness. Maybe it's even too good to pass up.
2. New York Knicks
Proposed Trade Details
New York Knicks Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, 2025 Second-Round Pick (BOS or MEM), 2026 Second-Round Pick (BOS or WAS swap rights)
LeBron James in Madison Square Garden alongside Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns would also be groundbreaking news. The King belongs in a big market, but the Lakers would only send him to the Knicks if it means bringing back three starting-caliber players.
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Mikal Bridges is the LeBron replacement you actually want: tough, 6'7" length, and sterile on both ends. In '24-'25, he delivered 17.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.7 APG while locking down perimeter threats. He'd thrive patrolling wings alongside Doncic's gravity, enforcing, spacing, and flat-out winning.
Josh Hart (13.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG) brings elite hustle and defensive bite, exactly what a high-IQ defense needs. Mitchell Robinson anchors inside with elite rim protection (1.1 BPG) and makes up with boardhouse presence. Together, they give LA immediate toughness, a toughness that's essential in the West grind.
This isn't just a retool, it's a cultural reset, since we won't sleep on those swapped rights picks; frontloaded value to boot.
3. Golden State Warriors
Proposed Trade Details
Golden State Warriors Receive: LeBron James, Adou Thiero
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jonathan Kuminga (Sign-and-Trade), Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, 2028 first-round pick
Other than the Cavs and Knicks, LeBron being a part of the Golden State Warriors would be so massive that it would change the entire season. LeBron with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green would scream superteam status once again. What would the Lakers ask for if they don't want an aging veteran? Jonathan Kuminga and three other players.
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Jonathan Kuminga has shown flashes of brilliance. In '24-25, he put up 15.3 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 APG on 45.4% shooting, showing he can shine when the lights get bright. Pairing him with Doncic and Austin Reaves could spark a dangerous two-way punch.
Brandin Podziemski (11.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG) & Buddy Hield (11.1 PPG) mean instant spacing. Hield remains one of the more reliable catch-and-shoot guards in the game; Moody is 23, high-upside, lightning-quick with averages of 9.8 PPG and 2.6 RPG last season. This quartet represents both present floor spacing and future value, anchored by a 2028 first-rounder to sweeten the shot.
Sure, the price is steep, but so is the reward. You're swapping for future stars, shooting, and still planting a flag in the draft. And let's be honest, who doesn't want a Luka–Kuminga sidekick story? It's Hollywood-ready.
4. Denver Nuggets
Potential Trade Details
Denver Nuggets Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson, Zeke Nnaji, 2028 first-round pick swap
The Denver Nuggets will want to acquire LeBron James at all costs, because Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray having a dominant third star would be game over for the West. The Lakers will have no problem accepting the Nuggets' deal to bolster their thin frontcourt.
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Aaron Gordon brings a gritty, do-everything attitude. In 2024-25, he averaged 14.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 3.2 APG, all on a smooth .531/.810 shooting slash line. He's that glue guy who crashes boards, defends multiple positions, and can burn one from deep. With Luka's scoring gravity, Gordon could thrive as the Swiss Army knife.
Cam Johnson, recently acquired and only available for a trade after the recently traded restriction passes, posted 18.8 PPG, 39% from deep, adding 4.3 RPG on 2.8 treys per game. He spaces the floor like a dream, giving Luka the room to operate and preventing defenses from pinning down the penetrator-in-chief.
Zeke Nnaji may have only played 10.7 MPG on average, but he flashed promise, scoring where it counts, hitting 49.6% FG, even sinking 32.7% of his limited 3s. Toss in a 2028 pick swap, and you've got a mix of now, soon, and later. Smart, solid, and spicy.
5. Boston Celtics
Proposed Trade Details
Boston Celtics Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Derrick White, Anfernee Simons, Baylor Scheierman, 2032 second-round pick
Derrick White is everything you want if you are the Lakers: a lockdown defender and a consistent knock-down threat. He averaged 16.4 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.5 RPG, shooting a reliable 44.2% FG and 38.4% from deep. He's the heady veteran who could shore up perimeter D around a young core.
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Anfernee Simons is the anti-LeBron in energy and volume. He rolled out 19.3 PPG, 4.8 APG, with serious deep ball pop. He'd pressure defenses, liven up the bench, and give LA a ball-handler who plays with reckless freedom.
Baylor Scheierman turned heads, dropping 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in his first start. He's a developmental project with two-way potential and a dirt-cheap salary. Sweetener, spark, and some Celtics swagger.
The Celtics would obviously snatch one of the all-time greats from their rivals, and a potential Big Three with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown would be incredible to watch. Would the Lakers and Celtics ever do business? Considering what we have seen from NBA teams last season, anything is possible.
6. Toronto Raptors
Potential Trade Details
Toronto Raptors Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Immanuel Quickley, Jakob Poeltl, 2025 first-round pick (TOR), 2027 first-round pick (TOR)
The Raptors took a gamble by acquiring Kawhi Leonard to win a championship, and they could do the same with LeBron to pair him with Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram. The Lakers could ask for two pieces: a shooter and a big man.
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Immanuel Quickley averaged about 17.1 PPG in only 33 games, stirring games with speed and step-back triples. He brings instant juice to a Luka-led offense, a turbo-dunk in short bursts with serious scoring flash.
Jakob Poeltl is a 7'1' anchor, elite rim protector (1.2 BPG) and hardwood bruiser (9.6 RPG). He'd lock down the paint since we don't expect Deandre Ayton to put much of an effort defensively, giving this retooled LA defense a backbone.
Two first-round picks from Toronto? That's roadmap material. One arrives in '25, the next in '27. It's nuts: youth, interior defense, draft capital, and leans fully into the Luka reset. Bold and bankable.
7. San Antonio Spurs
Potential Trade Details
San Antonio Spurs Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, 2027 first-round pick (SAS), 2027 first-round pick (ATL)
If we see LeBron James paired up with Victor Wembanyama and De'Aaron Fox, the Western Conference would be placed on notice. For the Lakers, they would require two young talents and two picks from the Spurs to make this happen.
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Devin Vassell posted a sophomore-esque progression in 2024-25, averaging 16.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, shooting 44.3% from the floor and 36.8% from deep over 64 games. At just 24, he's a multi-tool wing who fits seamlessly alongside Luka, spacing the floor, cutting hard, and is capable of handling the ball.
Keldon Johnson averaged 12.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and shot 48.2% from the field in 77 games last season. He was responsible for providing offense off the bench, proving he can deliver instant heat in bursts, a gritty, energetic glue piece who brings toughness and underscores in the same breath. He's exactly the kind of secondary scorer a Luka-Reaves core would need.
This package gives L.A. two ascending players still on reasonable contracts, packing both now-value and future upside. Toss in dual picks too, and the trade becomes a strategic play for depth, youth, and long-term flexibility. The tone: pragmatic, smart, this feels like a realistic pivot move if LA wants to reload rather than reset.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves
Potential Trade Details
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley, 2026 second-round pick (UTA), 2029 second-round pick (MIN)
The Minnesota Timberwolves might have been going after Kevin Durant, but since he went to Houston, LeBron James could be the next-best veteran to pair with Anthony Edwards. Of course, it will be pricey.
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Julius Randle was a force in 2024-25, slashing 18.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 4.7 APG while shooting a hefty 48.5% from the floor over 69 games. He's the kind of bully-forward who can relieve Luka of heavy lifting inside and offer mentorship plus toughness. And he just re-upped on a three-year, $100M deal, meaning you lock in a core stabilizer.
Donte DiVincenzo brought 11.7 PPG, 3.6 APG, and shot 39.7% from deep in 25.9 MPG, a perfect spot-up shooter for Luka and Reaves. Mike Conley is close to retirement, but he can be the perfect backup point guard for the Lakers. Both guys bring hustle, spacing, and perimeter defense without needing the ball.
This is a veteran-laden, win-now haul with floorspace, leadership, and future bench heat. Three draftables sweeten the deal, making it feel like smart roster engineering. It's not flashy, but real.
9. Phoenix Suns
Potential Trade Details
Phoenix Suns Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jalen Green, Grayson Allen
The newly-acquired Jalen Green could be dangled in trade discussions for The King after the recently-traded restriction clears, because the Suns already have Devin Booker and Bradley Beal on the roster. Green erupted in the regular season, dropping 21.5 PPG on 46% shooting, including high-volume threes. He's a young, rocket-armed shot-maker who can create off the bounce and catch fire quickly; it'd be a bold sidekick for Luka.
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Grayson Allen chipped in 12.3 PPG, knocking down 39% from deep, all while locking in defensively. He'd win trust from coaches with his off-ball cuts, screens, and hustle, plus bring locker-room swagger.
This is high-risk, high-reward: pure youth with scoring upside and minimal support around them. If Green hits, it's dynamic; if not, it's a swing-and-miss. But Luka might just spark it.
10. Sacramento Kings
Potential Trade Details
Sacramento Kings Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk, Dario Saric, 2029 first-round pick (SAC)
DeMar DeRozan continues to defy age with a polished 2024-25 season with the Sacramento Kings, 22.2 PPG, 4.4 APG, 3.9 RPG on 47.7% shooting in 77 starts. The 35-year-old is one of the league's deadliest midrange scorers and still carves defenses up with crafty footwork and a knack for drawing fouls. Plugged into a Luka-led engine, DeRozan doesn't need the ball 90% of the time but will dominate when needed, great for playoff balance.
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Malik Monk averaged 17.2 PPG, 5.6 APG, 3.8 RPG across 65 games, showcasing evolution as a high-volume scorer and secondary playmaker. He shoots 32.5% from three and plays with burner pace, ideal for closing quarters or igniting a cold bench. Monk's breakout in January, 27 points and 12 assists in one fantasy highlight night, reveals his ceiling as more than just a shooter.
Dario Saric might not light up the box score, but he's a versatile 3-and-D stretch four who brings spacing and savvy on the second unit. Toss in a 2029 first-rounder, Lakers reset timelines without mortgaging the present. This deal strikes as smart surgery: veteran scoring, bench firepower, and asset stockpiling. It'd feel like Luka gets serious room to operate, while LA retains control of its destiny.
11. New Orleans Pelicans
Potential Trade Details
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: LeBron James, Adou Thiero
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, Jordan Hawkins
The New Orleans Pelicans might want a mentor for Zion Williamson and Herb Jones, and LeBron James is that man. Even Jeremiah Fears could benefit from playing behind one of the NBA's greatest passers. For the Lakers, this is their time to re-tool.
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Dejounte Murray brings lockdown defense and dynamic playmaking, following up his 2024 All-Defensive First Team selection with 17.5 PPG, 7.4 APG, 2.0 SPG in 31 games due to a major issue. When healthy, Murray can initiate the offense, hounding perimeter threats, and spark transition, everything a Luka-centric system covets.
Saddiq Bey knocks down a 35.2% from three over his career so far, averaging 14.1 PPG while wearing a Swiss-army-knife hat; able to switch across positions and hit threes consistently. He brings length, pick-and-pop spacing, and athletic upside in a clean role around the offense.
Jordan Hawkins impressed in 23.6 minutes per game, flashing shooting mechanics and gravity off the bench, posting 10.8 PPG He's a waiting weapon with upside, ideal for a development-heavy squad still chasing contention. No picks here, but the talent-to-fitting rate is high.
12. Orlando Magic
Potential Trade Details
Orlando Magic Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jalen Suggs, Jonathan Isaac, Tristan da Silva, 2032 second-round pick
The Orlando Magic acquired Desmond Bane in a huge package, but adding The King could take them over the top. The Lakers, meanwhile, wouldn't mind some fresh, young faces.
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Jalen Suggs, still only 24, averaged 16.2 PPG, 3.7 APG, 4.0 RPG on 31.4% 3PT. He's a high-motor guard who can break down defenses, guard multiple positions, and offer that raw energy swing-lineups need.
Jonathan Isaac, once lost to injuries, showed glimmers of his former two-way prowess this season. He averaged 5.4 PPG, 4.4 RPG, and swatted 1.1 blocks in just 15.4 MPG. If health holds, he's a floor-spacing, rim-protecting forward built for mid-to-long-term fit.
Tristan da Silva is a 24-year-old forward with size and shot development, watching quietly. The 2032 second-rounder is a small cost for unlocking long-term upside. This deal is about intriguing upside and future runway.
13. Atlanta Hawks
Potential Trade Details
Atlanta Hawks Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Jalen Johnson, Luke Kennard, Kobe Bufkin, 2029 first-round pick (ATL)
Jalen Johnson, only 23, averaged 18.9 PPG, 10.0 RPG, with flashes of defensive versatility in 35.7 minutes per game for the Atlanta Hawks. He's a high-effort glue piece who provides length and hustle, fitting Luka's need for gritty teammates.
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Luke Kennard delivered 8.9 PPG on 43.3% 3PT shooting, offering reliable floor spacing off the bench. He's an outside sniper tailor-made for catch-and-go opportunities next to elite playmaking.
Kobe Bufkin is a young guard with upside as a combo floor-handler, weakly used, but worth a look in training camp. The real kicker is a 2029 first-rounder, an asset that could flip or be used to move for a veteran on another swing.
14. Dallas Mavericks
Potential Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: LeBron James, Adou Thiero
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Caleb Martin, 2032 second-round pick (DAL)
LeBron James, alongside Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Cooper Flagg with the Mavericks, would be the biggest news in the NBA for the entire season, and we are ready for it. The package sent to the Lakers isn't the greatest, but it isn't the worst either. Especially when Luka gets to reunite with two teammates who helped him make the Finals in 2023-24.
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Klay Thompson declined, but didn't vanish, in Dallas, averaging 14.0 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.0 APG, with a respectable 39.1% from deep across 72 games. Still one of the most reliable off-ball shooters in NBA history, he instantly boosts LA's perimeter gravity, giving Luka even more lanes and opening up the floor for everyone else.
P.J. Washington brought 14.7 PPG, 7.8 RPG, and 2.3 APG, shooting 45.3% from the field and 38.1% from three. He's a Swiss-army PF, can stretch the floor, rebound hard, and pass out of double-teams. Daniel Gafford is a paint monster, posting 12.3 PPG on an ultra-efficient 70.2% FG with 6.8 RPG. He's the rim-runner and dunker who thrives in high-efficiency stints.
This trade gives L.A. a finals-tested sniper, a stretch-inline forward, a glass-crashing big, and a gritty role-plug (Martin), plus that future asset. It's a combo of immediate spacing, finishing, and toughness, built explicitly to complement a Luka-centric scheme. Out of all the deals, we definitely want this one to happen.
15. Philadelphia 76ers
Potential Trade Details
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Paul George, 2030 first-round pick
Paul George had a tough season with the 76ers, but he can still contribute when he is healthy and motivated. In 2024-25, he dropped 16.2 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 4.3 APG, with 35.8% from deep, clearly down numbers. However, if he can regain his All-Star form, he's the shutdown scorer who can guard positions 1-4 and create late-game shots, a high-class boost next to Luka.
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In the best world, George's isolation scoring and elite athleticism free Luka from double-teams. He's a proven co-star, able to initiate, cut, or shoot, exactly the kind of fit that screams championship retool. We predict that PG13 will feel happy to be back in Los Angeles and get back to his best.
You pay top-dollar with a first-round pick, but in return, you get a defined closer, two-way impact, and veteran leadership. It's the kind of deal where L.A. stops chasing youth and goes all-in on the now, with Luka and PG carving a big-name tandem.
16. Miami Heat
Potential Trade Details
Miami Heat Receive LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Nikola Jovic, 2030 first-round pick, 2032 second-round pick
The Miami Heat will certainly be interested in a reunion to form a Big Three with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. For the Lakers, the package is simple.
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Andrew Wiggins in 2024-25 averaged 18.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, and nailed 37.4% from deep. He's known for lockdown D, flexibility across matchups, and now hits triples with confidence. He'd easily slip into LA's rotational wings as a steady two-way piece.
Terry Rozier dropped 10.6 PPG, 2.6 APG, and shot 39.1% in a down season. However, he's a high-energy ball-handler who can change pace, break defenses off the dribble, and act as Luka's primary backup, a win for system balance.
Nikola Jovic is a 22-year-old Euro forward with scoring instincts and upside to develop after posting 10.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game last season. Add in first- and second-round draft capital, and you have versatility now with runway for later. It's a balanced haul with depth, buy-in, and optionality, not a pure gamble.
17. Brooklyn Nets
Potential Trade Details
Brooklyn Nets Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Michael Porter Jr., Terance Mann, 2031 first-round pick (BKN)
Michael Porter Jr. delivered a stellar 2024-25: 18.2 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, 50.4% FG, 39.5% 3PT, while averaging 33.7 MPG across 77 games. Even if he was just acquired by the Nets, he could be moved after the 90-day window. In a Luka-plus-stretcher setup, MPJ could torch mismatches and keep defenses honest.
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Terance Mann posted around 7.7 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and played with defensive tenacity. He'd bring championship-mindfulness from the Clippers days, a defense-first mindset, smart rotations, and secondary playmaking. He's the kind of role piece that can smooth rotations around stars without demanding shot volume.
This one is flashy: swap a former MVP (LeBron) for a younger scoring combo-plus-future pick. MPJ's efficiency paints a picture of a modern stretch-four; Mann adds grit, and that 2031 lottery asset adds optionality. It's a case of 'maybe too much, maybe just enough.'
18. Charlotte Hornets
Potential Trade Details
Charlotte Hornets Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Miles Bridges, Josh Green, Grant Williams, 2026 first-round pick (CHA), 2027 First-Round Pick (DAL)
Miles Bridges, back from adversity, looked re-energized in 2024-25 for the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 20.3 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, and showing flashes of two-way dominance before injury halted him mid-season. He's still just 27 and possesses explosive athleticism, drive, and bounce off the bounce, a perfect Luka complement if healthy.
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Josh Green's line of 7.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG showcases a developing two-way wing role. He's a glue guy-in-waiting, with defenders' potential and room to grow in confidence and shot-making.
Grant Williams brings 10.4 PPG on 36.5% 3PT and group defense chops. The addition of two first-rounders (2026 and 2027) is a draft-stock jackpot. Health risk with upside? Yes. Reward? A dynamic trio of athletic wing talent plus future capital could reshape the rotation long-term.
19. Oklahoma City Thunder
Potential Trade Details
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Isaiah Hartenstein, Luguentz Dort, Cason Wallace, 2029 first-round pick, 2031 first-round pick
Isaiah Hartenstein scored 11.2 PPG, 10.7 RPG, shooting .581 FG, adding paint presence and rim deterrence. He's a defensive anchor, a backbone in a league where bigs still matter, giving modern spacing balance next to Luka.
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Luguentz Dort anchored the Thunder's top-tier defense, averaging 10.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 41.2% 3PT, with All-Defensive First Team credentials. He's exactly the kind of gritty wing who defends and disrupts, giving heft to perimeter rotations.
Cason Wallace is a legit young stopper, averaging 8.4 PPG and 1.8 steals per game with a stout campaign. The two 1st-round picks ('29, '31) effectively throw icing on this defensively minded haul. If LA wants to lock in toughness, inside and out, this deal nails it.
20. Detroit Pistons
Potential Trade Details
Detroit Pistons Receive: LeBron James
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Tobias Harris, Isaiah Stewart, Ron Holland, 2027 First-Round Pick (DET), 2031 First-Round Pick (DET)
Tobias Harris averaged 13.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, shooting 47.7% FG and 34.5% from deep. His scoring is steady, his experience deepens the rotation, and he's a secondary creator who fits around Luka without disrupting flow.
Isaiah Stewart is a rebound-hungry defender, averaging 6.0 RPG, 5.5 PPG, 1.4 blocks over 19.9 minutes per game. He brings hustle, paint protection, and physicality, plus positional flexibility for a roster absent of centers besides Deandre Ayton.
Ron Holland, a 2024 first-rounder, flashed two-way upside overseas, long, athletic, and defensively switchable. Coupled with the Pistons' two draft picks, this package feels like a youth-plus-pick play, low-cost and reasonable.
Related: Shams Charania Says Lakers And LeBron James May Part Ways Within Two Months
This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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Mauricio and Soto lead Mets past Giants 5-3 for 7th straight win

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ronny Mauricio and Juan Soto homered in the seventh inning, and the New York Mets beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Sunday to match a season best with their seventh straight win. Mauricio had a career-high four hits, going 4 for 4 with two doubles and a tying homer from the bottom spot in the batting order. Jeff McNeil doubled twice to help the Mets complete a three-game sweep and extend their NL East lead to 1 1/2 games over Philadelphia. Matt Chapman homered twice and drove in all three runs for the Giants, who loaded the bases in the ninth on two walks and a hit batter. Edwin Díaz struck out Willy Adames and Chapman to end it. The Mets, who also had a seven-game winning streak in April, trailed 3-2 following Chapman's second homer, a two-run drive off starter Kodai Senga in the fifth. Mauricio tied it when the rookie drove a 1-0 slider from reliever Randy Rodriguez (3-2) into McCovey Cove leading off the seventh. After Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor struck out, Soto hit his team-leading 25th home run to left, giving the Mets a 4-3 lead. They added an insurance run in the ninth on consecutive doubles by Mauricio and Nimmo. José Buttó (3-1), the second of four Mets relievers, retired three batters for the win. Gregory Soto pitched a perfect seventh in his New York debut, and Díaz worked the ninth for his 23rd save. Senga walked five in five innings. He allowed three runs and four hits. Key moment Mauricio shut down a potential Giants rally when he fielded Adames' slow grounder in front of third base and then quickly reversed direction to tag out Heliot Ramos trying to advance from second. Key stat Rodriguez had allowed only one home run all season before the Mets got to him twice in one inning. Up next Mets RHP Frankie Montas (3-1, 4.62 ERA) faces the Padres in San Diego on Monday. Carson Whisenhunt, the Giants' top pitching prospect, will make his major league debut Monday against Pittsburgh. ___ AP MLB:

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