Stephen A. Smith has a proposal for the Los Angeles Lakers for this offseason: Trade LeBron James.
Smith said Wednesday on First Take that the Lakers “as presently constructed are going nowhere.” For that reason, he believes that the Lakers should trade LeBron, which he noted does not have a no-trade clause.
“I think the Los Angeles Lakers should strongly consider trading LeBron James. It’s what I believe. Now, a lot of people are going to lose their minds because the brother is 37, in his 19th year and he just averaged 30 and all this other stuff. If the team was better, he’d have been the league MVP candidate without question.
This is not throwing a speck of shade at LeBron James in case he’s watching, which he’ll try to deny it but he’s watching. OK, I’m telling you right now, it’s no shade at all. It’s a testament to his greatness and it’s a compliment to him.”
The best part of his proposal was the reaction of JJ Redick.
James is under contract for one more season.
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The 37-year-old has stated he might return to the Cleveland Cavaliers one day and wants to play with his son, Bronny, before he retires. There has never been any indication that he would finish his career with the Lakers.
The way the Lakers are currently constructed won’t get the team very far. Anthony Davis missed 42 games in 2021-22, as it continued a long history of him being injured in his career. When he did play, many felt like he wasn’t giving it his all, especially after winning his first ring.
James, meanwhile, averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists but was absent for 26 games. Father time seems to be creeping on him as far as his health. He has missed 84 games since signing with the Lakers.
Russell Westbrook never fit with the team and is expected to be off the roster by next season.
