Lakers Trade Pitch Lands LeBron James’ $86 Million Rival

The Los Angeles Lakers appear to have solidified the core of the team’s roster ahead of the 2025-26 season as NBA free agency has come to a screeching halt. If the Lakers want to make any more significant moves, the front office may need to explore a possible trade.

During a recent podcast, Lakers insider Jovan Buha answered questions about a potential trade for one of LeBron James’ nemesis. Could the Lakers do the unthinkable by making James and Dillon Brooks teammates?

Buha is not convinced this would be a good deal for the Lakers. If Los Angeles did pursue Brooks, it would likely be some package of Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber and Gabe Vincent, per the insider.

The Phoenix Suns just acquired Brooks as part of the mega-deal that sent Kevin Durant to the Houston Rockets.

Let’s dive into Brooks’ potential fit with the Lakers.

Could the Lakers Pair LeBron James With Rival Dillon Brooks?

Given Brooks was one of the pieces Phoenix landed in exchange for Durant, the pesky defender is unlikely to be on the move once again. Brooks’ four-year, $86 million contract is slated to run through the 2026-27 season.

“I think Phoenix wants to keep him,” Buha explained during a July 7, 2025, YouTube episode. “I think Phoenix is trying to be competitive because they don’t have their picks. So there’s really no point for them to tank. So, I think from a Lakers perspective, I think he’s making like $21-ish or 20-21 (Brooks has a $21.1 million salary for 2025-26). I don’t think you’re just getting him for like Maxi and Gabe. I think you probably have to give up Rui.

“And I don’t know if I’d want to do that, to be honest. I think it’s similar to (Andrew) Wiggins in that he’s probably a better fit than Rui for what they need with his perimeter defense. I’m also partly the wrong guy to ask because I’m not a big Dillon Brooks guy,” Buha added.

“… I just don’t think Dillon Brooks or Marcus Smart deserve the leeway that they’ve had at times in Memphis or Houston or wherever. So, I think it’s probably Rui plus something for Brooks, but I don’t think the Lakers would want to do that.”

Dillon Brooks on Trash Talking LeBron James: ‘I Poke Bears’

Brooks’ battles with James peaked during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies. The veteran went viral for the “I poke bears” sound bite when asked if he regretted talking trash to the Lakers legend.

“I don’t care — he’s old,” Brooks said in April 2023, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “You know what I mean? I was waiting for that. I was expecting him to do that Game 4, Game 5. He wanted to say something when I got my fourth foul. He should have been saying that earlier on. But I poke bears. I don’t respect no one until they come and give me 40.”

LeBron James on Dillon Brooks’ $86 Million Deal: ‘He Was Worthy of the Contract He Got’

After Brooks landed his massive contract, it may surprise some fans to learn that James was complementary of the forward as a player. James dismissed the idea that Brooks’ rivalry with himself helped boost his value.

“I think every player that is awarded with a contract is awarded for a reason, and they’re worthy of the contract that they get,” James noted in November 2023, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.

“So I think in his case, he was worthy of the contract he got. He’s put in the work since he came out of Oregon, and that’s what Houston found value in and he’s here. So no, I think it has nothing to do with that.”