Proposed 4-Team NBA Trade Has Lakers Land $197 Million Star for LeBron James

The Los Angeles Lakers offseason has been dominated by chatter about LeBron James’future. It is worth noting that James has a no-trade clause that would allow him to veto any potential deal.

James’ agent Rich Paul attempted to squash the notion that James would sign off on a trade, but the Lakers rumors are not slowing down. If James were to agree to a trade, a return home to the Cleveland Cavaliers could make some sense given the strength of the team’s roster.

Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz floated a wild four-team trade proposal involving the Lakers, Cavs, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of this blockbuster trade pitch for James.

Lakers Rumors: NBA Trade Pitch Sends LeBron James to the Cavaliers for Darius Garland

The Lakers land Cavaliers star guard Darius Garland and wing Max Strus in the proposed deal. Cleveland reunites with James, his son Bronny James and nets a 2027 first-round pick (top-two protected from Dallas Mavericks via the Charlotte Hornets).

Charlotte acquires center Jarrett Allen in the deal, while Brooklyn lands Grant Williams, Dean Wade and a 2027 first rounder (lottery protected from the Miami Heat, via Hornets). The deal would pair Luka Doncic with a new co-star in Garland while returning James to the team that drafted him more than 20 years ago.

“Swapping Allen out allows the Cavs to keep De’Andre Hunter and pick up a future first-round pick they can use to add young talent or flip in a future trade,” Swartz explained during a July 23, 2025 story titled, “3 Trade Packages To Bring LeBron James Home to Cleveland Cavaliers.” “The Cavaliers would then have $7.6 million left to sign three players.

“The Lakers still get Garland and Strus, but not Hunter. Due to this, they no longer send out a future first-round pick to the Nets, keeping their last remaining selection (2031 or 2032) intact.”

The Lakers would take on more future salary by acquiring Garland’s five-year, $197 million contract that is slated to go through the 2027-28 season.

LeBron James Is Likely Heading Into His Final Season With the Lakers: Insider

James opted into the final season of his $101 million contract with the Lakers. There continues to be informed speculation that this will be James’ final season with the Lakers, and the star will finish his career in another uniform.

“I believe that the 2025-26 season, purely speaking in a predictive voice, will not be LeBron’s last,” NBA insider Marc Stein detailed in a July 26, story titled, “What’s next for LeBron James.” “I repeat: This is something only he can really know and more of a gut-feel read from me rather than reporting, but I fall into the camp that expects him to announce to the world that a certain season will be his last before it starts.

“The reality is that training camps don’t open leaguewide for two full months from now, so some patience must be applied to have a clearer picture, but to this point there has been no indication that James has begun thinking in one-more-year terms. Not yet anyway.”

Things could clearly change if James and Doncic are able to lead the Lakers in making an iconic run this season. For now, the signs are pointing to James exiting after the season, and it will be interesting to see if the Lakers push for a trade.