Proposed Trade Has Lakers Cut Ties With LeBron James for $151 Million Haul

LeBron James appeared to put the Los Angeles Lakers on notice ahead of NBA free agency with a cryptic statement released by power agent Rich Paul. This has prompted plenty of NBA rumors about the Lakers potentially exploring trades for James.

It is worth noting that James did opt in to the final year of his $101 million contract, so if the superstar really wanted to bolt Hollywood he could have done so. Yet, it is also fair to say that things appear a little rocky between James and the Lakers front office.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes floated a proposed trade that would pair James with San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama. The Lakers would get a package headlined by Keldon Johnson.

Additionally, Los Angeles lands Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Sochan and a 2027 first-round pick (via Atlanta Hawks) as part of the deal.

Let’s dive into whether this trade works for the Spurs or Lakers.

What Could the Lakers Get in a Blockbuster Trade for LeBron James?

The idea of the Lakers cutting ties with James without receiving a true superstar in return is going to be hard to swallow for LA fans. Hughes makes the argument for why Los Angeles should consider the deal, admitting that James would first need to push for a trade.

“This deal only goes down if James asks for it, and he’d need to specify the Spurs as his preferred landing spot given his no-trade clause,” Hughes wrote in a July 9, 2025, story titled, “Trade Idea to Pair LeBron James with NBA’s Next Generational Star.” “That’s a hefty hurdle to clear, but the return package might also be the best the Lakers can realistically hope for.

“For starters, it only adds $17.5 million in guaranteed money to the 2026-27 cap sheet in the form of Johnson’s expiring salary. Barnes’ $19 million comes off the books after this season, and Sochan will enter restricted free agency a year from now. If James’ lack of a new deal and Finney-Smith’s exit for a contract that only has two guaranteed years are any indication, the Lakers are dead set on maximizing their long-term flexibility.”

LeBron & Wemby Would Be Must-See TV for the Spurs

Johnson is far from a superstar but is a solid rotational guard on a reasonable four-year, $74 million deal with two seasons remaining. Barnes is heading into the expiring season of a three-year, $54 million contract .

Sochan may be the most intriguing piece in the deal as a 22-year-old with plenty of upside. It also helps that Sochan is still on a four-year, $23 million rookie deal.

For the Spurs, it could be worth the gamble that James is willing to play for a few more seasons and turn San Antonio into a contender alongside Wembanyama.

LeBron James’ Relationship With the Lakers Is Not in a Good Place: Insider

Time will tell how the Lakers handle James’ situation who can be a free agent in 2026. Lakers insider Jovan Buha reported that James’ relationship with the Los Angeles front office is not “in the best place right now.”

“I want to be careful with what I say about Bron’s relationship with the front office or the organization, but I don’t think it’s in the best place right now, to be completely honest,” Buha said in a July 7, YouTube episode, per HoopsHype. “As you know, there’s been no official statement about LeBron opting in. There typically is— especially for a player of that magnitude.

“And then he’s had his stuff on social media or whatever he’s posted, and there was obviously the statement when he opted in. So, I don’t think things are in the best place they’ve ever been. I’ll just say that. Make of that what you want.”