Proposed Trade Sends Lakers a $197 Million Superstar as LeBron’s Replacement

The Los Angeles Lakers are likely done with making major moves around Luka Doncic and LeBron James during the NBA offseason. This is not stopping plenty of speculation about wild moves the Lakers could make to bolster the team’s championship aspirations.

Through his agent Rich Paul, James has made it clear that he want to compete for a championship this upcoming season. The question is whether the current Lakers roster give James and Doncic a realistic chance to chase the NBA’s elite in 2025-26.

Lakers insider Jovan Buha was recently asked about a wild fan trade proposal that has the Lakers landing New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson. The timeline would be a move more in the future with Williamson as a potential replacement once James moves on.

The proposal has the Lakers sending Rui Hachimura, Maxi Kleber, Gabe Vincent and a 2031 first-round pick to the Pelicans in exchange for Williamson. It remains to be seen why the Pelicans would be motivated to do this deal, unless the front office wants to move on from Williamson’s five-year, $197 million contract.

Let’s dive into whether the Lakers could make a surprise run at Williamson.

Wild Lakers Trade Pitch Pairs Luka Doncic With Zion Williamson

On a surface level, it feels like New Orleans would be pushing for Austin Reaves in any deal involving Williamson. Logistically, the outlined trade would need adjusted or a third team could be added for the proposed deal to work within the salary cap constraints. Buha weighed in on Williamson’s questionable fit alongside Doncic, highlighting defensive concerns.

“I don’t think you’re crazy,” Buha explained during a July 7, YouTube episode. “I will say Zion, Luka, and A.R. (Reaves) and Ayton and whoever … I see some major concerns defensively.

“And I think if you traded for Zion, that probably means you need to move on from Austin, honestly. Because Zion and Luka, for as skilled and gifted and talented and dynamic and just the production between those two, like there are some real defensive concerns,” Buha added.

“… Offensively, it would be incredible. (A) Luka-Zion pick and roll probably (would be the) best pick and roll in the NBA. I just, I don’t know. It could be worth the swing, I guess, especially if you’re thinking more like future term, but (the concerns with Williamson are) the health, some of the decision making off the court that he’s had and the defensive limitations.”

The Pelicans Have Doubled Down on Not Trading Zion Williamson

Williamson’s $197 million deal is slated to go through the 2027-28 NBA season. It is not as if the Pelicans would be able to make a major addition just by moving off of Williamson’s deal.

New Orleans would likely be pushing for a package of picks and/or young players to cut ties with the star. This perspective would change if some of Williamson’s current legal woes prove to be problematic, but this would likely make the big man unappealing to the Lakers as well.

Throughout the NBA offseason, Pelicans vice president Joe Dumars has doubled down on the team’s commitment to Williamson.

“We’ve had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff games together,” Dumars told The Times-Picayune, per HoopsHype. “We’ve done it all. I’ve had some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and honest conversations.

“We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’s going to continue to be a focal point here as we go forward.”

If this is indeed the beginning of the end for James in Hollywood, Williamson would add some excitement alongside Doncic. The challenge is Williamson’s potential seems to be far greater than his production through his first six NBA seasons.