The Los Angeles Lakers have already committed to Luka Doncic as the centerpiece of their future, and one proposed blockbuster sign-and-trade would accelerate that transition while sending LeBron James back to where his NBA journey began.
Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus recently proposed a massive three-team deal involving the Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans that would completely reshape all three franchises.
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: LeBron James, Bronny James, Deandre Ayton, $14.8 million trade exception, $9.5 million trade exception, $6.6 million trade exception
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Trey Murphy III, Micah Peavy, Jarrett Allen, Dean Wade, $6 million trade exception (Jake LaRavia)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: Dennis Schroder, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, 2030 Los Angeles Lakers first-round pick swap, 2031 Los Angeles Lakers unprotected first-round pick, 2033 Los Angeles Lakers first-round pick, $6.2 million trade exception, $2.2 million trade exception
It is certainly one of the biggest trade concepts of the offseason, and every team walks away with a clear objective.
The Lakers finished 53-29 and secured the fourth seed in the Western Conference despite dealing with injuries throughout the season. While many expected them to lose in the opening round after Luka Doncic was ruled out for the playoffs and Austin Reaves missed much of the first-round series, LeBron James carried the team past the Houston Rockets almost single-handedly.
Their postseason ended quickly in the second round, however, as the Oklahoma City Thunder swept them and exposed the gap between Los Angeles and the league’s true championship contenders.
Now, the Lakers have already locked up Austin Reaves on a four-year, $185 million extension while LeBron’s future remains uncertain. The four-time NBA champion has yet to meet with the Lakers and has been linked with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors in free agency.
The Cavaliers finished 52-30, earned the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference and advanced all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals before being swept by the New York Knicks. While reaching the conference finals represented progress, the organization still appears to be searching for another move capable of pushing it over the top.
The Pelicans enter the offseason heading in a very different direction after finishing 26-56 and ending up 11th in the Western Conference. Injuries once again derailed what was expected to be a competitive season, forcing the front office to rethink its long-term plans.
The King Returns Home For A Final Run
A reunion with LeBron would instantly become one of the biggest stories in NBA history. Even at 41 years old, James continues to produce at an elite level. Last season he averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists while shooting 51.5% from the field. More importantly, his playoff performance reminded everyone that he remains capable of taking over games when the stakes are highest.
This deal would have to be completed as a sign-and-trade since James is currently a free agent. Cleveland would likely need him to accept a lower starting salary in order to make the finances work under the league’s apron restrictions.
The Cavaliers would also receive Bronny James, allowing father and son to continue playing together. Bronny averaged 2.9 points and 1.2 assists while shooting 40.9% from the field and 38.6% from three. He is entering the third year of his rookie contract and is owed just $2.2 million next season, with a team option worth $2.4 million for 2027-28.
Deandre Ayton also heads to Cleveland in the proposal. Ayton enjoyed an encouraging stretch after arriving in Los Angeles, averaging 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds while shooting an outstanding 67.1% from the field. Although he is expected to exercise his $8 million player option, multiple reports have suggested the Lakers are still evaluating long-term alternatives at center.
For Cleveland, Ayton would soften the loss of Jarrett Allen while providing another starting-caliber center alongside Evan Mobley. The Cavaliers also receive three sizeable trade exceptions, giving the front office additional flexibility to continue reshaping the roster after the deal.
Perhaps the biggest attraction, though, is the possibility of building one final championship run around LeBron James.
A projected core featuring James, Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley would immediately become one of the Eastern Conference’s most talented groups. Cleveland would still have flexibility to fill out the rest of the roster using its remaining assets and newly created trade exceptions.
For a franchise trying to capitalize on its championship window, bringing home the greatest player in Cavaliers history while keeping another superstar core intact is certainly an intriguing proposition.
The Lakers Would Accept This Deal In A Heartbeat
From the Lakers’ perspective, this proposal is all about maximizing Luka Doncic’s championship window. Since acquiring Doncic, the organization has made it clear that surrounding him with the right supporting cast is now the top priority. Reports throughout the offseason have consistently linked Los Angeles with an “A-list” center after Doncic reportedly emphasized the need for an elite pick-and-roll partner.
Jarrett Allen checks every box. Allen averaged 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting an outstanding 63.8% from the field last season. He remains one of the NBA’s best rim runners, finishers and interior defenders, exactly the type of center who has traditionally thrived alongside Doncic.
He is also under team control on a three-year, $90.7 million contract, earning $28 million next season, $30.2 million in 2027-28 and $32.4 million in 2028-29. For a Lakers front office searching for long-term stability at center, Allen represents arguably their ideal target.
The Lakers would not stop there. Trey Murphy III has quietly developed into one of the NBA’s premier young wings. Last season he averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 47.0% from the field and 37.9% from three-point range.
At only 26 years old, Murphy fits perfectly alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. His ability to defend multiple positions, attack closeouts, and knock down perimeter shots would solve several weaknesses that plagued the Lakers throughout last season.
Murphy is also signed to one of the better long-term contracts among rising stars. He will make approximately $27 million next season, $29 million in 2027-28 and $31 million in 2028-29 as part of his four-year, $112 million extension.
Dean Wade would strengthen the frontcourt depth as another versatile defender capable of guarding multiple positions while stretching the floor. Wade averaged 5.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 43.9% from the field and 36.2% from beyond the arc. Los Angeles has reportedly shown interest in Wade previously, making him another logical addition in this proposal.
The Lakers would also receive rookie wing Micah Peavy, who averaged 4.3 points and 1.9 rebounds during his first professional season. Peavy remains an inexpensive developmental piece on a four-year rookie contract, providing additional depth without creating salary cap concerns.
While losing LeBron James would obviously mark the end of one of the greatest eras in franchise history, this package significantly improves the overall roster around Doncic. A starting lineup featuring Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Trey Murphy III, and Jarrett Allen would immediately become one of the deepest and most balanced groups in the Western Conference.
The Pelicans Add Valuable Draft Capital And Veterans
The Pelicans also receive significant value for parting with Murphy. New Orleans continues adding future draft capital while maintaining financial flexibility. The Lakers would surrender a 2030 first-round swap, an unprotected 2031 first-round pick and another first-round pick in 2033.
On top of that, the Pelicans receive several rotation players. Dennis Schroder averaged 10.8 points, 2.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the Kings and Cavaliers last season, shooting 40.5% from the field and 32.9% from three-point range while providing veteran stability at point guard. He is on a three-year, $44.4 million deal and will make $14.8 million next season and $15.5 million in 2027-28.
Jarred Vanderbilt averaged 4.4 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 47.1% from the field for the Lakers. He is on a four-year, $48 million extension, where he will make $12.4 million next season and has a $13.2 million player option in 2027-28. Jake LaRavia averaged 8.2 points and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 45.9% from the field and 32.1% from three-point range. He is in the final year of his two-year, $12 million contract and will make $6 million next season.
Dalton Knecht averaged only 4.2 points in his second NBA season after averaging 9.1 points as a rookie, but his shooting ability and affordable rookie contract still make him an attractive developmental piece. He is entering the third year of his four-year, $18.4 million rookie contract and will earn just $4.2 million next season, with the Lakers holding a valuable $6.4 million team option for the following year.
This Trade Could Change Fates Of Every Franchise Involved
Ultimately, this proposal asks every franchise to sacrifice something valuable. Cleveland parts with Jarrett Allen to reunite with LeBron James for one final championship push. New Orleans gives up one of its brightest young stars in Trey Murphy III for premium draft assets and multiple rotation players. The Lakers move on from arguably the greatest player in franchise history but receive four players who better align with Luka Doncic’s long-term timeline.
Whether such a blockbuster ever materializes remains highly unlikely given the sheer number of moving pieces involved. Still, as a basketball concept, it addresses each team’s biggest priorities.
Cleveland gets its hometown legend back, New Orleans stockpiles valuable future assets, and Los Angeles surrounds Luka Doncic with the type of athletic, defensive, and versatile supporting cast it has spent the entire offseason trying to build.
