LeBron Wouldn’t Fetch As Much on the Trade Market As You Think

The prospect of James being traded has been "contemplated" in Los Angeles.

CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12:  LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Chicago Bulls on March 12, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 12: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Chicago Bulls on March 12, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Over the weekend, ESPN’s Jeff Van Gundy floated the idea the Los Angeles Lakers should consider trading LeBron James.

Seriously.

But, according to Ric Bucher of Bleacher Report, the former coach may not just have been flapping his gums when he mentioned LA could be considering dealing the King away to occupy a new throne.

In the front offices of the Lakers and other teams in the NBA, the prospect of James being traded has been “contemplated,” according to Bucher.

And the potential haul, or lack thereof, James would bring back has also been a topic of discussion. “I still think you could get a decent package for him from a bad team,” one Western Conference assistant GM said. “A first-round pick and a good young player. But it would’ve been a lot more a year ago, for sure.”

One Eastern Conference owner said his team probably wouldn’t be interested in trading for James at all. “At this point, probably not, given where we are,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to gut the team for a player that isn’t committed and is toward the end of his career.”

Whatever happens, the Lakers – who will not be playing in the postseason this year -will have to make some changes this offseason.

For James, it’s the first time since he’s failed to make the playoffs since 2005. This year will also mark the first time the NBA Finals will be played without him in nine years.

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