New three-team trade proposal sends LeBron James and Bronny James to East, Lakers land former No. 1 pick and $21,481,481 big

NBA: Los Angeles Lakers at Philadelphia 76ers - Source: Imagn
NBA: LA Lakers at Philadelphia 76ers (image credit: IMAGN)

Training camp for the 2025-26 season is less than a month away, but questions still remain about LeBron James’ future. He exercised his $52.6 million player option on July 1, which gave LA Lakers fans hope that he might agree to a contract extension.

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It has been more than six weeks since that decision, but James hasn’t signed a new deal. While conversations around the league shifted to whether the upcoming season could be his last, reports suggested that he may be open to joining a new team to maximize his chances of winning another championship.

One trade scenario could provide him with that opportunity while still offering value to LA. It is widely believed that LeBron wants to spend the final years of his career playing alongside his son, Bronny. This proposal packages the two together.

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A Reddit user shared a hypothetical three-team deal that sends LeBron, Bronny and Maxi Kleber to the Miami Heat. The Lakers would acquire former No. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins and Pelle Larson from the Heat, as well as Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls.

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Chicago would receive Terry Rozier, along with a 2026 first-round pick from Miami, for Vucevic, who is set to earn $21,481,481 next season.

The Reddit user also gave a brief explanation of the reasoning behind the trade:

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“Why the Lakers do this: To get a starting-caliber 3 and D wing, a 3 and D backup sg, and a backup center who can play in the playoffs," the user wrote.
"Why the Heat do this: To win now with LeBron back on their team, and get a 3 and D guard, and a backup big who can space the floor next to Bam.
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"Why the Bulls do this: To get a first for Vucevic.”
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LeBron spent four seasons with the Miami Heat from 2010 to 2014, winning two titles. The idea of returning to South Florida could be appealing to him.

A return to Miami would give him the chance to join forces with Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Norman Powell, potentially making the Heat the favorites to emerge out of the Eastern Conference.

Luka Doncic reportedly urges Lakers to retain LeBron James

The LA Lakers haven’t been able to convince LeBron James to re-sign, but they’ve been busy making moves to strengthen their roster. Along with adding Marcus Smart and Deandre Ayton, the team secured Luka Doncic to a three-year $165 million extension.

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Doncic reportedly asked Lakers GM Rob Pelinka to make sure James isn’t traded.

"For his part, league sources also indicated Doncic did not want James traded," ClutchPoints' Anthony Irwin wrote on Wednesday.

The 2024-25 season was James' 22nd in the NBA, and his seventh with the Lakers. Despite being 40 years old, he averaged 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 8.2 assists.

Chicago Bulls Fan? Check out the latest Chicago Bulls depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

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Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez
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