{"id":734593,"date":"2026-05-15T00:51:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T00:51:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/734593\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T00:51:14","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T00:51:14","slug":"lakers-predicted-to-cut-ties-with-lebron-james-acquire-91-million-cavaliers-all-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/734593\/","title":{"rendered":"Lakers predicted to cut ties with LeBron James, acquire $91 million Cavaliers All-Star"},"content":{"rendered":"

Lakers predicted to cut ties with LeBron James, acquire $91 million Cavaliers All-Star<\/a> originally appeared on The Sporting News<\/a>. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

LeBron James<\/a> is the center of attention in mid-May for the second consecutive season.<\/p>\n

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After the Los Angeles Lakers<\/a>\u2019 season-ending loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> last year, there was speculation that James would either retire or leave Los Angeles<\/a> for a new NBA opportunity.<\/p>\n

James ultimately elected to pick up his $52.6 million player option and remain with the Lakers for another season. After getting eliminated by the Oklahoma City Thunder<\/a> in the second round of the postseason, though, James has found himself back in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

ESPN\u2019s Kendrick Perkins<\/a> recently floated the idea of the Lakers cutting ties with James via sign-and-trade in favor of a Cleveland Cavaliers<\/a> All-Star center (2022).<\/p>\n

\u201cI guarantee you, (LeBron James) will take Jarrett Allen<\/a>\u2019s money,\u201d Perkins said on \u2018Get Up\u2019 Tuesday.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure that Luka<\/a> (Doncic) would love a lob threat like Jarett Allen, you know, if the Lakers don\u2019t want LeBron James, and you\u2019re looking for a big because Deandre Ayton<\/a> shouldn\u2019t be back, right, with what he displayed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if you can sign and trade, and you can do LeBron for Jarett Allen, Cleveland is doing it in, and the Lakers are doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Perkins\u2019 sign-and-trade scenario would be the best case for James and the Lakers. For James, it would be a golden opportunity to return to the franchise that helped shape his NBA career.<\/p>\n

The Cavaliers drafted James in 2003, and in addition to earning a ridiculous number of accolades with Cleveland, the four-time NBA Finals MVP guided the organization to its first-ever championship in 2026. A storybook reunion is arguably the best way for James to end his awe-inspiring career.<\/p>\n

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For the Lakers, it would provide them with a high-energy center who can rim-run at a high level, explode for above-the-rim finishes in pick-and-roll situations, and serve as an underrated rim protector.<\/p>\n

Allen is currently averaging 13.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game with a Cavaliers squad that possesses a 3-2 lead over the Detroit Pistons<\/a> in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.\u00a0
If Los Angeles is keen on moving on from Ayton after a disappointing season, Allen should be viewed as an adequate replacement.<\/p>\n

Simply put, a James-Allen swap would benefit all parties involved this summer.<\/p>\n

More NBA news:<\/p>\n

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