A striking idea has emerged among the NBA's offseason scenarios. According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Los Angeles Lakers are open to a sign-and-trade scenario that would send LeBron James back to the Cleveland Cavaliers via trade in order to add Jarrett Allen to their roster. Speaking on ESPN Cleveland radio, Windhorst said this idea is genuinely on the table on the Los Angeles side.
In Windhorst's words, the situation is this: "There is a thought process out there in Los Angeles, and if the Cavs were interested in this, the Lakers would sit up in attention right now. They would sign-and-trade LeBron for Jarrett Allen. I think if the Cavs were willing to do that, they could have LeBron." The ESPN analyst stressed the Lakers would make this deal "in a heartbeat" to get Allen. But there is a crucial condition here: for this scenario to happen, LeBron would have to want to sign with Cleveland. So this part rests entirely on the player's decision; this is not a completed or agreed trade, but an idea circulating in league circles.
At the root of the Lakers' pursuit is the need to find a center who fits next to Luka Dončić. Since adding Dončić in February 2025, the team has been looking for a rim-running big who can play pick-and-roll with him. The 28-year-old Allen fits that profile as an All-Star-level center; last season he averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds in 56 games for Cleveland. Allen has three more years left on his contract.
On the LeBron side, the picture is uncertain. The 41-year-old star is still performing at a high level after 23 seasons; last season he produced 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game and carried the team while Dončić and Reaves were injured. A return to Cleveland would mean a homecoming for James both to his home state of Ohio and to the club where he won the 2016 title. Still, as Windhorst stressed, this scenario coming to life rests entirely on LeBron's choice. After locking up Austin Reaves on a $185 million maximum deal, the Lakers are keeping this idea on the table as they look to build around Dončić and Reaves.
Source: Yahoo Sports
Image: Yahoo Sports
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