I'm a Pistons fan and I'm always looking for trade ideas for my team but I recently had a thought. What if the Pistons help facilitate Lebron going home?
Trade proposal...
Lakers Receive - Jaden Ivey, Jarrett Allen, Caris Lavert, Quinten Grimes, Pistons 2024 Draft Pick (#5), Pistons 2028 pick swap
Pistons Receive - Darius Garland
Cavs Receive - Lebron James, Cam Reddish, Lakers 2024 NBA draft pick (#17)
WHY LAKERS
Though Lebron is one of the greatest players of all time, we all know that his clock is ticking. If he plays 2 more years, do you foresee a championship? The rumors are also that he would love to make history and play with his son on the same team. The Lakers have a ton of needs for a "championship-or-bust" franchise and an unsure future. Using pick #17 to appease Lebron by drafting his son, who probably wouldn't even be drafted if he wasn't Lebron's son, rather than moving forward with Austin Reaves and Anthony Davis (unless you trade him too and load up for the future) would be a mistake in my opinion.
As is though, having a top 5 lottery pick to add to those two as well as Jaden Ivey (#5 pick two years ago), Jarrett Allen (only 26 and downright scary paired with A.D. defensively), Caris LaVert (bonafide veteran scorer), and Quinten Grimes (project) makes sense to me.
WHY CAVS
The Cavs have zero picks in the next 6 years and limited cap space as well as contract negotiations coming up soon with Evan Mobley. This team as is can't really overpower teams like the Celtics and the Knicks. One problem that they have is the chemistry between Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Those two players are too similar. However, we have seen how Lebron can thrive when he is playing with a point guard with elite skill such as Spydah and a versatile big like Even Mobley. In fact, ironically I personally comped Mitchell to DWade and Mobley to Chris Bosh when they were coming out of college lol. That's neither here or there though, if any team would be willing to trade for Lebron, especially for a finale to his career, I feel like the Cavs would be willing.
I also feel like they'd be willing to add Bronny to the roster whether they pick him at #20 or they ask teams not to draft him at all so he can sign as a UFA. From there I think they could pursue KCP and James Wiseman in free agency and make other small moves to fill out the roster, maybe even bringing back Okoro. The Cavs have already traded their future away for years to come as Utah either owns or has the right to swap up until the year 2030. Why not build a better team to compete with by trading for Lebron again?
WHY PISTONS
Simply put, the Pistons are already supremely young. Jaden Ivey's fit next to Cade Cunningham has been a mystery but for sure, everything that they need Ivey to become offensively to compliment Cade, Darius Garland already is. Garland has one of the best handles in the league. Ivey needs a little work. Garland is a 3-level scorer. Ivey has shown flashes of potential. Garland can get his own shot anywhere on the floor. Ivey has shown flashes of potential. Garland is a dangerous 3 point shooter. Ivey again needs development in that area. Garland is a fiery competitor. Ivey has shown that he is as well but seems to shrink when Cade is on the floor.
I believe in Jaden Ivey, but I'm not sure that the Pistons can wait on him. The same goes for whoever the #5 pick will be this year. Can the Pistons afford to wait? I personally look at a potential starting lineup of Garland, Cunningham, Simon Fontechio, Ausar Thompson, Duren (Monty Williams would definitely do this) and I drool. I drool even more at the fact that the Pistons would steal have over 40 million in free agency money when they decline Evan Fournier's team-option. This means that they could then throw a bag at Miles Bridges (Thompson come off of the bench), Paul George (?), or pursue guys like Malik Monk, Klay Thompson, Patrick Williams, etc.