When you are a superstar like LeBron James, you are afforded a level of power within a franchise that few other players can match. Recent reports have highlighted stars such as Kevin Durant and James Harden being asked about their head coach’s future, but when it comes to roster construction, LeBron has long been making an impact.
This has been apparent since his second stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where trades were made almost every deadline to bolster his supporting cast in a bid to compete against the Golden State Warriors. Even more recently, we saw one of his best friends, Tristan Thompson, sign with the Los Angeles Lakers just before the playoffs began despite not having played in the NBA all year.
There’s no denying that James has a significant say in front office affairs in LA, and with his recent comments hinting at retirement, the pressure is on for the Lakers to improve their roster. Although Thompson would be a welcome addition, it’s going to take more than one signing to convince LeBron to stay in purple and gold beyond this season. However, there are a few potential trade scenarios, and one of them stands out, according to Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey. It involves a certain veteran point guard, also known as the ‘Point God.’
Of course, we’re talking about Chris Paul, the sole remaining member of the infamous ‘Banana Boat’ crew that LeBron is yet to team up with. While he won two championship titles with Dwyane Wade in Miami and welcomed Carmelo Anthony to the Lakers for the 2021-2022 season, this could be the year that the two greats finally join forces. With LeBron closing in on 40, creating his own shots is becoming increasingly difficult. Teaming up with CP3 may help alleviate this burden, even if only in the short term. While Paul is no spring chicken, he’s still playing at a high level, and the two would likely complement each other well on the court.
D’Angelo Russell is another player whose future in the league is uncertain, with his disappointing playoff performance casting doubt on his role with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Bailey believes that a move to Phoenix could be in the cards for Russell, paving the way for the CP3 trade. The latter was nearly a Laker over a decade ago, so perhaps things will come full circle this year.
When you’re as elite as LeBron James, you wield a certain type of power within an organization that very few possess. It’s something that we hear more about these days, especially when it comes to star players like Kevin Durant and James Harden being given a say in their coach’s fate. While we know that LeBron has had a hand in roster turnover on previous teams, it’s becoming clear that his influence in the Lakers’ front office also runs deep.
As rumors of his potential retirement begin to swirl, it’s more important than ever for the Lakers to improve their roster. And while it would be great to see Tristan Thompson back in LA, it will take more than that to convince LeBron to stick around beyond this season. As such, Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey has laid out a number of trade scenarios, with one in particular standing out. Could this finally be the year that LeBron and Chris Paul team up?
CP3 has long been the lone member of the ‘Banana Boat’ crew that LeBron has yet to play with, having already won titles with Dwyane Wade in Miami and welcomed Carmelo Anthony to the Lakers for the 2021-2022 season. However, the two future Hall of Famers could join forces this year. With LeBron creeping closer to 40, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for him to create his own shots. Teaming up with Paul would help to alleviate the burden, even if only in the short term.
Of course, Paul isn’t the only player who could be switching teams this offseason. D’Angelo Russell’s future with the Minnesota Timberwolves is up in the air following a disappointing playoff performance. Bailey has suggested that a move to Phoenix could be on the cards, particularly if it helps to facilitate the CP3 trade. Russell would be a great fit for the Suns’ lineup, even if he’s not quite the star that Paul is.
LeBron James is a superstar in every sense of the word, and when you’re as dominant as he is, you’re given a certain level of power within an organization. This is certainly the case in Los Angeles, where LeBron’s influence on roster construction and front office decisions is becoming increasingly apparent. As he edges closer to 40, the pressure is on for the Lakers to improve their squad in a bid to keep him around beyond this season.
One trade scenario that could well come to fruition involves LeBron finally playing alongside his friend and fellow future Hall of Famer, Chris Paul. While Paul is no spring chicken himself, the two could complement each other well on the court, with LeBron taking on a reduced role in creating his own shots. This trade could also pave the way for D’Angelo Russell to join the Phoenix Suns, offering the promising young guard a fresh start, while giving the Suns an added boost in the backcourt.
When you’re as important as LeBron James, the power dynamic within a franchise shifts. He’s played a key role in roster construction on previous teams, and his influence on the Lakers’ front office is becoming increasingly clear. As rumors of retirement continue to swirl, the pressure is on for the Lakers to step up and keep their superstar happy. While signing Tristan Thompson was a decent move, it’s not enough to convince LeBron to stay beyond this season. Could a trade for Chris Paul be the key to keeping the King in Los Angeles for another season?
Chris Paul is the last remaining member of the ‘Banana Boat’ crew that LeBron is yet to team up with, but that could be about to change. With LeBron closing in on 40, creating his own shots is becoming increasingly difficult. Teaming up with Paul would help to share the burden, even if only in the short term. This could also open the door for D’Angelo Russell to join the Phoenix Suns. While he may not be as big a name as CP3, Russell could thrive in Phoenix and give the Suns an added boost in the backcourt.
LeBron James is one of the most elite players in NBA history and he knows it. This is why he yields a level of power within the game that we rarely see. From roster construction to front office decisions, his influence is clear in Los Angeles. With retirement rumors swirling, there’s no doubt that the Lakers need to step up their game if they want to retain their superstar. While signing Tristan Thompson is a step in the right direction, they’ll need to get creative to keep LeBron in purple and gold beyond this season.
Could a trade for Chris Paul be the answer? Paul is the last member of the ‘Banana Boat’ crew that LeBron has yet to play with, making it an intriguing prospect. With LeBron’s scoring abilities becoming more limited as he approaches his 40s, teaming up with CP3 would be a smart move, at least in the short term. And who knows? The move could even pave the way for D’Angelo Russell to join the Phoenix Suns.
LeBron James is a force to be reckoned with in the NBA, both on and off the court. He’s long been known for his influence in roster decisions, but his sway in the Lakers’ front office is becoming impossible to ignore. With rumors of retirement swirling, the pressure is on for the Lakers to improve their roster. While they’ve already made a few decent moves, such as signing Tristan Thompson, they’ll need something more significant to keep LeBron around beyond this season
Could a trade for Chris Paul be the solution? Paul is the last member of the ‘Banana Boat’ crew that LeBron has yet to team up with, and with LeBron’s scoring abilities on the decline, it could be the perfect opportunity to join forces. The move could even open the door for D’Angelo Russell to join the Suns, giving them an added boost in the backcourt. With LeBron’s future up in the air, it’s clear that the Lakers need to act fast if they want to remain a contender.
When you’re a superstar like LeBron James, you command a certain level of respect within an organization. This is evident in his influence on roster construction and front office decisions, which is becoming increasingly apparent in LA. With rumors of retirement swirling, it’s more important than ever for the Lakers to step up their game. While signing Tristan Thompson was a good move, it’ll take something more significant to convince LeBron to stick around beyond this season.
Could a trade for Chris Paul be the answer? Paul is the last remaining member of the ‘Banana Boat’ crew that LeBron has yet to play with, and with his scoring abilities on the wane, joining forces could be a smart move. This would also open up the opportunity for D’Angelo Russell to make the move to Phoenix, giving the Suns an added boost in the backcourt.
