Amid "Trade LeBron James" Noise, Former Rival Proposes Massive 6th Man Suggestion for Lakers Star

Boston Celtics legends Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed the “Trade LeBron James” noise on Friday. In the “KG Certified” podcast hosted by the Hall of Famers, they agreed that the four-time MVP remains a crucial part of the Lakers. While Garnett sees James thriving as a central figure, Pierce wants the Lakers to give his former rival a significantly different role.

Pierce explains how James could help the Lakers without disrupting the team’s elite form and rhythm:

“For this to work when LeBron [James] comes back, LeBron gotta come off the bench. … It’s about the chemistry. He can still give you the same production, but off the bench. It will work because his game and Luka's game don’t work together.”

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Paul Pierce gave the first-round playoff series between the No. 3 LA Lakers and the No. 6-ranked Minnesota Timberwolves as an example. With LeBron James and Luka Doncic doing a your-turn-my-turn number, the Lakers lost in five games. According to Pierce, James would thrive when Doncic, a ball-dominant guard, is off the floor.

With Doncic dictating everything this season, the Lakers are off to a 7-2 start. He is averaging 40.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Austin Reaves, elevated as the No. 2 option, has been nearly just as impressive. AR is putting up 31.1 ppg, 9.3 apg, 5.1 apg and 1.4 spg. They are the NBA’s most productive duo.

Paul Pierce does not see the LA Lakers having the same rhythm and chemistry if LeBron James resumes as the No. 1 or No. 2 option. He is urging the NBA’s all-time leading scorer to take on the Sixth Man role.

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Kevin Garnett laughs at Paul Pierce’s suggestion to have LeBron James come off the bench

The moment after Paul Pierce said that LeBron James should come off the bench, Kevin Garnett laughed at him. KG offered his case for James retaining a starting role:

“He’s given 22 years of greatness and we’re gonna ask him now, when we’ve asked him to play 46 minutes in f**king playoff games, now you’re asking him to come off the bench when he can start? Lord, he ain’t dipping him play! … You can’t ask a great to ‘Put your sword down and start using a knife.’”

Garnett continued that Pierce would not have come off the bench if he had played on the 2024 Boston Celtics with the stars of that team. “The Truth” countered that those Celtics did not struggle in the playoffs like the Lakers did with LeBron James and Luka Doncic starting.

Edited by Michael Macasero