Bill Simmons proposes wild LeBron James for Karl-Anthony Towns trade

The Ringer's Bill Simmons recently proposed a wild trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks.

Simmons appeared on Wednesday's episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast with guest Rob Mahoney. He said the Lakers should trade LeBron James to the Knicks for Karl-Anthony Towns.

"(It's) not a bad trade to solve two things," Simmons said. "If you're the Knicks, just trying to get out of the Towns business before that contract gets crazy. If you're the Lakers, this is a pretty interesting guy to put with Luka (Doncic)."

Trade talks surrounding the Lakers and Knicks are growing louder after the teams' recent slumps. Simmons believes the Lakers should evaluate the trade market for James, who will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

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"I don't have to worry about getting nothing for LeBron a year from now," Simmons said.

The trade would not have to involve any other assets, as James and Towns have nearly identical salaries. But James has a no-trade clause in his contract and would have to approve any deal.

Mahoney was less enthusiastic about the trade, but said a potential deal involving Towns for Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis would make sense for the Knicks.

"I'm open to any Towns trade," Mahoney said. "An Anthony Davis one might be more appealing, especially if your medical staff believes he might be back in five or six weeks."

Towns is making $53.2 million this season and is under contract through the 2027-28 season. Simmons jokingly said a KAT for LeBron swap would be fun for the league.

"Sign me up from an entertainment, fun standpoint of just Towns for LeBron," he said. 

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