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There's never a dull moment in Lakerland, especially as it pertains to the future of LeBron James.
James recently found himself at the center of more Buss family drama, to the point where former Lakers owner Jeanie Buss had to release a statement disputing claims that she fell out with James and "mused" about the NBA's all-time leading scorer to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Despite Buss' denial, the invocation of James merely highlights how the 41-year-old's Lakers tenure is set to end. One way or another, James is unlikely to re-sign with the Lakers for the 2026-27 season, which could be his last in the NBA.
MORE: Lakers monitoring trade for Pelicans' fearless $9 million point guard to pair with Luka Doncic
A massive three-team trade idea posited by Bleacher Report would put James back in Cleveland for a third stint with his hometown Cavaliers, where his son Bronny would join him. Heading back to the Lakers would be one of the NBA's most electric scorers in Lauri Markkanen.
Cavaliers receive: LeBron James, Bronny James, Adou Thiero
Lakers receive: Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen
Jazz receive: De'Andre Hunter, Max Strus (via trade exception), Sam Merrill, Lonzo Ball, Gabe Vincent, 2027 first-round pick (via Lakers, removing 1-4 protection to make unprotected), 2031 first-round pick (via Lakers, top-4 protected)
Markkanen, averaging a career-best 27.9 points per game for the Utah Jazz, is just the kind of floor-spacer who would thrive next to Luka Doncic in Los Angeles. Acquiring Jarrett Allen from the Cavaliers would give Doncic a genuine lob threat, too.
For facilitating the deal, the Jazz will get two first-round picks that would help their rebuild. Utah would be able to play or waive the pieces that Cleveland sends in return.
Though the Cavs may not want to part with so much roster depth to land one player, that player being LeBron James could well change the calculus and ensure a storybook ending to their story together.
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