LeBron trade proposal involves Paul George going to Lakers, Sixers teaming James with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, ex-Baylor Bear V.J. Edgecombe

The Los Angeles Lakers’ latest move, signing Marcus Smart to a two-year, $11 million contract, was one Luka Doncic, not LeBron James, personally signed off on. It’s clear that the power has shifted in L.A., and James may not be willing to stick around as a swayless second fiddle.

FOX Sports proposed several potential James trades to address the situation.

One of them would involve LeBron taking a “leap of faith” and waiving his no-trade clause to okay a move to the Philadelphia 76ers to play with an oft-injured and aging former MVP big man (Joel Embiid) and a young core (Tyrese Maxey, Jared McCain, VJ Edgecombe).

“James and the 76ers could be a match for a variety of reasons,” FOX Sports’ staff wrote.

“For starters, Philadelphia is better than its 24-58 record last season, as the prolonged absences of Joel Embiid and Paul George played an enormous role in that outcome. As a result of their nightmare 2024-25, the 76ers got the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft — assisted by a bump in the NBA Draft Lottery — and selected Baylor standout VJ Edgecombe. They also have 2024 first-rounder Jared McCain returning from a knee injury and could still re-sign restricted free agent Quentin Grimes, who broke out to average a career-high 21.9 points per game in 28 contests after the 76ers acquired him in February.

“Put James with star guard Tyrese Maxey and Philadelphia's compelling young core, and the 76ers should be at least a top-eight seed in an Eastern Conference reeling in injuries (e.g. the Indiana Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton and the Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum). Plus, if Embiid can return at some point during the season, Philadelphia then has a three-headed scoring monster in Embiid, Maxey and James and is a legitimate threat in the East. This is a franchise built to contend right now. Of course, that potential being realized is heavily reliant on health.

“Philadelphia could base a trade package for James around George and a future unprotected first-round pick (2030). The Lakers get an immediate replacement for James in George and future draft capital for their troubles, while the 76ers shed future payroll and embark on a compelling, short-term experiment. And Philadelphia certainly qualifies as a big market, likely to James' desire.

“All that said, holding out hope for both Embiid being close to 100% for the postseason and Philadelphia's young nucleus making a drastic jump would involve James taking a major leap of faith.”

A healthy Embiid may have been enough to entice James to play in the City of Brotherly Love. James as the Magic Johnson to Embiid’s Kareem Abdul-Jabar could’ve made for electric hoops, especially with young shooters and secondary playmakers like Maxey, McCain, and Edgecombe around him.

Alas, the Lakers appear set to stick with James. Yahoo Sports’ Chris Cwik asserted that the Athletic’s report on James planning to go to training camp “should presumably end rumors suggesting James could leave the franchise ahead of his 23rd season in the NBA.”

And yet, that pesky ESPN story and LeBron opting into the remaining year on his contract will always give James trade rumors juice.