Lakers Open to LeBron James Sign-and-Trade for All-Star Big Man

The Los Angeles Lakers have needed a top-of-the-line center since trading for All-NBA point guard Luka Doncic, and they may have the opportunity to acquire one in a LeBron James sign-and-trade.

James’ contract expired after the 2025-26 season, meaning he is entering free agency for likely the final time in his Hall of Fame career. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst believes the Lakers can re-sign him and send him to the Cleveland Cavaliers for All-Star center Jarrett Allen.

“Obviously, LeBron would have to want to sign with the Cavs, but if your pathway to paying LeBron the money is to trade Jarrett Allen for him, the Lakers would KILL for Jarrett Allen. KILL for him. All right? They would do that deal in 17-tenths of a second,” Windhorst said.

“I think if the Cavs were willing to do that, they could have LeBron, obviously LeBron would have to want to sign with the Cavs,” – @WindhorstESPN says the Lakers would KILL to get Jarrett Allen in a trade for LeBron. pic.twitter.com/WiFmIABUiE

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 24, 2026

“I think if the Cavs were willing to do that, they could have LeBron, obviously LeBron would have to want to sign with the Cavs,” – @WindhorstESPN says the Lakers would KILL to get Jarrett Allen in a trade for LeBron. pic.twitter.com/WiFmIABUiE

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 24, 2026

James is set to enter his 24th NBA season in 2026, and will likely earn a significant amount of money wherever he signs. Despite being the oldest player in the league last season, James still averaged 20.9 points per game, as well as 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per night.

The Lakers have less cap space this offseason than they did for James last season, as they will have Austin Reaves on their books with a four-year, $185 million contract. Trading James for Allen would likely free up some more cap space and give the Lakers the center they so desperately need.

Allen is under contract for three more season, and will make an average of just over $30 million annually during that time.

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Allen is still just 28 years old, and has shown over the past nine years he can be a force on both offense and defense. He has averaged 10 or more points per game since 2018-19, and is one of the better rim protectors in the league.

In 2025-26, Allen averaged 15.4 points per game, the third-highest total of his career, and led the Cavs in defensive rating with a mark of 112.1.

DeAndre Ayton started at center for the Lakers for a majority of the season, and had fewer points, rebounds and assists than Allen over the course of the year. Additionally, Ayton’s 115.1 defensive rating is noticeable worse than Allen’s.

Acquiring Allen from the Cavs would give the Lakers the center they’ve been searching for since trading for Doncic, and would significantly improve the quality of their front court.