LeBron James to Phoenix Suns trade possibility with 'inclination' Lakers could strike deal
The Los Angeles Lakers are down in 14th in the Western Conference with a woeful record of 3-10.
Jay Williams has given his reasons why LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers would be open to the idea of a trade to the Phoenix Suns. Trade speculation over James' future in L.A. has been ongoing for a few years now with the Lakers struggling to find the kind of form that saw them win a championship in 2020.
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Going 2-10 to start the season tied the franchise record for their worst start to a season in the history of the Lakers. It's now being suggested that the Lakers could look to blow things up next year and look to start a rebuild.
That would see James be made available, but Williams points out the Lakers would want plenty of draft picks in return. The Suns are one of a few teams to have an assortment of draft picks at their disposal with general managers James Jones, who was a former team-mate with LeBron at the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, looking to add even more by putting Jae Crowder in the shop window.
And former NBA player Williams has pointed out why he feels the Suns could be the best option for LeBron should the Lakers decide to go in a different direction next year. "I talk to a lot of people around the league," Williams told Arizona Sports.
"Is there a way to get LeBron James to the Suns to play with Devin Booker, CP3 [Chris Paul] and [Deandre] Ayton? There's a lot of draft picks that the Suns have, there's familiarity with James [Suns general manager] and LeBron.
"I get this inclination that I'm not sure the Lakers are going to want to be all-in. I don't think they're going to be able to turn things around and there might be a rebuild in process.
"And in the process of that, who better a trade partner than the Phoenix Suns, who feel like they're always right there but just seem to not be able to get over the hump." He added: "It would take a swath of picks. I think you would have to talk about a few future things that might need to occur in relation to little Bronny.
"But I look at the relationship he's had with management - their days back in Cleveland with James - and I also look at the relationship he's had with CP3 and the durability of always wanting to play together. There are some challenges injury-wise potentially at this stage, but I just don't think anything is out of the realm anymore.
"I look at this Lakers team and I think that they're going to be on the outside looking in and Rob Pelinka and Jeanie Buss are really going to be at this stage where they're going to have to think about whether they want to jeopardise they're only two picks to be all-in for the next year and jeopardise the future of this franchise. Will LeBron want to be there long-term after next year? I'm not really sure that's the case of him ending his career in LA."
