Lakers Trade Pitch Lands LeBron James $215M Star Teammate

Several NBA offseason reports indicated the Los Angeles Lakers were interested in trading for another star next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis. With multiple first-round draft picks available to trade, the Lakers were seemingly in a position to make a blockbuster move.

Not striking a deal this summer, Los Angeles instead enters the new season with a similar roster to last year's group. That team was eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round, winning just one game in the series.

James is entering his 22nd season in the NBA. Averaging 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.3 assists last season, the league's all-time leading scorer is still an elite player.

James still being at this level means the Lakers will continue seeing their name in trade rumors that bring back win-now players. A recent trade pitch from Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report sends Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine to Los Angeles.

In this pitch, the Lakers receive Zach LaVine and Antonio Reeves.

Amid a rebuild, the Bulls receive Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell, Jalen Hood-Schifino and two first-round picks. As for New Orleans, they land Rui Hachimura, Chris Duarte, Cam Reddish, Jaxson Hayes and one first-round pick.

LaVine is on a five-year, $215M contract with the Bulls that expires in 2027. Making two All-Star teams in his NBA career, LaVine has career averages of 20.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.

Selected 13th overall out of UCLA by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2014 NBA draft, LaVine joining the Lakers would bring him back to Los Angeles, where he played his college basketball.

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