The thinking is that if LeBron James leaves the Los Angeles Lakers and joins the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer, it could be through a sign-and-trade. According to at least one report, he almost certainly won’t accept a veteran minimum contract, and he seems unlikely to accept the taxpayer mid-level exception, which will be at roughly $6 million for next season.
Such a scenario could actually benefit the Lakers in the sense that it would leave them with at least one player who would address their roster needs. Jarrett Allen, the Cavaliers’ starting center, has been discussed as a player who could be sent to Los Angeles for James. But the Cavs may not agree to send a player such as Allen who averaged 15.4 points and 8.5 rebounds a game this season, in exchange for James.
NBA insider Brett Siegel mentioned three of Cleveland’s other rotation players who could end up in L.A. if James decides to return to Northeast Ohio, and any of them could move the needle at least a little bit.
“You’re talking about Dean Wade in a sign-and-trade being moved to Los Angeles; you’re talking about Jarrett Allen being moved to Los Angeles; maybe even a guy like Dennis Schroder reunites with Los Angeles,” Siegel said. “… Max Strus, another name as we already talked about, could potentially be included in a sign-and-trade for LeBron.”
Wade could be the type of 3-and-D forward the Lakers have needed for a while. He may not be much of a needle-mover, but he has a career mark of 36.7% shooting from 3-point range, and at 6-foot-9 and roughly 230 pounds, he’s also a decent rebounder.
Schroder had two previous stints with the Lakers, and at age 32, he remains an effective player. If James leaves, Los Angeles will need a speedy, playmaking point guard, and Schroder could fit the bill. This season, he averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists in 24.2 minutes a game, although he shot just 40.5% from the field and 32.9% from 3-point land.
Strus is another intriguing forward or wing who could help the Lakers. Like Wade, he came into the NBA after going undrafted, but he emerged as a useful player a few years ago with the Miami Heat. This season, the 6-foot-5 30-year-old put up 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds in 24 minutes a game and hit 40.2% of his 3-point attempts, however, he appeared in just 12 games after sitting out until March due to a Jones fracture in his left foot.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Insider on players Lakers could get in LeBron sign-and-trade with Cavs
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
