Proposed Trade Has Lakers Send LeBron James to Warriors for $120 Million Star

NBA trade rumors continue to swirl about LeBron James’ future with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Golden State Warriors’ interest in James has been well-documented.

PN previously reported that Golden State attempted to trade for James in 2024. Now, the Warriors could have another opportunity if James’ relationship with the Lakers goes south.

Sports Illustrated’s Jackson Caudell and Rohan Raman floated a three-team trade idea with James as the centerpiece.

The trade pitch involves the Lakers, Warriors and Atlanta Hawks. Golden State lands James, Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, Shake Milton, and Jordan Goodwin. In exchange for dealing one of the NBA greats, the Lakers acquire Jonathan Kuminga via a sign-and-trade (four-year, $120 million contract), Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Additionally, the Hawks receive Moses Moody and Gui Santos for helping facilitate the blockbuster Warriors-Lakers deal.

Let’s dive into the pros and cons to this wild blockbuster trade pitch for the Lakers and Warriors.

The Warriors Pushed the Lakers to Trade LeBron James Back in 2024

The move would allow James to finally play with Steph Curry and Draymond Green. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski previously revealed secret conversations between the Warriors and Lakers ahead of the 2024 NBA trade deadline.

“Over a clandestine 24-hour window prior to the trade deadline Thursday that included owner-to-owner conversations, the Golden State Warriors made an unsuccessful bid to convince the Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James to consider a trade to pair him with longtime rival Stephen Curry, sources told ESPN,” Wojnarowski and Shelburne detailed in a February 14, 2024, story titled, “Sources: Warriors made bid for LeBron James at trade deadline.”

“The Warriors were eager to present a package deal to L.A., but neither the Lakers nor James were willing to explore a potential blockbuster. … (Rich) Paul told Lacob and Warriors GM Mike Dunleavy Jr., that James had no interest in a trade and wanted to remain a Laker, sources said. When Dunleavy reached out to Lakers GM Rob Pelinka in those pretrade deadline hours, Dunleavy had been told the same: The Lakers wanted to keep James, sources said.”

Will the Lakers Actually Consider a Trade for LeBron James?

The trade rumors have intensified after James’ dropped a bombshell statement about his future, via agent Rich Paul, ahead of NBA free agency. It remains to be seen if this was posturing by James to push the Lakers to make moves, or if the superstar will attempt to push for a trade.

“(The Lakers) would add a lot of useful pieces around Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves,” Caudell and Raman wrote in a July 4, 2025, story titled, “New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends LeBron James to Golden State, Jonathan Kuminga To The Lakers.” “Kuminga could take on a bigger role with the Lakers and Podziemski and Hield give the Lakers solid options off the bench. Jackson-Davis is an intriguing young option for this team and they create a lot of future flexibility.”

This would not be the first time James sparked conversation about his future, but the signs still point to the star suiting up for the Lakers this season, even if his camp is attempting to cloud the picture this offseason.