Lakers LeBron James blockbuster proposal sends $111M duo to Nuggets for $208M Kentucky star

The Los Angeles Lakers and LeBron James find themselves in a difficult position this offseason. This is perhaps the most unusual time in James’ storied career. The 40-year-old legend is entering the final year of his contract—and he might not make it to the end of the season in a Lakers uniform.

Lakers reporter Dave McMenamin provided an update on James, noting that LeBron isn’t adding fuel to the speculation.

“With LeBron James at the Lakers game tonight, I asked him if he would like to speak to me about his future with the franchise. ‘I ain’t got nothing to talk about,’ he said. My report for ESPN from Las Vegas,” McMenamin wrote.

Much of the uncertainty stems from recent comments made by Rich Paul regarding James’ future with the team. According to reports, four teams around the league have already contacted the Lakers.

“McMenamin did not share which four teams reached out to Paul, but noted that Paul specified James has not asked for a trade from the Lakers. Paul has additionally not even talked with James about possibly wanting a trade in the future,” Sports Illustrated’s Eva Geitheim wrote.

For the first time in his career, James doesn't appear to have full control. Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale proposed a bold trade scenario that would send LeBron to the Denver Nuggets.

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“Denver Nuggets Receive: LeBron James, Bronny James. Los Angeles Lakers Receive: DaRon Holmes II, Jamal Murray, Peyton Watson, 2028 first-round pick swap,” Favale wrote.

“LeBron is a basketball sicko. He has to see the value in joining forces with Nikola Jokić. Bronny is also coming with LeBron. So, problem solved! The resulting Nuggets team would be thinner by subbing out two rotation players (Murray and Watson) for one, but it's miles from untenable following the additions of Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. this offseason,” he added.

The Lakers may ultimately need to move on from James. If he does land in Denver, a duo of Jokic and LeBron could be lethal. At the end of the day, James is simply trying to win one more title before he retires.