According to an NBA writer, the Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to do something special on the trade market yet again.
Sports Illustrated’s Ethen Hutton’s most recent blockbuster trade idea involving the Lakers would swap a historic father-son duo (first to share the floor in an NBA contest) for a three-time MVP.
“To pull off a trade of this magnitude (LeBron James, Bronny James, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick, and a 2031 first-round pick to the Denver Nuggets for Nikola Jokic), not only would it cost the Lakers the league’s all-time leading scorer, but three first-round picks and a first-round pick swap in 2031,” Hutton wrote Tuesday.
“L.A. mortgages a significant chunk of their future, but pieces together one of the top star pairings in league history. Jokic and (Luka) Doncic have already built a notable rapport and are good friends on and off the court.”
“This duo could set the Lakers up for title contention for at least the next half-decade. In L.A., both Jokic and Doncic form a seamless pairing and likely wouldn’t see much, if any, dip in production.”
“Now on the same team, the pair remain two of the most coveted players in fantasy basketball, given the immense offensive upside.”
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Acquiring Jokic would do wonders for the Lakers’ post-James era in Los Angeles.
As the best center and player in the NBA, Jokic has the ability to single-handedly alter the course of games with his diverse skill set.
The 30-year-old NBA champion can torch defenders from beyond the arc, complete streetball-esque passes from various spots on the floor, wear down defenders with his physicality in the low post, and serve as the head of the snake when necessary.
More impressively, Jokic does it all without being an above-average leaper, showcasing that below-the-rim athletes are more than capable of succeeding in the big leagues if they master specific aspects of the game.
If the Lakers are fully prepared to begin a new chapter by saying goodbye to James and his son, who’s to say they won’t identify Jokic as a near-perfect trade target?
A Jokic and Doncic duo would make the Lakers title favorites for years to come.
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