Lakers predicted to acquire $90 million former All-Star in LeBron James-centered trade originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It’s difficult to envision the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster looking the same in 2026-27.

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There’s a high probability that the franchise will experience changes in the summer, with the most likely scenario being the 17-time NBA champions making an impactful trade for a two-way wing or a dynamic center.

CBS Sports’ Sam Quinn believes that Los Angeles could acquire a former All-Star center this upcoming offseason in a LeBron James-centered trade.

“There’s no world in which James can get close to the $52.6 million he is currently making in Cleveland (Cavaliers, or any other team he’d likely be interested in playing for), but we can cook up some sign-and-trade scenarios to make more for him,” Quinn wrote Monday.

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“If (Donovan) Mitchell, (James) Harden, and (Evan) Mobley are off-limits here, the only other available big salary for the Cavaliers to trade is Jarrett Allen’s. Conveniently enough, the Lakers need a long-term center and have the cap space to absorb Allen outright. That makes matters fairly straightforward.”

Quinn’s trade idea would be ideal for Luka Doncic and the Lakers. Deep down, it’s unlikely Los Angeles is thrilled with the idea of parting ways with Austin Reaves, even if it would allow them to acquire a cemented star with a winning background.

By landing Allen in a deal featuring James, the Lakers would not only give Doncic a center who always plays with 100% effort and is reliable in pick-and-roll situations, but also move up from an aging forward in James, who’s already on his way out of the league.

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Allen is averaging 14.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game with the Cavaliers this season, shooting 62.3% from the field in 43 contests.

Needless to say, Quinn’s summer trade concept makes perfect sense for the Lakers.

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