Could the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers make a trade with each other?
An NBA trade idea between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers has been created.
NBA writer Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Cavaliers and Lakers:
Cleveland Cavaliers get: Rui Hachimura, Adou Thiero and a 2031 first-round pick
Los Angeles Lakers get: Jarrett Allen
This trade works under the NBA's CBA rules, but it can't happen until the offseason since the 2026 trade deadline has already passed.
There are rumors that LeBron James is going to leave the Lakers and come home to the Cavaliers this offseason. Why not surround James with a player with whom he has a strong relationship, such as Hachimura? The two train together in summers and have been teammates since the 2022-23 season.
Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson can start James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Hachimura, James and Evan Mobley. Trading Allen creates more space on the court. The big man sometimes clogs up driving lanes since he's not a perimeter threat.
Hachimura is one of the best shooters in the NBA. He's shooting 49.7% from the field and 43.2% from beyond the arc this season for the Lakers.
This trade idea would have to be a sign-and-trade in the offseason since Hachimura becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. It would certainly be a sight to see Hachimura and James leave the Lakers for the Cavaliers together.
Cleveland hasn't advanced past the second round of the playoffs with Mitchell, Allen and Mobley leading the way. If that doesn't change this year, the Cavaliers need to trade Allen, sign James in free agency and get shooters such as Hachimura.
The 28-year-old Hachimura is a career 39.0% shooter from 3. He has already proven to be a good fit next to James, so he would probably fit will alongside Harden and Mitchell.
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