What the Warriors Trying to Trade for LeBron Says About His Lakers Future—Short and Long Term

Earlier this week, the story broke that Warriors owner Joe Lacob gave Jeanie Buss a ring, asking whether or not the Lakers would trade LeBron James. (And if so, maybe to Golden State?) Jeanie said they weren't interested, but they could run it past Team LeBron, as a courtesy, because if James wanted out, they'd try to honor the request.

The answer was no, LeBron isn't interested, and with that, the episode ended.

But the intrigue? ONLY BEGINNING!

For starters, the context of the conversation was founded in a moment where things looked ugly for the Lakers. Now, however, the vibes are strong. The team is confident heading into the break. So the contrast is interesting.

Also intriguing: The notion of trading LeBron, and LeBron's option broadly, gets into all sorts of questions about how the team needs to be organized around him (and really, Anthony Davis) in order to maximize the late season benefits of James, when he can fully deliver on his capabilities.

Finally, who benefits from a story like this being out there? What motivates the leakers, here?

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: How the LeBron Trade Story illustrates just how fast a season can pivot.

SEGMENT 2: What does this story say about the short and long(ish) term future of LeBron and the Lakers?

SEGMENT 3: Who benefits from leaking this story in the way it did?

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