The Los Angeles Lakers sit near the top of the Western Conference with a 20–10 record, with Luka Doncic now at the center of the offense following February’s blockbuster trade that sent the five-time All-Star from Dallas to L.A.
Through 23 games, Doncic is leading the league in scoring at 33.7 points per game, while also averaging 8.6 assists, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.6 steals in 36.3 minutes per game.
LeBron James, meanwhile, exercised his $52.6 million player option for 2025–26 and remains with the Lakers, but through 14 games is averaging just 20.5 points (a career low), along with 6.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds (also a career low), in 32.9 minutes per game.
While he has remained a high-usage veteran presence, James is now 40 years old and entering the final chapter of his NBA career, prompting the Lakers to lean more heavily on Doncic and Austin Reaves as their primary scorers.
On Monday, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons floated the idea that the Lakers should consider moving James to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Jimmy Butler, framing it as a “for the good of the sport” blockbuster trade.
“How do you make the league more fun? You have a team that nobody’s excited about with the Lakers and a team that feels dead with the Warriors. LeBron for Jimmy Butler. That’s it. It feels like a ‘for the good of the sport trade,’ just more fun,” Simmons said.
“The Warriors are not fun. I don’t see a scenario where they become fun, but now you put LeBron on the team with (Steph) Curry, LeBron reinvigorated, and who knows? And then Butler is probably a better fit with Luka and Reeves anyway.”
“LeBron doesn’t really seem like he wants to be on the Lakers, is my take,” Simmons added.
Golden State has regained defensive intensity following last year’s midseason acquisition of Butler and has shown flashes of contender-level play with Steph Curry leading the offense.
Curry is averaging 28.9 points per game (ninth in the NBA), along with 4.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds.
However, the Warriors are currently 16-16 near the midway point of the season, sitting eighth in the Western Conference, and have moved away from the free-flowing, high-scoring offense they were once known for, averaging just 114.9 points per game, which ranks 22nd in the NBA.
Instead, the team’s identity has shifted toward a more physical, switch-heavy defensive approach under Butler, who is averaging 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 31.6 minutes per game.
After the trade, Butler agreed to a two-year, $121 million extension to remain with Golden State through 2026–27.
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For Golden State, adding James would pair a second elite playmaker with Curry, increasing offensive creation and playoff experience in what would be a pure win-now move, provided ownership is willing to tolerate the necessary contract and roster gymnastics.
For the Lakers, Butler offers a younger, defensive-minded closer who fits better alongside Doncic, Reaves, and the team’s complementary wings, while moving James’ $52.6 million salary could allow for broader roster rebalancing.
However, salary-matching rules and age considerations make any direct swap difficult, with a deal likely requiring additional players, draft protections, and creative structuring.
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