Name: NBA Execs See LeBron's Influence over Lakers Leading to a Chris Paul Trade
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NBA Execs See LeBron's Influence over Lakers Leading to a Chris Paul Trade

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XWinning their 17th championship on Sunday, everyone in the organization—from players to coaches to front-office personnel—deserve their respect for pushing through a long, challenging season.Klutch Sports Group We officially welcome @AntDavis23! https://t.co/2rxOQG058fAfter his team had clinched the Western Conference Finals over the , James shared his take on Davis coming to Los Angeles:Dan Woike LeBron to @taniaganguli on what he was thinking as the confetti fell https://t.co/WinzoKl7Ow&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;RewindDrew Garrison Full Rob Pelinka quote on the Lakers signing KCP. I swear this is real. https://t.co/utwK62dDR0Caldwell-Pope reached a deal with Johnson (former president of basketball operations) and Pelinka to join the Lakers for $17.7 million over one year. Perhaps Pelinka understood that KCP was the first step toward building a relationship with Klutch, Paul and ultimately James (who was still under contract with the ).. The Lakers will have his full rights and the ability to compensate Caldwell-Pope handsomely, regardless of the impact the COVID-19 shutdown might have on the salary cap.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;So Who Will LeBron Lure Next?" would love to come back to L.A. I know it would be a dream come true for Chris," an Eastern Conference executive said. "I know LeBron loves and trusts him and he would be a good fit."Paul would give the Lakers a third scorer and playmaking depth, especially if they retain Rajon Rondo, who also plans to opt out, per Charania. The challenge would be the two years, $85.6 million left on Paul's contract (he can opt out of the final season but isn't likely to, given the $44.2 million payday).If James set his sights on Paul, the Lakers would have to send out five players:&nbsp; Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green and Quinn Cook, along with Avery Bradley and JaVale McGee, who need to opt into their contracts to be dealt. L.A. would also need to send its No. 28 pick in November's draft, signing that player before waiting 30 days to execute a deal in which the Lakers would offload almost $33 million in players salaries.Isn't that too much of an upheaval for a team that just won a title?"It seems like a risk, but sometimes you need to [execute big moves] to make yourself even better," the executive continued. "The [Golden State] will be better. The [Los Angeles] may be better. The [Denver] Nuggets aren't going to get worse. Your competition is getting better. It worked [in Orlando] for the Lakers, but I don't know if you have a normal regular season without the bubble if it does."Bradley sat out the NBA restart because of family concerns. McGee and Cook were not regular contributors. A late first-round pick may not get much court time to develop on a team aspiring to repeat as champions. The Lakers would lose significant depth, one starter (Green) and a key reserve (Kuzma)."It's a no-brainer to get a third scorer [and playmaker] like Chris. It's a really valid and viable scenario," he said. "Will it happen? I don't know, but if I'm the Lakers [or] if I'm LeBron, that's what I go for. They might be able to get a pick back from the Thunder, like [the 's 2021 previously acquired by Oklahoma City]."There's no guarantee the Thunder will trade Paul after the team's 44-28 season, but the buzz around the league is they'll talk to teams like the or to test the waters. It's unclear if James will push the Lakers to enter that conversation, but it may be worth noting that Paul is coming off a tremendous season and is the godfather to LeBron James Jr.As far as replenishing the lost depth, James is a powerful recruiter. The Lakers could revisit , former James teammates like Tristan Thompson (also a Klutch client) and Kyle Korver and/or a versatile defender like Maurice Harkless.Grant can opt out of his final year at $9.3 million. The Lakers could have the means to pay him roughly $40 million over four years. That isn't close to what the Nuggets can pay to retain him, but James always seems to be recruiting.Kyle Goon On a question from @Rachel__Nichols, Anthony Davis talked about how Rajon Rondo was one of the first people he called after his trade to the Lakers to tell him he wanted him to come back because he respected his leadership and will to win. https://t.co/IYztJ8hGbcDavid Aldridge Anthony Davis’s pitch to DeMarcus Cousins, per source, was short and to the point-let’s win it all. Their relationship in New Orleans was very solid, but Cousins’s achilles’ injury and the Pels’ lack of interest re-signing him ended things prematurely.Of course, the team's future is tethered to Davis' decision to opt out of his $28.8 million and re-sign in L.A. Not many teams project to have cap room, but the Lakers, with Davis and James on board, look like a team with options.🚨 SPORTS NEWS ➡️ YOUR INBOXThe latest in the sports world, emailed daily.Maybe later

XWinning their 17th championship on Sunday, everyone in the organization—from players to coaches to front-office personnel—deserve their respect for pushing through a long, challenging season.Klutch Sports Group We officially welcome @AntDavis23! https://t.co/2rxOQG058fAfter his team had clinched the Western Conference Finals over the , James shared his take on Davis coming to Los Angeles:Dan Woike LeBron to @taniaganguli on what he was thinking as the confetti fell https://t.co/WinzoKl7Ow&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;RewindDrew Garrison Full Rob Pelinka quote on the Lakers...

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NBA Execs See LeBron's Influence over Lakers Leading to a Chris Paul Trade

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