Sign-and-Trade First? Report: Lakers Reportedly Interested in Swapping LeBron James for Cavaliers' Allen; Media Outlines 6-for-4 Trade Proposal

On June 25, Beijing time, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst reported that the Los Angeles Lakers are interested in a sign-and-trade deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers involving LeBron James and Jarrett Allen.

James has become a free agent again for the first time since 2018. There has been ongoing speculation that he plans to return to the Cavaliers, but Cleveland can currently offer the legendary star only about $3 million in annual salary.

The sign-and-trade approach would allow James to secure his desired salary from the Cavaliers, while the Lakers would acquire Allen to bolster their center position alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Windhorst said, "If the Cavaliers are willing to push this trade through, they can get James—provided, of course, James himself is willing to sign with Cleveland. The Lakers will do whatever it takes to acquire Jarrett Allen in this deal."

Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus previously outlined a sign-and-trade scenario between the Cavaliers and Lakers involving James and Allen. The proposed mock trade is as follows:

Cavaliers receive: LeBron James, Bronny James, Deandre Ayton, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, plus a $28 million trade exception.

Lakers receive: Jarrett Allen, Dennis Schröder, Dean Wade, Sam Merrill.

It is widely believed that unless James decides to retire this summer, the basketball legend will either stay with the Lakers or return to the Cavaliers for a third stint to finish his career.

Under this trade proposal, the James family would return to their hometown, teaming up with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley. Allen would head to the Lakers, forming a new lineup with Dončić and Reaves.

As is well known, James is the greatest player in Cavaliers history. During his two stints in Cleveland, he won two regular-season MVPs, one Finals MVP, and was selected to 10 All-Star games.

James last played for the Cavaliers in the 2017-18 season. That year, Cleveland lost to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, and he left his hometown in the offseason to join the Lakers as a free agent.

James is arguably the greatest player in NBA history, with four regular-season MVPs, four championship rings, and four Finals MVPs. He sits atop the NBA's all-time lists for total points, total field goals, games played, total minutes played, and total wins.

The Cavaliers were swept by the New York Knicks in the 2026 conference finals. The team clearly needs James' help to make another championship run. Under this trade, Cleveland's potential starting lineup would be Harden, Mitchell, James, Mobley, and Ayton, boasting formidable firepower on paper.

Last season with the Lakers, James averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game. Although he is the oldest active player in the league, he remains a top-tier offensive force.

If James can end his career alongside his son Bronny in Cleveland, it would become a legendary story in basketball history. Let's wait and see. Sources say the Lakers have had preliminary discussions with James' agent, Rich Paul, during their draft preparations.