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Los Angeles Lakers trade clears space to make run for LeBron James in 2018

By Nathan Beighle

March 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
March 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) during second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off the second blockbuster trade of the NBA offseason, and it was partially so that they could make a run at LeBron James in 2018.

On June 19, the Los Angeles Lakers trade D’Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets for Brook Lopez and the No. 27 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. This trade could clear enough cap for the Lakers to make a serious run at LeBron James in the 2018 offseason.

According to Yahoo Sports, this could open up some major cap room for a possible addition in the offseason of 2018.

Woj, the infamous face of Yahoo Sports NBA coverage, said this about the trade:

"The trade also allows the Lakers to shed the three years and $54 million left on Mozgov’s contract, and they gain Lopez’s expiring $22.6 million deal. With Lopez’s contract coming off the books in 2018, the Lakers are expected to have $30 million in cap room that summer."

With Paul George overwhelmingly wanting to end up in Los Angeles after his contract expires in 2018, the Lakers are looking to clear enough cap room so that they can max out two superstars. The team could potentially have Clarkson, Randle, Ingram, Ball, Nance, James, and George. While not a superteam, they could easily compete with Golden State for the best in the West.

Woj later verified that the Lakers intent in this trade could be to clear the room for James.

James, who is currently 32, will be turning 34 just a few months in the 2018-2019 season. James will still be productive well into his 30’s, but within a year of this contract, it should be obvious that James will be slowing down.

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While still a good move for the Lakers, their NBA prominence could be short-lived if it is based solely around giving LeBron James a long-term max. James leaving his beloved Cleveland will be a hot topic both this offseason and next.