Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Sends LeBron James, Austin Reaves, Walker Kessler to Cleveland Cavaliers

An NBA trade proposal created by Greg Swartz involves five teams: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets. The core of the deal sends LeBron James, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler to the Cleveland Cavaliers. In return, the Cavaliers would also receive a 2027 lottery-protected first-round pick (via Miami) and save $27.2 million.

The Los Angeles Lakers would acquire Lauri Markkanen, De’Andre Hunter, and Max Strus. The Utah Jazz would receive Darius Garland and Maxi Kleber. The Charlotte Hornets would get Jarrett Allen. Finally, the Brooklyn Nets would obtain Grant Williams, Jarred Vanderbilt, and a 2027 top-2 protected first-round pick (via Dallas).

For this trade to be possible, LeBron James must request a trade from the Lakers and specifically ask to be sent to the Cavaliers, utilizing the no-trade clause in his contract. He is entering the final year of his deal, worth $52.6 million next season.

The proposal represents a major overhaul for Cleveland while retaining Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley alongside LeBron. Reaves (20.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 5.8 APG) would replace Garland as the starting guard next to Mitchell, and Kessler (11.1 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.4 BPG) would succeed Allen at center. Both Reaves and Kessler will require new, significantly larger contracts next summer, but LeBron's expiring $52.6 million salary provides Cleveland flexibility to address this. The Cavaliers would also gain an extra future first-round pick and have $8.6 million remaining to sign two players.

Despite turning 41 in December and being the NBA's oldest active player, LeBron remains one of the league's best, coming off an All-NBA Second Team selection and a sixth-place finish in MVP voting last season. The Cavaliers, who were the Eastern Conference's top seed last season (swept Miami in the first round but lost to Indiana in the conference semifinals), would also add the promising young talents Reaves and Kessler in this scenario.