NBA rumors: Brian Windhorst claims Lakers would ‘kill’ for LeBron James-Jarrett Allen trade with Cavs

While the Los Angeles Lakers are doing what they can to improve their roster before LeBron James’ decision for the 2026-27 season, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst floated a trade for Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen that would send The King back home. The Lakers are in a dire need to upgrade their center, according to the ESPN analyst. And while bringing back James to play alongside Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic is still a possibility, Los Angeles isn’t afraid to part ways with LeBron.

For the betterment of the team, the Lakers would trade James for Allen in a heartbeat, according to Windhorst, he said, per ESPN Cleveland.

“There is a thought process out there in Los Angeles and if the Cavs were interested in this, the Lakers would sit up in attention right now,” Windhorst said. “That they would sign-and-trade LeBron for Jarrett Allen. I think if the Cavs were willing to do that, they could have LeBron.

“Obviously, LeBron would have to want to sign with the Cavs. But if your pathway to pay LeBron the money is to trade Jarrett Allen for him, the Lakers would kill for Jarrett Allen. Kill for him! They would do that deal in 17 tenths of a second.”

"I think if the Cavs were willing to do that, they could have LeBron, obviously LeBron would have to want to sign with the Cavs," – @WindhorstESPN says the Lakers would KILL to get Jarrett Allen in a trade for LeBron. pic.twitter.com/WiFmIABUiE

— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 24, 2026

Watching LeBron James head back to the Cavs for one last dance would be a fitting ending to the future Hall of Fame forward’s career.

NBA insider’s take on Lakers’ LeBron James’ commitment issues

All-Star LeBron James will speak to the Lakers first amid this summer’s free agency. In the meantime, James’ representatives have been in steady communication with the Lakers, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne.

“L.A. is the first team he can talk to because he’s their own free agent,” Shelburne said. “And my understanding is they had initial conversations with LeBron James’ representative, but he has not even fully committed to returning next year in these conversations. The conversations were described to me as, ‘We’re keeping in touch.’ OK? So, there’s no commitment to even returning or salary figures being discussed.”

LeBron James has not fully committed to returning to the Lakers next season, per @ramonashelburne

“My understanding, had initial conversations with LeBron James' representative, but he has not even fully committed to returning next year in these conversations. The conversations… pic.twitter.com/pl0B3moxbl

— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) June 22, 2026

After falling short to the Knicks in a 4-0 sweep, the Cavs will look to build off their Eastern Conference Finals apperance by adding James.

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