A rumored LeBron trade request would gift the Lakers a golden opportunity

Here's why that may actuallly be a good thing.

LeBron James, Draymond Green
LeBron James, Draymond Green | Ethan Miller/GettyImages

Despite a strong start, the Los Angeles Lakers are fading fast and many are starting to wonder if they have what it takes to make another deep playoff run. If they don't then that may mean that they will make a big trade or two to try and improve their roster or at least be open to moving on from superstar LeBron James.

James, to be clear, hasn't asked out but there is rampant speculation that he might. Teams such as the Golden State Warriors were interested in acquiring him last season and would jump at the chance to do so if he did demand a trade this year.

Even the Lakers may be relieved to have him request a trade in that event given what that would mean for their future. Currently, there is pressure for them to continue to build around him and star Anthony Davis, including moving a first-round pick in a potential deal.

On the other hand, if LeBron were to demand a trade then the Lakers could receive a significant haul for him. Even at 40 years old, he would be the biggest player available on the trade market a team such as the Warriors could offer top dollar in a potential deal. One such trade package could include Jonathan Kuminga, Andrew Wiggins, and a first-round pick.

A rumored LeBron trade request would gift the struggling Lakers a golden opportunity.

Getting a player such as Wiggins, who is having a bounce-back season would keep the Lakers respectable but he obviously isn't LeBron. More importantly, the Lakers would get an intriguing prospect in Kuminga who has played well when given extended minutes.

But he still isn't averaging 30 minutes per game in Golden State. The Warriors seem poised to lose him this summer given that he will be a restricted free agent and any team with cap space who can make a decent offer can steal him away.

That means that they may be willing to include him in a hypothetical deal for LeBron, as well as 2025 first would be a strong offer all things considered. Of course, all of this is contingent on whether LeBron demands a trade.

All in all, the Lakers would probably prefer to be a contender but that appears to becoming more and more unlikely barring a big trade. If they can't pull off a big trade then LeBron may ask out and that would present the Lakers with a silver lining.