LA Lakers Rumors Roundup: LeBron James likely to return to Cleveland if traded, Lakers front office focused on their future than this season, and more
The LA Lakers cannot trade LeBron James this season, as he signed an extension in the summer. The latest rumors suggest that if James wants out of Los Angeles, he will likely want to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Meanwhile, the Lakers front office are reportedly focused on their future rather than this season. They're reluctant to part ways with their picks despite James' subtle hints to improve the roster.
On that note, here's the latest LA Lakers rumors roundup for January 14 brought to you by Sportskeeda:
LeBron James likely to return to Cleveland if traded
LeBron James has been linked with a potential trade out of the LA Lakers since last season. He's often rumored to want a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers till he signed an extension last summer.
However, an NBA executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports that "The King" would want a trade to the Cavaliers if he decides to request it. The executive revealed what it would take for both sides to make a potential deal.
"If he wants it all to end on a good note, go back to Cleveland one last time," the exec said. "It is a good team; you can win, and it is where it all started. No one's going to hate him for going to Cleveland again. The trick is getting the numbers to match up. If you could do something with Kevin Love's contract, that could be the key."
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LA Lakers front office focused on their future than this season
The LA Lakers are battling for a spot in the playoffs despite the injury to Anthony Davis. LeBron James continues to defy Father Time by carrying the Lakers to a respectable record. James has been making hints to the front office about upgrading the roster, but that might not happen.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin revealed on That's OD show that the Lakers are focusing their attention on the future rather than this season. It's certainly possible for the team to stay put ahead of the trade deadline and ride their flawed roster to wherever James brings them.
"If the right deal emerges, that will make them, in their eyes, a better team over the next three years, that's their priority," McMenamin said. "They want the team to get to the best level it can get while LeBron James is still on the roster. But if that means not making that deal in February and playing out the rest of this season with the group that they have and knowing that they feel there is going to be a better deal in July over the offseason, they'll do that."
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LA Lakers discussed potential trade with Detroit Pistons
The LA Lakers reportedly tried to acquire Bojan Bogdanovic from the Utah Jazz in the offseason. However, the Jazz traded him to the Detroit Pistons for Kelly Olynyk, Saben Lee and cash considerations.
According to Chris Mannix and Howard Beck of Sports Illustrated, the Lakers are still interested in the Croatian scorer. Mannix and Beck cited sources saying that the Lakers have discussed a potential trade with the Pistons involving Bogdanovic, as well as Nerlens Noel.
It was rumored last month that the Lakers were ready to offer Kendrick Nunn, Patrick Beverley and a protected first-round pick for Bogdanovic. The 33-year-old forward would bolster the Lakers' chances of making the postseason. He's having the best season of his career, averaging 21.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
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