LA Lakers Rumors: NBA executive suggests potential LeBron James and Kevin Durant team up in Brooklyn

LeBron James is ineligible to be traded this season, but that hasn't stopped rumors of him wanting out of the LA Lakers. An NBA executive suggested that "The King" and Kevin Durant could team up in Brooklyn in the offseason.

The anonymous Western Conference executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports that people should not count out the possibility of James and Durant becoming teammates. He explained that both players have mutual respect for each other and might want to end their NBA careers on top.

"LeBron would have to be interested in playing with Kevin Durant," the executive said. "Both of those guys, at this point of their careers, they have been such great competitors. Both of them want to finish out their time in the NBA strong, want to change the narrative a little bit on the way the last few years have gone.

They have never been very close as friends, but they have a lot of respect for each other. But, do you trade Kyrie? Probably, if they wanted to do a trade, they'd move Ben Simmons to LA, but Simmons is a Klutch guy, so you'd have to see how that plays out."

LeBron James and Kevin Durant teaming up in Brooklyn could break the NBA. They're two of the best players of their generation. James might be 38 but remains in great shape and is still on top of his game.

Meanwhile, Durant is in the prime of his career and among the best players in the game currently. He might be more injury prone since joining the Nets but has been great and almost unstoppable when he plays.

For the Nets to pull off a massive trade like this one, the LA Lakers would need to be interested in acquiring someone like Ben Simmons. Kyrie Irving could also be part of a potential deal if he decides to remain in Brooklyn. Irving is set to become a free agent at the end of the season.

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LA Lakers winning streak ends without LeBron James

LA Lakers vs Denver Nuggets

The LA Lakers were on a five-game winning streak before entering Monday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets. However, LeBron James was listed as out due to left ankle soreness. James has been carrying the Lakers since Anthony Davis suffered an injury.

Russell Westbrook had 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, but that wasn't enough to beat the Nuggets. Thomas Bryant added 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Lakers' 122-109 loss.

Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic led Denver with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists. Jamal Murray exploded for 34 points, while Bruce Brown scored 15 points off the bench.

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