Rumored All-Star Trade Target Cuts Direct Link to LeBron James, Lakers, and Responses
The Los Angeles Lakers are anticipated to seek a trade for an All-Star player to supplement LeBron James – provided he opts into the second year of his two-year, $99 million contract this offseason – and Anthony Davis.
Their speculated targets are Cleveland Cavaliers standout Donovan Mitchell and James’ old colleague, Kyrie Irving, currently with the Dallas Mavericks. They are still in the playoffs.
Trae Young, a third potential target, and his Atlanta Hawks are at home. However, Young’s new choice may provide a stumbling block to any prospective deal this summer. Young said that he had moved representation to the Creative Arts Agency (CAA).
“When I say it, I really mean it..,” the three-time All-Star Young wrote on X on May 7. “Another Day, Another Opportunity.”
It’s unclear how this will affect the Hawks’ trade intentions. Young owns a residence in L.A. However, he has stated that he intends to stay in Atlanta with the Hawks. He also stated unequivocally that he prefers to win sooner rather than later, placing the onus on the front office to accommodate this.
They are largely anticipated to look into selling him or teammate Dejounte Murray this offseason.
The Lakers and Hawks had advanced trade conversations over Murray before the deadline, and this might pave the way for those talks to resume this offseason.
Murray is also a Klutch client, as is Hawks emerging star Jalen Johnson, whom James trained with last offseason. Johnson, on the other hand, stated during his season-ending news conference that he intends to move from James’ signature sneaker due to a string of ankle ailments this season.
Rules of the CAA-Klutch Sports Beef
CAA is a notable adversary of Klutch Sports Group, which is led by famed super-agent Rich Paul and represents both James and Davis, as well as Jarred Vanderbilt. The two agencies’ relationship has always been strained.
According to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, Paul and former CAA partner Leon Rose, who is now the president of the New York Knicks, met on February 2 to resolve their issues.
That might be significant given the uncertainty surrounding James’ future.
The competing agencies’ particular rivalry began when Paul left CAA and took James with him in 2012. James had been Rose’s client since 2005. However, the Lakers star and Paul were friends and business collaborators before the former joined the league in 2003.
