In one of the more unusual NBA trade pitches, Bill Simmons from The Ringer proposed a hypothetical scenario where LeBron James is traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Paul George. Simmons floated this idea during his May 15, 2024 podcast, suggesting that such a trade would allow James to stay in Los Angeles while George would join the Lakers.

“Has anyone thrown out the Paul George for LeBron trade where LeBron gets to stay in LA and Paul George goes to the Lakers?” Simmons speculated. “That’s kind of a fun trade though, right? I just don’t know if LeBron would ever play for the Clippers.”

However, there are several factors that make this trade unlikely. Both James and George have player options that could allow them to become free agents this offseason. For the trade to work, both players would need to opt into the final year of their current contracts rather than hitting free agency. An alternative, though less likely, option would be a double sign-and-trade if both players chose to become free agents.

From the Lakers’ perspective, trading one of the greatest players of all time for George may not be appealing. Despite George being a talented player, the trade might not significantly enhance the Lakers’ chances of becoming a contender. Conversely, the Clippers could benefit from adding James, especially with the upcoming opening of their new arena, making it a potentially savvy business move for owner Steve Ballmer.

All indications suggest that the Lakers want James to return and are willing to be flexible with his next contract. The Athletic reported that the Lakers are open to offering James a maximum three-year, $164 million extension. Additionally, the Lakers are also willing to draft James’ son, Bronny, which could serve as another incentive for James to stay.

James is set to earn $51.4 million next season as part of his two-year, $99 million contract unless he opts out. Meanwhile, George has a $48.7 million salary for the 2024-25 season if he chooses to play the final year of his four-year, $176.2 million contract.

Ultimately, while the idea of trading LeBron James for Paul George might be an interesting thought exercise, it seems improbable given the various logistical and strategic factors involved.