Let's say LeBron does not sign the extension and the Lakers continue to experience AD injuries and Westbrook diminishing skills. At the halfway point next season the Lakers are back in 11th place, right where they ended up last season. Would they be motivated to trade LeBron or let him play out the rest of the season, missing the playoffs, and then letting him potentially sign elsewhere with no compensation?
Duh.
Meanwhile, the Cavs, with better injury luck next year, are in 2nd-5th place in the East. This is not unrealistic. At the All-Star break last year they were 29-19 and 1.5 games out of first.
How about trading Love (to balance the money), Okoro, and our 2024 first round pick (which will be very late in the round), for the last 40 games of LeBron's 2023 season?
We get LeBron right when Rubio is coming back. Instant Championship.
The Lakers get Okoro (or Wade, Windler, or Stevens, whoever they prefer) and a late first for 40 games of LeBron in a non-playoff season.