The Los Angeles Lakers’ 40-year-old superstar has been involved in trade rumors since his agent, Rich Paul, made revealing comments following his client’s $52.6 million contract decision (he opted in).

Paul stated that the franchise’s second-leading scorer wants to win another title before he retires and evaluate what’s best for him at this stage of his career.

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The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t a popular trade destination for the four-time NBA champion, but ClutchPoints’ Bailey Bassett still thinks a deal could materialize this summer.

“The Timberwolves have lost in the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons. They need a player who can get them over the hump,” Bassett wrote Sunday.  (LeBron) James has been to the conference finals 12 times, winning 10 of those appearances.”

“He clearly knows what it takes to get to the NBA Finals, which is something the Timberwolves have never done in franchise history. The rumored package for Durant was something along the lines of Rudy Gobert, Donte DiVincenzo, either Terrence Shannon Jr. or Rob Dillingham, and a draft pick.”

“It might cost less to acquire James, considering he is already 40 years old. If that is the case, it could make sense to pair James and Anthony Edwards. The Timberwolves just extended Naz Reid and drafted Joan Beringer in the first round while also bringing back Julius Randle.”

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“They seem ready to move off of Gobert, and it is clear that they coveted another star who can take some of the offensive burden off of Edwards’ shoulders. The Lakers, meanwhile, are desperate for a starting center. Therefore, a trade of James to the Timberwolves could make sense.”

James hasn’t won an NBA title since 2020. After signing with the Lakers in 2018, the expectation was that the four-time NBA Finals MVP would guide the struggling franchise to multiple championships.

Unfortunately, injuries to pivotal assets, coaching miscues, and discouraging postseason play have hindered James and the Lakers from building a dynasty in Los Angeles.

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Even with Luka Doncic, there’s no guarantee that James feels he has the best chance to capture another ring at his current NBA home.

Although the Timberwolves have experienced back-to-back crushing defeats in the Western Conference Finals, the franchise is moving in the right direction with Edwards leading the way.

Could an opportunity to team up with Edwards on a rising Western Conference organization pique James’ interest? Considering the two phenoms have made positive remarks about one another, it would be asinine to suggest it’s an impossible scenario.

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