Durant is out of contract at the end of the season but his recent jibes at LeBron James suggest he is not interested in a move to the Lakers.
So Fred Robledo, sports editor for the Southern California Newspaper Group, has offered a stunning alternative to land the small forward.
He claims the Lakers could offer James, who penned a four-year contract this summer, in exchange for Durant.
It is highly unlikely Magic Johnson would want to part ways with the man he spent so many hours trying to hire.
But ditching James could open to door for potential superstar acquisitions of Kawhi Leonard or Anthony Davis.
“If the Lakers can’t trade for Anthony Davis and LeBron James keeps persisting they do I’ve got a solution,” Robledo wrote on Twitter.
“Trade LeBron James for Kevin Durant.
“If GState thinks Durant is walking at the end of the season, wouldn’t they take James who’s locked in for a few more years?
“A trade for a younger Durant would still leave the Lakers in a situation to add another star in free agency?
“Would Kawhi rather come to the Lakers if Durant was there instead of James?
“And would a trade for Durant beat the Clippers to the free agent punch?
“And wouldn’t this be the ultimate challenge for Durant? He would have his own team, be the clear star and a chance to beat Golden State with LeBron?
“Hey, just throwing it out there…”
However, it is highly unlikely James and Durant will swap places for the 2019/20 season.
Instead, the Lakers have the budget to bolster their ranks with at least one blockbuster signing next summer.
Source: “Los Angeles” – Google News