NBA Trade: Los Angeles Lakers Predicted to Land $240 Million Utah Jazz Superstar to Support LeBron James and Luka Doncic in Title Push

The Los Angeles Lakers have already made one of the boldest moves in recent memory, securing Luka Dončić in a blockbuster trade earlier this year to form a new dynamic duo with LeBron James. Now, new reports suggest the Lakers might not be done. According to speculation, Los Angeles is predicted to pursue a Utah Jazz superstar with a contract worth roughly $240 million, creating a potential “big three” to push for another championship run.

While the rumors are still in the early stages, the idea of the Lakers pairing James, Dončić, and another All-NBA level talent has captured the imagination of fans across the league. But how realistic is such a move, and what would it mean for the future of both the Lakers and the Jazz?

A Franchise Always Thinking Big

The Lakers have never been a franchise content with standing pat. From Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1970s to Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant in the 2000s to LeBron James and Anthony Davis in 2019, the team’s front office has a long history of going all-in for generational superstars.

This summer’s acquisition of Luka Dončić, completed in a massive deal with the Dallas Mavericks, reaffirmed that identity. The Lakers not only landed a top-five player in the world but also signed him to a three-year, $165 million max extension. Dončić now forms the backbone of the team’s present and future alongside the still-dominant LeBron James, who, even at 40 years old, continues to play at an All-NBA level.

Adding a third superstar would be in line with the Lakers’ DNA: never satisfied, always swinging for the fences.

Who Is the $240 Million Superstar?

The rumors specifically point to a Utah Jazz player with a deal approaching $240 million. While the report stops short of naming names, there are only a handful of players in the league with contracts of that magnitude.

The Jazz are in an interesting position. After trading Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in 2022, the team has been stuck between a rebuild and retooling, developing young talent while keeping a few high-value veterans. If the front office believes the current roster isn’t close to contending, they might consider moving a star for a king’s ransom in draft picks and young players.

For the Lakers, that kind of acquisition would be about more than just stacking talent—it would be about ensuring LeBron’s final years are spent chasing championships and giving Dončić the support he needs to flourish in Los Angeles.

The Challenges: Salary Cap and Trade Logistics

The biggest obstacle is financial. The Lakers already have massive salaries tied up in LeBron, Dončić, and their supporting cast. Bringing in another contract worth $240 million would require creative maneuvering and almost certainly a multi-team trade.

NBA rules require that teams match salaries in trades within a certain percentage. That means Los Angeles would need to send out significant contracts—potentially involving players like Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, or D’Angelo Russell—along with future draft picks. Reports suggest that a third team, possibly the Miami Heat, could be involved to balance the trade math.

Even if the Lakers pulled it off, the financial implications would be staggering. The new collective bargaining agreement imposes steep penalties on teams that exceed the second luxury-tax apron, limiting their flexibility to sign free agents or trade for additional help. Essentially, Los Angeles would be betting its entire future on a three-star core.

Fit on the Court: Can Three Stars Coexist?

The basketball fit is another question mark. Dončić and James are both ball-dominant playmakers who thrive with the ball in their hands. Adding another superstar would require careful integration to ensure roles don’t overlap.

That said, history shows that star power often wins out. The Miami Heat’s “Big Three” of LeBron, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh initially struggled to balance their games but eventually reached four straight NBA Finals. Similarly, the Golden State Warriors found a way to incorporate Kevin Durant into a team that already had Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

If the Lakers’ coaching staff can establish chemistry, a trio of Dončić, LeBron, and a Jazz superstar could become the league’s most feared unit.

What It Means for the Jazz

For Utah, losing a franchise cornerstone would mark the beginning of a new era. But the return package could set them up for years to come. The Jazz already possess a treasure chest of draft picks from previous trades, and adding more picks along with promising young Lakers players could accelerate their rebuild.

From a financial perspective, moving a $240 million contract could also give Utah more flexibility to develop around its younger core. In the NBA, sometimes the decision to trade a superstar is less about talent and more about timing and long-term sustainability.

A Gamble Worth Taking?

For the Lakers, the pursuit of another superstar is both thrilling and risky. On one hand, it would create a roster with unmatched star power, capable of competing with any team in the league. On the other, it would lock the franchise into a financially restrictive situation for years, with little flexibility if injuries or chemistry issues arise.

Yet, given the Lakers’ history and their current trajectory, it’s not surprising that such rumors are gaining steam. With LeBron James nearing the twilight of his legendary career, Los Angeles knows the window to win is now. Adding another superstar alongside Dončić might just be the final piece to deliver banner number 18 to the rafters of Crypto.com Arena.

Final Word

At this stage, the rumor remains just that—a rumor. There are no guarantees that the Jazz are willing to part with their star, nor that the Lakers can put together a competitive trade package under the league’s strict salary rules. Still, the very idea underscores how aggressively Los Angeles is pursuing its championship ambitions.

Whether the trade ever happens or not, one thing is clear: the Lakers are all-in on maximizing the final years of LeBron James and ensuring that Luka Dončić has every possible chance to cement his legacy in purple and gold.