Shocking Trade Proposal Sends LeBron James and Bronny to Denver Nuggets in Blockbuster That Could Shake the Entire NBA Landscape
This WILD trade proposal from Dan Favale sees LeBron James and Bronny James shipped off to the Denver Nuggets, and it has the entire basketball world reeling. It’s the kind of scenario that feels ripped straight from a 2K fantasy rebuild—a trade so bold, so unprecedented, that you almost have to double-check if it’s satire. But no, this was a real idea floated in a legitimate national outlet by an NBA analyst who’s earned a reputation for thinking outside the box. And this time, he might’ve gone all the way into a parallel universe.
The deal? According to Favale’s framework, the Los Angeles Lakers would send LeBron and Bronny to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a massive haul of players and draft capital. The idea, on the surface, sounds sacrilegious. Trading the face of the league? The most iconic player of his generation? And his son, just drafted into the league under the most media-frenzied circumstances possible? To the reigning champions? It sounds wild because it is.
But let’s unpack it.
From Denver’s perspective, adding LeBron James—yes, even at age 40—would be a monumental shift. They’re already one of the most complete, well-coached teams in the NBA, led by Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and a deep supporting cast. But the idea of pairing LeBron’s basketball IQ, versatility, and leadership with the unique brilliance of Jokić is intoxicating. It’s not just adding a superstar—it’s adding the greatest basketball mind of the era to a team that thrives on movement, unselfishness, and cerebral execution.
Imagine the passing possibilities. LeBron operating as a point forward with Jokić as his partner in pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop actions? Or Bronny flying around as an energetic two-way piece learning under that structure? The basketball fit, crazy as it sounds, isn’t that far-fetched. Denver wouldn’t need LeBron to carry a full scoring load. They’d need his experience, his playmaking, and his presence in key playoff moments. And Bronny? In a development-first system like Denver’s, he’d have a much smoother NBA transition with less pressure and more opportunity to grow behind proven veterans.
Of course, a trade of this magnitude doesn’t happen without sacrifice. The Nuggets would likely have to part with significant assets—possibly Michael Porter Jr., Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, future draft picks, and other rotational pieces. That’s the cost of acquiring two players named James. And while some Nuggets fans would balk at losing young talent, the lure of adding one of the greatest players of all time—plus the media and market explosion it would bring—is hard to ignore.
From the Lakers’ point of view, the idea of trading LeBron is almost unthinkable. But as Favale points out, this version of the Lakers is at a crossroads. With LeBron nearing the end of his career and Bronny just beginning his, there’s a narrow timeline to build a true contender. If the team underperforms or treads water in the standings, would it make sense to pivot—retool with young, talented wings and stockpile assets for the post-LeBron era? It’s painful to imagine, but not illogical.
Losing LeBron would gut the Lakers emotionally and financially—he’s the face of the franchise, the centerpiece of the brand. Bronny’s presence only amplifies that connection. But this is the NBA, and sentiment rarely trumps strategy. If Rob Pelinka and the front office felt they could reset with young, controllable pieces who fit the team’s future timeline, it’s a scenario worth at least discussing. Trading LeBron and Bronny in one package, however, would be the biggest trade of the modern NBA—by name recognition, by impact, by media ripple.
There’s also the Bronny factor. His draft selection by the Lakers was one of the most polarizing moments of the offseason. Some saw it as a family storybook moment—father and son on the same NBA team. Others questioned whether Bronny was ready and whether the Lakers used their pick more as a gesture than a long-term investment. Sending him to Denver in a package for LeBron flips that script on its head: the idea being that both could succeed better in an organization with patience, continuity, and championship infrastructure.
What makes the proposal even more tantalizing is the idea of LeBron chasing one last ring in a new setting. He’s won in Miami, Cleveland, and Los Angeles. Adding Denver to that list would be a legacy-defining move. It would cement his case not just as an all-time talent but as the most adaptable winner in league history. Think about the optics: the King helping a defending champ repeat, proving he can mesh with anyone, in any system, at any age.
Of course, there’s a long list of “buts” and “what ifs” here. Would LeBron waive his no-trade clause (if applicable) or support a move out of L.A., where he’s built an empire? Would the Nuggets really break up a championship roster for a 40-year-old and a raw rookie? Would Bronny feel comfortable outside his father’s orbit, or would he finally find his own path in a less pressurized market?
Then there’s the cap gymnastics. Fitting LeBron’s salary into Denver’s books would require moving multiple rotation players, perhaps even involving a third team to balance salaries and sweeten the return for L.A. It wouldn’t be easy. It might not be realistic. But that’s part of what makes the proposal so fascinating—its very improbability is what fuels conversation. It’s the kind of idea that forces teams to reconsider identity, timing, and ambition.
One thing is certain: the NBA has never seen a father-son trade quite like this. The storylines alone would dominate every news cycle. LeBron in Denver would instantly turn them into the most watched team in the league, while the Lakers would enter a dramatic new era focused on youth and transition. Bronny in a Nuggets jersey learning the ropes under veterans like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Aaron Gordon would be a storyline in itself—one that removes the pressure cooker of L.A. expectations and allows him to carve out his own identity.
Dan Favale is known for bold trade scenarios, and this one may top them all. It’s not just headline-grabbing; it’s plausible enough to make you think, but insane enough to remember. In a league where stars move more freely than ever, nothing is truly off the table anymore. And that’s why proposals like this matter. They push the boundaries of imagination, challenge assumptions, and spotlight how even the most legendary careers could take an unexpected turn.
As the offseason unfolds, no one expects this trade to happen tomorrow—or even at all. But the mere fact that it’s being talked about in serious circles says everything about where the NBA is right now. LeBron isn’t just a player; he’s a franchise unto himself. Bronny isn’t just a rookie; he’s part of a larger narrative that’s still unfolding. And the Denver Nuggets, already champions, just might be bold enough to consider what most wouldn’t even dare to dream.
So, wild as it is, this trade idea has done what all great hypotheticals are meant to do: spark debate, ignite imagination, and blur the lines between fantasy and possibility. Could it happen? Maybe not. But would it shake the very core of the NBA if it did? Absolutely.
And that’s why people can’t stop talking about it.
