The Lakers had pulled off a blockbuster trade, sending Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick to Dallas in exchange for Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, and Markieff Morris. A stunning, seismic move no one saw coming. And LeBron James is its biggest winner — whether he stays in L.A. or joins a superteam in Dallas.

The thing is, James holds all the cards. He has one of those rare NBA no-trade clauses, along with a 15 percent trade kicker, so he’d get a huge amount of money if dealt. Maybe there’s a way to waive that if it means James gets another shot at a ring?