The reality made most clear by the Los Angeles Lakers trading Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr. for two expiring contracts and first-round draft pick was that the team wants to sign a superstar, presumed to be LeBron James, as a 2018 free agent.
While the team’s on-court fortunes would surely benefit from such a signing, one recent study showed that the city of Los Angeles would benefit off the court as well.
According to data compiled by FormSwift based off of a Harvard study on the economic impact of James’ free agency destinations, Los Angeles would see the fourth-highest benefit of any NBA city if the Lakers managed to sign LeBron.