Where do the Lakers go from here...?

[Mecca]

Which makes me think that the best possible team for LeBron to join for His legacy isn't Cleveland. It isn't Philly or LA or even Houston.

Expectations in any of those cities would be to win a championship, and they still wouldn't be as good the Warriors unless the same team got Kawhi and LeBron. Not winning in Philly or Houston would be viewed as failure and could even slightly harm his legacy.

One possibility would have minimal expectations.

The New York Knicks.

LeBron could prove once and for all what i already believe. That he can elevate a sub 30 win team to contender status. He would gain serious points if he got them to the Finals, and it wouldn't matter if he still lost to GS, which is highly probable no matter where he plays.

I do not think there is any chance he goes to NY. But I do think it would do most for his legacy with the least amount of risk.

Yeah, like you said, that's not happening.

My long shot, dark horse would be the Spurs.

But, there would definitely be expectations there too.

In all honesty, there isn't a Organisation that he could join that wouldn't have those expectations.

Obviously, a team like the Suns or Brooklyn ...the expectations would be tempered.

But, they would still be there by virtue of him being the best player on the planet.

 

[Mecca]

I agree. There's no way he's satisfied with that result.

I do think some will try to build it up like he really did something, but most understand that it says more about the East than about Lebron. He's not dragging that roster very far in the West.

Even if they manage to make it a tough 6 or 7 game series, I don't think he'll be satisfied, but it would greatly increase the chances he stays.

But if they lose in ECF or get run over in the finals, I think he's gone because they don't really look to have much way to close the gap.

I don't see them losing before the finals.

So, it will be interesting to see what he does.

If they luck into a top 3 pick, I think that's great bait for a team looking to rid themselves of a big contract.

* Conley, Gasol, Derozan for example purposes *

Would Toronto trade Derozan to the Cavs?

Probably not.

* especially when they might have to eat a deal like Tristan's too*

But, I didn't think the Cavs would be dumb enough to trade Kyrie to a conference rival either.

 

[trojanfan12]

Which makes me think that the best possible team for LeBron to join for His legacy isn't Cleveland. It isn't Philly or LA or even Houston.

Expectations in any of those cities would be to win a championship, and they still wouldn't be as good the Warriors unless the same team got Kawhi and LeBron. Not winning in Philly or Houston would be viewed as failure and could even slightly harm his legacy.

I disagree. I think he makes any of those teams contenders and probably puts Houston over the top unless he, CP3 and Harden can't figure out how to play well together comfortably.

Although, they'd likely have to deplete their bench to bring him in and if they don't get good enough guys on the cheap, they could be very thin.

In Philly, he would be seen as leading a young team to or very near the top. The only real problems I see for him in Philly is they need another knockdown 3 point shooter more than anything else.

In LA, I think he and PG can make them a contender in 1-1.5 years.

You also have to remember that the Warriors may only have a season or 2 left before they're going to have to make some tough cap related decisions.

The New York Knicks.

LeBron could prove once and for all what i already believe. That he can elevate a sub 30 win team to contender status. He would gain serious points if he got them to the Finals, and it wouldn't matter if he still lost to GS, which is highly probable no matter where he plays.

I do not think there is any chance he goes to NY. But I do think it would do most for his legacy with the least amount of risk.

I think that if he thought Porzingis could stay healthy, he might give the Knicks some real thought. But I think you're right, no way he goes there.

 

[trojanfan12]

I don't see them losing before the finals.

So, it will be interesting to see what he does.

If they luck into a top 3 pick, I think that's great bait for a team looking to rid themselves of a big contract.

* Conley, Gasol, Derozan for example purposes *

Would Toronto trade Derozan to the Cavs?

Probably not.

* especially when they might have to eat a deal like Tristan's too*

But, I didn't think the Cavs would be dumb enough to trade Kyrie to a conference rival either.

Yeah, I think the Celtics are too depleted for the way Lebron is playing. I think Stevens will come up with some tweaks to make it tough, but they're just missing too much to win the series.

To be fair though, I thought they were missing too much to beat the Sixers soooo....

 

[Mecca]

Yeah, I think the Celtics are too depleted for the way Lebron is playing. I think Stevens will come up with some tweaks to make it tough, but they're just missing too much to win the series.

To be fair though, I thought they were missing too much to beat the Sixers soooo....

Yeah, my retarded belief in Lebronto and utter dismissal of the Celtics has gone totally tilts up this postseason.

 

[Rambunctious]

The Lakers would be making a huge mistake to bring in James. Lebron would not be an asset long term or short term. The Lakers fans want to see the Lakers back on top but not by bringing in an overpriced ringer.
We want to see a team rebuild and I know I'm going to catch hell for this but I'd like to see them hire a real Basketball coach not one of their former players. Haven't they learned anything?
Okay let me have it.

 

[trojanfan12]

The Lakers would be making a huge mistake to bring in James. Lebron would not be an asset long term or short term. The Lakers fans want to see the Lakers back on top but not by bringing in an overpriced ringer.
We want to see a team rebuild and I know I'm going to catch hell for this but I'd like to see them hire a real Basketball coach not one of their former players. Haven't they learned anything?
Okay let me have it.

Luke is a real basketball coach. He's considered one of the better young coaches in the league. Plus, the players love him and play hard for him.

You're probably literally the only person who thinks he should be replaced.

 

[Mecca]

The Lakers would be making a huge mistake to bring in James. Lebron would not be an asset long term or short term. The Lakers fans want to see the Lakers back on top but not by bringing in an overpriced ringer.
We want to see a team rebuild and I know I'm going to catch hell for this but I'd like to see them hire a real Basketball coach not one of their former players. Haven't they learned anything?
Okay let me have it.

@ChiefsLakers67 hacking accounts again?

There couldn't possibly be two of you, could it?

 

[Mecca]

Luke is a real basketball coach. He's considered one of the better young coaches in the league. Plus, the players love him and play hard for him.

You're probably literally the only person who thinks he should be replaced.

Negative, Ghost Rider.

There is another....

Ps. He's back at it!!!!!

Lakers News: LaVar Ball says Lonzo Ball is already a better player than Kawhi Leonard

 

[Mecca]

This Dude is doing his damnest to scratch every free agent prospect off the Lakers list.

Better than Kawhi?

Lmfao

I'm sure Kawhi's people are just loving this if they really wanted him to land there.

LaVar Ball says Kawhi Leonard isn't a better player than son Lonzo

 

[Retroram52]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers land DeRozan and PG this summer and LeBron finishes his career in Cleveland.

 

[Mecca]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Lakers land DeRozan and PG this summer and LeBron finishes his career in Cleveland.

Who you trading for Demar?

I actually like that scenario for you guys.

But, 30 mil plus for both those guys is crippling.

 

[Black Adam]

@ChiefsLakers67 hacking accounts again?

There couldn't possibly be two of you, could it?

nope. I think Luke's doing a good job...

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Interesting point made by Doug Gottlieb on Cowherd just now.

He says that he thinks Lebron ends up on the Lakers.

However, he also said that if Lebron drags this roster to the finals, especially with all of the turmoil they've had, the accolades he'll receive will be that it's the same as winning a title.

He said, it's not the same and he doubts it would satisfy Lebron, but that it may give him second thoughts.

Its not the same.
Short term, yes, people might think its an a complishment.
Over time, memories fade and then people just see W’s or L’s.

 

[Retroram52]

Yep that is the guy. We still have not done anything with Randle and DeRozan has quietly wanted to return home to LA. If they don't re-sign Randle, the Lakers would be able to handle DeRozan and PG salary-wise.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

If the Lakers fail to sign any free agents then the future's kind of bleak. Best case scenario Ingram, Ball, Kuzma, Randle all reach their ceiling and maybe compete and probably lose to the Warriors. In today's NBA you need to tip the scales, you can't really sit on your hands unless you're aiming for depth like the Raptors. We kind of saw how that turned out when they faced LeBron.

Need to sign a LeBron or Paul George, otherwise it will be dark seasons ahead with Houston and Golden State at the top. Doesn't make sense for LeBron really, why face your toughest opponents in the conference semi's when you can stay in the East and roll the dice in the Finals. Unless he's aiming to get his jersey retired by 3 different franchises.

 

[TurnUpTheHeat]

Yeah, I think the Celtics are too depleted for the way Lebron is playing. I think Stevens will come up with some tweaks to make it tough, but they're just missing too much to win the series.

To be fair though, I thought they were missing too much to beat the Sixers soooo....

It Cavs had homecourt advantage, nobody would pick Boston.
Problem is, James will win a (at least) road game every series until he plays the Warriors like last year.

 

[WiggyRuss]

How do you figure that the Lakers have struck out for 17 years in a row now? Have you already forgot that the Lakers won NBA championships in 2009 and 2010? That was 10 years ago and that is not striking out. Some teams haven done that in 50 years.

Oops, I didn't mean to talk about the Cavaliers like that - One championship in 50 years or since their existence and you have dissing the Lakers who have 17 titles to the Cavaliers ONE?

i apologize for the hyerbole--- i really probably- if you are talking strictly looking at it-- the past 3-5 years that they have been actively trying to play the free agent markethave they struck out.

Although- if we are going to be completely honest and look broad spectrum the last time the Lakers signed a big time free agent was Shaq about 2 decades ago.



Sign Cousins, resign Randle, wait for Deng to be an expiring contract to only have 1 more year left and move him with Kuzma as the sweetener. Then sign Klay.....get a solid lotto pick next year while waiting for the kids and letting Cousins get healthy.

PG- Ball
SG- Klay
SF- Ingram
PF- Randle
C- Cousins

Bench- lotto player x, some vet min. guys...maybe even enough to bring back IT to be a 6th man type dude....who knows

thats what i would try and do if i were the Lakers unless I could get LeBron....if i could get LeBron id sell off everything and win now becuase thats what you do when you have a top 2 player of all time.

 

[Retroram52]

True, OutlawImmortal as always!!

 

[Retroram52]

Don't like any moves that involves Kuzma, Wiggy. And Cousins' rehab is progressing at a normal pace but unless you are Kobe, Cousins isn't going to be at the same level for at least another year if he ever gets back to the level of his pre-achilles tear. I would not trade anybody of whom you named for Cousins.

 

[Black Adam]

Negative, Ghost Rider.

There is another....

Ps. He's back at it!!!!!

Lakers News: LaVar Ball says Lonzo Ball is already a better player than Kawhi Leonard

#getthefugginmuzzle