Lebron's most likely destination in 2018-2019

[trojanfan12]

if LeBron goes to LA or the Sixers- its guaranteed that you will see the vast majority of young players dealt for win now players

a 34 year old lebron is not wasting his last prime years teaching young guys

he wasnt willing to do that at the age of 29 with Wiggins. at the age of 34? no chance in hell.

I disagree. Circumstances are different now.

 

[tlance]

I disagree. Circumstances are different now.

Also, Ball isn't Wiggins. I think LeBron legitimately wants to play with this kid. He is also smart enough to know that Magic isn't dealing Ball, unless he flops miserably in year 1. I don't think he will.

 

[trojanfan12]

Also, Ball isn't Wiggins. I think LeBron legitimately wants to play with this kid. He is also smart enough to know that Magic isn't dealing Ball, unless he flops miserably in year 1. I don't think he will.

Agree. If Ball does flop, Lebron won't be coming anyway and it's doubtful that they'd be able to trade him for anything significant.

Back when Lebron returned to the Cavs, the Warriors didn't have KD and the Cavs had a legit shot at winning titles.

Now, there really doesn't seem to be any way to improve any team enough to win now vs. the Warriors.

Also, the Lakers have made it very clear that Ingram and Ball are untouchable. They had plenty of opportunities to go into "win now mode" by trading them for veteran players and signing other FA's. They resisted.

I just don't see them working as hard as they did to keep the young core intact (specifically Ingram and Ball) and only offering 1 year deals to FA's just so they can remake the roster in the off-season to appease Lebron. Not when they can keep doing what they have been and likely be in a position to compete with the Warriors in 2-3 years whether Lebron joins them or not.

 

[thunderc]

The days of people worrying about what Lebron wants to do are starting to wind down. He's still a great player, but Father time is undefeated. I won't be upset to hear his name less, that's for sure.

 

[trojanfan12]

The days of people worrying about what Lebron wants to do are starting to wind down. He's still a great player, but Father time is undefeated. I won't be upset to hear his name less, that's for sure.

Agree. He's much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. He's still a guaranteed deep playoff run, but he isn't a long term guarantee of deep playoff runs like he was a few years ago.

Teams will still want him, but I think that there are very few, if any, teams that will sacrifice their future to remake their rosters for him and win now.

 

[Mecca]

I disagree. Circumstances are different now.

The writing is already on the wall for LeBron.

I won't be surprised if he doesn't win another championship and he shouldn't be either.

Now that winning it all is off the table, being comfortable, his family being happy should be his next priority.

Why be miserable on and off the court in Cleveland?

 

[trojanfan12]

The writing is already on the wall for LeBron.

I won't be surprised if he doesn't win another championship and he shouldn't be either.

Now that winning it all is off the table, being comfortable, his family being happy should be his next priority.

Why be miserable on and off the court in Cleveland?

Agree.

I think he can still be a big part of a title winning team, but it won't be with him doing the amount of heavy lifting that he has been doing.

That's why I think he looks to go to a younger team. He and another top FA could go to a team like the Sixers or Lakers, help develop their young players for a season or 2 and then possibly grab another ring or 2 before he retires.

Worst case, as you point out, he spends the remainder of his career someplace where he and his family are comfortable and happy.

 

[Mecca]

Agree.

I think he can still be a big part of a title winning team, but it won't be with him doing the amount of heavy lifting that he has been doing.

That's why I think he looks to go to a younger team. He and another top FA could go to a team like the Sixers or Lakers, help develop their young players for a season or 2 and then possibly grab another ring or 2 before he retires.

Worst case, as you point out, he spends the remainder of his career someplace where he and his family are comfortable and happy.

My biggest doubt about him winning again would be the type of combination of talent it would take to dethrone the Warriors.

What other free agent addition could they make to tip the scales?

Add LeBron and George to the current Lakers, does that trump the 4 headed monster in Golden State? LeBron and Boogie?

It would likely take 2 other max players and to do that you would have to sacrifice several young guys......UNLESS ......

Ball and Ingram take a GIGANTIC step this Season.

As for the Sixers, if their key guys can stay healthy, they could be a real problem.

Fultz and Redick will be able to spread the floor for Embiid and Simmons.

But, that's about as likely as the Clippers staying healthy.

 

[trojanfan12]

Add LeBron and George to the current Lakers, does that trump the 4 headed monster in Golden State?

Immediately? No. But in a couple of years, with the sped up development that having Lebron and PG could provide the youngsters, I think you could make a case that the Lakers could be a real threat in a season or 2.

With the length that Lonzo, Ingram, Lebron and PG have (not to mention Nance and even Randle) you would have a team that could be a real headache for the Warriors because they could switch everything defensively.

 

[Mecca]

Immediately? No. But in a couple of years, with the sped up development that having Lebron and PG could provide the youngsters, I think you could make a case that the Lakers could be a real threat in a season or 2.

With the length that Lonzo, Ingram, Lebron and PG have (not to mention Nance and even Randle) you would have a team that could be a real headache for the Warriors because they could switch everything defensively.

Don't you have to lose Randle to get Lebron and George?

Is renouncing both Brook and KCP enough to sign both or would somebody have to take a discount?

Plus, most of those Warrior players will still be in their prime and Lebron will be on the other Side of his in a couple of years.

I also don't like his fit with the Lakers if he takes the Ball out of Lonzo's hands.

Obviously, if you can get him you do it. But, one or both would have to adjust. Lonzo would need to work on that shot or Lebron would have to keep his ass in the post more and not be so Ball dominant.

Eventually, the Warriors probably lose Klay or Dray and that will close the gap.

But, I thought the same thing this summer and it didn't happen.

I have a feeling that Cousins is going to be the guy you get this Summer.

 

[trojanfan12]

Don't you have to lose Randle to get Lebron and George?

Probably. Either him or Clarkson. I think it depends on whether or not they can trade Deng's contract (removing all of it from the books) or have to stretch him (which I think leaves about $6 mil on the books). I could be completely wrong though. I'm not that up to speed on the cap and I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. lol

Is renouncing both Brook and KCP enough to sign both or would somebody have to take a discount?

Not sure. I think I heard they'd have to take a discount.

Plus, most of those Warrior players will still be in their prime and Lebron will be on the other Side of his in a couple of years.

I also don't like his fit with the Lakers if he takes the Ball out of Lonzo's hands.

This is where I think the "big part of, but not doing all of the heavy lifting" comes in. I think he'd still have a big role. But he would be able to play off the ball rather than have to run the show.

It makes me wonder too, if that is part of why he seems to like Lonzo? If he's looking to have a smaller workload, being teamed up with a very good, pass first point guard would seem like a good thing.

I have a feeling that Cousins is going to be the guy you get this Summer.

From a talent perspective, I'd love for him to be a Laker. From a maturity/head case perspective...I don't want him anywhere near these kids.

 

[msgkings322]

Agree. He's much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. He's still a guaranteed deep playoff run, but he isn't a long term guarantee of deep playoff runs like he was a few years ago.

Teams will still want him, but I think that there are very few, if any, teams that will sacrifice their future to remake their rosters for him and win now.

When he leaves the Cavs, it will be the first time in his career where he's not the no doubt best player in the league, maybe even on his own team. Especially if he goes to a team where they have a title shot, which is almost guaranteed to be the case.

 

[DrewScott]

bold prediction...he goes back to Miami and so does dwayne Wade for one more run. Teams up with Whiteside, Dragic and a great cast of role players who play good defense. That team makes it to the finals.

 

[ChrisperJ10]

Lol He's going to the Lakers to end his career...

 

[trojanfan12]

When he leaves the Cavs, it will be the first time in his career where he's not the no doubt best player in the league, maybe even on his own team. Especially if he goes to a team where they have a title shot, which is almost guaranteed to be the case.

I don't necessarily agree that going to a team with a title shot is almost guaranteed at all. I could be wrong, because I don't know every teams cap situation...but I don't think there's a contending team that can get him in under the cap. At least not without giving up at least some of what makes them a contender.

 

[DJ]

Its just hard for me to believe- that - if next summer LeBron goes to LA- he will turn 34 that December.

Will a 34 year old LeBron tie himself to a 20 year old Ball and a 20 year old Ingram? That just doesnt seem to be his MO- he would prob insist at least one of those guys is traded for veteran help- if not both- and I dont see the Lakers really wanting to do that unless the opportunity was perfect.

If the Cavs just resigned LeBron for 1-2 more years- and then he left at the age of 35, 36....I would definitely take a combined between 11-12 years of LeBron on the Cavs. To be honest that might be in some ways preferable than giving LeBron a super max into his 40s

I would have a lot more confidence in the future though if Griffin was here. I thought he was a great GM.


its hard for me to believe that a 34 year old LeBron would hitch his wagon and his last couple really productive years to two 20 year olds.


now- if Paul George signs and the Thunder say--- take Westbrook for Ball, Nance and Clarkson? well that is a different story.

1-LeBron is all about his post playing career......He wants to be an owner. What better way then to go finish his career and pic Magic's brain on a daily basis?

2-The Lakers have enough for 2 max deals (I think they need to dump Deng though) and can afford James and PG. Adding James and PG (or another FA) to their nucleus? They'd be instantly a top 3 team in the WC.

 

[DJ]

curious

Lakers fans,

If LeBron coming meant trading Ingram and or Ball to put immediate veteran help around him. would you want to do it?

Or would you want to continue slow and steady with the youth movement?

No......and I don't think James wants that. James and Ball have both complimented each other.

 

[DJ]

There is supposedly an e-mail containing the n-word that Dan Gilbert was sending to someone else, but accidentally included someone in Lebron's camp.

The rumor is that Lebron has told Woj about it, but has asked him to sit on it until he is ready for it to be released, ostensibly at the end of the season when Lebron is wanting to leave as an FA. Theory is, this would allow Lebron to leave the Cavs and not have Cavs fans lose their shit on him when he does. They'll be focused on hating Gilbert instead.

Don't know how much, if any, truth there is to it. If it's true, having Woj sit on it until after the season, fits Lebron's passive/aggressive nature, provides cover if he leaves and pretty much drops a nuclear bomb on Dan Gilbert.

Racist e-mail or not, between Gilbert letting Griffin go (apparently just as he was about to seal a trade for Jimmy Butler), Kyrie saying he doesn't want to play with Lebron anymore and Lebron expressing frustration at the Cavs off-season...something has gone sideways in Cleveland.

@TJL gets the credit for that......or the shame for it.

I tend to think that it's legit.....it would explain the things happening in Cleveland right now imo.

 

[DJ]

There are a few reasons I could see it happening.

First off, Lebron is a lot of things, but stupid isn't one of them. He knows that there is no way for him to go to any team and have that team have a shot at taking down the Warriors. Any team with the cap space to get him is unlikely to have the other necessary parts to beat the Warriors, and if there is a sign and trade, any team that woulds trade for him would have to give up too much.

He may think that his best option is a young team that is 2-3 years away. The Lakers (and a couple of others) fit that description. If he were to go, for example, to the Lakers, he would have a season or 2 to help develop the youngsters, get them some playoff experience and then be serious contenders in a couple of seasons, with Lebron not having to do as much of the heavy lifting as he has for his entire career. This is why I don't think he would demand that Ingram, Ball or pretty much anyone else be traded for vets. I also don't think the Lakers would agree to that.

Also, as I've posted before, Lebron's legacy is extremely important to him. Getting some credit for returning a storied franchise back to contender status would be a nice addition.

Then, there are the non-basketball reasons. Lebron is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning and may be planning for life after basketball which seems to include relocating to LA. He may want to spend a little time playing for the city he is supposedly looking to live in and establish business in after he retires.

End of the day though, it's all speculation and only Lebron knows what he's going to do.

Eloquently said and better than I could muster.....

DAMN YOU!!!!

 

[trojanfan12]

curious

Lakers fans,

If LeBron coming meant trading Ingram and or Ball to put immediate veteran help around him. would you want to do it?

Or would you want to continue slow and steady with the youth movement?

No. If we were talking about a 28 or 29 year old Lebron, or if the fans were all losing their minds over not having been to the playoffs for 3-4 years, then yes.

But the Lakers have a good young core that can be built around and the fans are being patient and enjoying watching the kids develop.

If Lebron wants to come in and remake the roster to try and take a run at the Warriors now, then I say pass on him and look to sign someone else. Or, just hang on to the cap space, let the kids develop another season (maybe making the playoffs) and then go after someone else in the next off season.