Lebron's most likely destination in 2018-2019

[DJ]

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.

BS. James isn't gonna tell a legend like Magic what to do. He can tell Griffin and Gilbert, but Magic? You're out of your fucking mind.

 

[DJ]

I think that may be his only play.

But, I also think he is too much of an egomaniac to do it.

But, if the racist email story is true.....he'll sell it. Like Sterling.

 

[trojanfan12]

@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.

It would definitely explain some of the things. But not all of them. For example, it wouldn't explain the Kyrie/Lebron rift.

But it could explain Griffin not returning and it could also explain why Gilbert seems to be no longer willing to cater to Lebron. If he knows Lebron has Woj sitting on that e-mail (or at least that Lebron knows about it) and that Lebron is gone after the season, then he has no need to cater to him anymore.

 

[DJ]

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.

Bingo. They have both gone out of their way to compliment each other.

 

[trojanfan12]

BS. James isn't gonna tell a legend like Magic what to do. He can tell Griffin and Gilbert, but Magic? You're out of your fucking mind.

I agree. I'd add to that it has to do with Lebron's age as well. If we were talking about adding a younger superstar like KD (age 28) or a 28 year old Lebron...then yes, you go into "win now mode" and trade away a young asset likr Ingram and/or Ball because you are looking at 4-5 years of contending and maybe more.

But a 32 year old with only another 2 seasons (maybe 3) as the best in the game? No way.

 

[DJ]

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.

This. I have come around on the kid and think Ingram is gonna have a huge year. Ball will have a solid year, 12-13ppg, 7-8apg, and 5-6rpg. I think that and 33-35 wins convinces James he is the difference. He has an ego, and then they add PG? That would be a good group. Plus, whatever role players James and PG can recruit.

 

[trojanfan12]

This. I have come around on the kid and think Ingram is gonna have a huge year. Ball will have a solid year, 12-13ppg, 7-8apg, and 5-6rpg. I think that and 33-35 wins convinces James he is the difference. He has an ego, and then they add PG? That would be a good group. Plus, whatever role players James and PG can recruit.

Agree. And to be clear, when I talk about not giving up any of the kids, I'm talking specifically about Ingram and Ball. Obviously, I would like to keep all of the young guys, but that likely isn't possible. Plus, what some of those guys bring (especially Clarkson and Randle) can be achieved with guys on smaller deals.

 

[DJ]

Agree. And to be clear, when I talk about not giving up any of the kids, I'm talking specifically about Ingram and Ball. Obviously, I would like to keep all of the young guys, but that likely isn't possible. Plus, what some of those guys bring (especially Clarkson and Randle) can be achieved with guys on smaller deals.

I love Clarkson but yeah....

 

[Wamu]

Agree. And to be clear, when I talk about not giving up any of the kids, I'm talking specifically about Ingram and Ball. Obviously, I would like to keep all of the young guys, but that likely isn't possible. Plus, what some of those guys bring (especially Clarkson and Randle) can be achieved with guys on smaller deals.

If the NBA ever starts having a height requirement IT's in trouble.

 

[trojanfan12]

If the NBA ever starts having a height requirement IT's in trouble.

View attachment 164409

I can see it now.

 

[tlance]

But, if the racist email story is true.....he'll sell it. Like Sterling.

He won't be forced to.

Sterling had a long history of racial issues. Gilbert may be a pompous jerk, but he doesn't have that type of history. If he sells the team, it will be his choice to do so.

 

[DJ]

He won't be forced to.

Sterling had a long history of racial issues. Gilbert may be a pompous jerk, but he doesn't have that type of history. If he sells the team, it will be his choice to do so.

I think Silver will have a different opinion.....

 

[Black Adam]

BS. James isn't gonna tell a legend like Magic what to do. He can tell Griffin and Gilbert, but Magic? You're out of your fucking mind.

CLEARLY WiggityWack thinks Magic's the submissive bitch Dan Gilbert is...

 

[DJ]

CLEARLY WiggityWack thinks Magic's the submissive bitch Dan Gilbert is...

 

[msgkings322]

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.

Two things here. One, as you've said many times correctly, it only takes one player to change a team's status. And secondly, a team can trade young assets and dump contracts and draft picks to win now by getting LeBron. So somewhere is probably a team that can take him and still compete. He can always take less than the max like Durant too.

I'm not saying this is guaranteed, but if his priority is rings, and it probably is, he can surely go to a team on the cusp like the Lakers (potentially, if they get PG too) or the Sixers, or heck could OKC keep PG and RW and find a way to bring him in? Houston? Spurs? Where there's a will...

 

[tlance]

I think Silver will have a different opinion.....

I would be willing to bet anything he won't. Not the same situation at all. It will be enough to vilify Gilbert. That is all.

Sterling systematically utilized racist business practices throughout his entire career. One poor joke is not going to land Gilbert in the same hot water. It very well might impact free agents and their decisions to sign in Cleveland.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

CLEARLY WiggityWack thinks Magic's the submissive bitch Dan Gilbert is...

@WiggyRuss can shut the fuck up

 

[DJ]

I would be willing to bet anything he won't. Not the same situation at all. It will be enough to vilify Gilbert. That is all.

Sterling systematically utilized racist business practices throughout his entire career. One poor joke is not going to land Gilbert in the same hot water. It very well might impact free agents and their decisions to sign in Cleveland.

There's a code of conduct in the NBA I do believe. Pretty sure owners aren't exempt from that. A racist email paints the NBA in a nad light PR-wise.

 

[Mecca]

I love Clarkson but yeah....

You can find someone else to fill that role for less than 12 mil a year.

If it gets you two stars, peace out Jordan.

 

[Mecca]

There's a code of conduct in the NBA I do believe. Pretty sure owners aren't exempt from that. A racist email paints the NBA in a nad light PR-wise.

You are correct about the code of conduct.

If this is true, wouldn't Kyrie be within his rights to force his way to the Spurs to keep this info in house?

They'd have to buy my silence by eating a bad trade.