Writing is on the wall for a LeBron departure from LA it appears. From Windhorst to Fischer to the group at the Athletic, I think there are as many sirens of Lebron leaving now as there were predicting Lebron's departure from Cleveland to LA in 2018. He's extension eligible this summer, but has one year left before he enters free agency. So he does have some sorta leverage right now. Also, I wouldn't underestimate the connections we're building with Klutch. Largely ignoring the cap logistics needed to acquire his contract, if he comes with a multi- year extension, what's the most you'd give up?
He's got 1 or 2 years left...MAYBE and he's probably gonna be injured to end his career. I wouldn't give Dame or Ant for him, that's for sure. Expiring contracts, picks and absorbing cap space.
I chose picks and fillers but unless the Blazers have the deal lined up before they make the decision on Bledsoe next season, (which is pretty obviously waive him), Portland would not have close to the filler contracts needed. I'm also thinking it wouldn't work with an extend-and-trade because of the hard cap rules if Lebron forced his way out of LA it would probably be back to Cleveland
Defense has definitely slipped over the years but this level of production in year 19 is unparalleled. (also notice the pattern of him changing teams every 4 yrs)
ya, the cap gymnastics required to acquire him would be a mess. I'm just more interested in a theoretical discussion of "do we want him?"
and thats about it. We wouldn't win here with him without another star and his salary would gut our team. Rather continue building for the future than hard cap us for years to get him as a rental at the end of his career.
Who would the Lakers be more willing to trade? A younger injury-prone and weaker mentality Anthony Davis or an aging LeBron James?
You don't think a core of Dame-Ant-James-Nurk with guys like Hart/Nas off the bench would be a contender? LA mortgaged their entire next decade to win a title with Lebron/Davis. I think I could live with a decade of mediocrity if we get one sniff of Dame winning a title.
Hart, Bledsoe, small salary filler and 2 picks from this year. Dame/ant/little/lebron/nurk Winslow, Watford and ring chasers on the bench.
with lebron playing 2/3rds of the season? Contender at best maybe but we still have to sign nurk and ant. Plus LA is a FA dream destination so LA was and is able to pick up lots of vet mins to fill out the bench. I have no faith in Portland doing the same. Melo aint coming back. Dhoward isn't coming here, etc. If we made the finals? Id be fine with it. But with the lack of a bench due to fa destination issues and lbj wearing down, i find making the finals a pretty tall order without a third all star. Lbj five years ago? Id be sold.
I dunno about that. As Dame was telling Draymond yesterday, players are pining to play in places like OKC/MKE for a chance at a title. If you put a core together of Dame-Ant-Lebron-Nurk, vet minimums that fit should be chomping at the bit to come over. Hell, we managed to get DSJ/Mac last summer and both would be better than half the bench players Pelinka got in LA. And 2/3rd of a season is fine by me if it means Ant/Dame are still playing to get you TO the playoffs. Then bring in Lebron as a hired mercenary for the playoffs.
If LeBron leaves the lakers he’s gonna go to Cleveland. He’s gonna chase the storyline, the basketball fit isn’t the priority anymore. If it was he wouldn’t have went to the Lakers in the first place.
Narrative is nice, but I really don't think the Cavs will want him. I was listening to the Woj pod with their GM yesterday and he spoke almost in manner of relief that he no longer has to make decisions to placate Lebron.
A six pack and a pizza. Not any players or picks that the Lakers want. They got him for nothing in free agency. That is the only way I would want him, which I don't. I do not want him being the GM of the Trail Blazers. Let him go back to Cleveland.