Rumor: LeBron James to Lakers Next Season?

What do you guys make of this? The Lakers will have the cap room- will LBJ come? I think a lot of it depends on how the young guys do this season. If the guys impress and get the team to near .500, fighting for a playoffs spot, that is going to improve the chances greatly IMO.

I would welcome him with open arms!!

He will be the new starting PF for the Lakers in 2018. Bye Julius!

So when Lebron gets here, he will be turning 34 and playing with the Lakers throughout his mid 30's (Declining years)... I guess he knows if you want to get a major payday for what you've previously done in your career, the Lakers are the team to join!

He comes here to set himself up for post playing years, gave up on chasing the Dubs. Sounds exactly like what the Lakers want.

I've said before, I dislike our method of chasing stars and seeking instant success/satisfaction through taking stars from other teams. But if it works it works I suppose. I'm just afraid we may end up giving up youngsters with star potential in return for supposed stars for it to be to no avail as we have done before and probably could be doing again soon.

Don't understand the point in signing LBJ tbh. It's like no one learned anything from Kobe's last contract. You can't pay an aging star max money or close to it and expect to contend for championships.

Just say NO to Labron

Just say NO to Labron

Now did you steal that saying from Nancy Regan.....lmao.

Don't understand the point in signing LBJ tbh. It's like no one learned anything from Kobe's last contract. You can't pay an aging star max money or close to it and expect to contend for championships.

Yeah but Kobe belonged to us regardless if you liked it or not. LBJ is just a journeyman trying to find which team has the easiest path for him to win another ring. PASS.

Don't understand the point in signing LBJ tbh. It's like no one learned anything from Kobe's last contract. You can't pay an aging star max money or close to it and expect to contend for championships.

Cavs have been contending!!! Lol

But get your point. If they do sign him , hopefully it's for 2 year contract like he's been doing.

Almost everybody in the league expect LBJ to sign with the Lakers next season, including the NBA executives. He will be a great addition to the Lakers team considering his stature as the best player in the NBA league today. Admittedly, he will be turning 34 next season and there is an apprehension that Father time will soon catch up with his physical qualities if given long term contract. I believe this apprehension is quite speculative at this stage, because the main reason why LBJ opted to be in the West is for him to personally manage his personal business ventures which mainly located in LA. With this in mind, I think a 3 year contract will be his maximum, precisely because of his business ventures which is his first priority in this late stage of his career.

Yeah but Kobe belonged to us regardless if you liked it or not. LBJ is just a journeyman trying to find which team has the easiest path for him to win another ring. PASS.

I understand the golden handshake and everything, but my point is you don't sign old players to huge contracts. Period.

Yes, contending in a terrible eastern conference. If the Cavs were in the West last year they would have been tied with the clippers/jazz for 4th/5th seed. In reality lower because they would have had to play Western teams 3 or 4 times instead of only twice. They were 16 and 14 against Western teams.

You know my thoughts on LBJ, it's just not a good signing at this stage of his career.

I am okay with an LBJ signing. My preference would be that he does 1+1 deal like kkennon1 said as he has been doing with the CAVS.

LeBron can still dominate games but will that be the case in 2 years? We don't know.

What LeBron can bring is a championship mentality and work ethic that young players need to see. BI and Lonzo didn't get to Kobe up close like Randle n Clarkson. Having that in your locker room is a big plus.

If Westbrook doesn't sign his extension then I say forget about LeBron and get PG and Westbrook to come to LA.

Think LBJ is a freak of nature, his drop off point might not be as soon as others have been. But I'm not saying what I'd do, I'm thinking what FO will do. Imo

And hopefully they only give him 2 years. Only thing I'm sure of is , if he becomes available, he'll be 1st FA they go after. Lol

I have Season Pass so I watch all the games and I have NBA 2k17 so I'm totally in the league and I'm not certain that LBJ will be signing with the Lakes. I also understand he's looking at the Clips. Anyway, let's hope he stays in Cleveland so we can avoid more drama. Look at the drama we currently have with Magic talking to players.

Oh I agree that the FO will try, it's just not the right play IMO. In a western conference that only seems to get harder each year, I just don't see how he makes the Lakers contenders. I've said many times he is an amazing player but he isn't going to win a championship as a Laker player.

Oh I agree that the FO will try, it's just not the right play IMO. In a western conference that only seems to get harder each year, I just don't see how he makes the Lakers contenders. I've said many times he is an amazing player but he isn't going to win a championship as a Laker player.

Don't think anybody is going to win a chip in the next few years other than GS. But him and another star gets them in the hunt, depending on how young players develop. Imo

Also doubt he signs with Lakers unless another star or 2 come with him.

It will be interesting upcoming season, as far as which one of young core starts to step up, if none of them do, or at least show some flashes of greatest, than I don't see point of signing a star. Unless they can some how sign 3 star players, without having to get rid of to much.

I'm also all for waiting and seeing how core develops, but you also take the risk of none of them turning into anything special, and your right where you are now in 3-4 years. Doubt FO will go that route. Guess either way, we'll find out in the next few years.

We may have 2 players next year that go by initials. LBJ and KPC

I'm not against signing a star, it's evident the roster needs one. But by the end of this upcoming season LBJ will be top 20 in minutes played. We saw how that turned out with Kobe first hand.

I'm not against signing a star, it's evident the roster needs one. But by the end of this upcoming season LBJ will be top 20 in minutes played. We saw how that turned out with Kobe first hand.

True, but looking at LBJ, I see no big drop off in next 3 yrs. But I don't personally care if they sign him or not, if all in LBJ hands. If he wants to be a laker, he'll be a laker. Lol

Besides we could aways use another Space Jam. Lmao !!!!

https://twitter.com/jasonrmcintyre/status/902727579773190144

^^^

Disney needs to quit.

I can see the Cavs using the pick they got from Boston to make a big trade to appease Lebron. If they pick up Cousins and Wade and IT comes back healthy, they could beat Golden State if things break right. If this happens I can see Lebron retiring in Cleveland. That could potentially take two of the major free agents off the table. Depending on how this tampering investigation and OKC's season goes PG and Westbrook might not be options either. We may be stuck deciding between retaining Lopez or adding Jordan or Noel as our big free agent acquisition.

I don't know Mcbill, seems like this offseason Cavs players (or maybe just James) were discouraging people from joking the Cavs. Pretty sure he's out.

I don't know Mcbill, seems like this offseason Cavs players (or maybe just James) were discouraging people from joking the Cavs. Pretty sure he's out.

That's a good point. James just seems to fickle to bank on. It could be he was just smart enough to not want to play with Melo every day.

True. We'll see.

https://twitter.com/ericpincus/status/903426183596916736https://twitter.com/br_nba/status/903439842159104001

There's a reason that Kyrie does not want to play with LeBron. Considering that he's being indirectly recruited by the Ball family and bringing in LeBron assuredly means losing 2-3 core players, Lonzo is again selling out the team before he ever steps onto the floor.

I'm not enthusiastic about LeBron given the process either. You don't build a team only to dismantle it for one player which is what would happen if they trade for him. Cleveland is not gonna let him walk for nothing so they will definitely trade him unless he assures them very soon that he's coming back! If he holds out, they will have no choice but to put him on the market. The Cavs just demonstrated how discontent they were with the Boston trade and it WILL NOT happen that way again, and they will NOT trade him to the Lakers therefore I have no idea what you all are getting excited about.

I agree with McBill. OKC will make a deep playoff run and George will remain. That leaves Boogie who I think the Lakers will happily settle for in F.A., if the Pels don't unload him due to 'rumors' as well.

Lets hope that Lerbron stays with the Cavs, I get tired of all the drama with him and players don't seem that happy to be his teammate.

He has a no trade clause, so if they trade him, it will be where he wants to go !!! And he already said he's not going anywhere this season. As far as losing 2-3 core players, think that happens with any 2 or more stars coming in FA. They can bring back all of them if they only sign 1 star. Though I doubt that happens, unless Randle has a all-star season, think Clarkson is gone regardless. Imo

He has a no trade clause, so if they trade him, it will be where he wants to go !!! And he already said he's not going anywhere this season. As far as losing 2-3 core players, think that happens with any 2 or more stars coming in FA. They can bring back all of them if they only sign 1 star. Though I doubt that happens, unless Randle has a all-star season, think Clarkson is gone regardless. Imo

I forgot about the NTC...

Clarkson is a starting 2 on half of the NBA teams... Given that we lost Lou, it would be nuts to let him go as well.

Think one or both will be used to get rid of Deng.

Although I'm not thrilled about the prospect of addin Lebron next offseason, the path to signing both him and another max guy without gutting the team seams pretty realistic. The first step is packaging Randle and Ckarkson now for expiring deals and a first round pick. This move would free up a little over $16 million and minutes for Deng at the four. Deng has proven that he is a very capable stretch four and if he can play as well as he did in Miami he could post a line of 15/9/2/1.5. Showcasing him in this way should enable the front office to trade him with only 2 years left on his contract even if they have to attach a pick. That's another $18 million. Sign KCP to a four year escalating deal with the first year starting at $15 million, saving almost $3 million. Renounce the rights to Lopez and Brewer saving another $30 million. After renouncing Ennis(he can be re-signed to another vet minimum deal later) that clears the $65 million needed to sign James and George. This next idea is from Eric Pincus so can't take credit and I'm sure is doable, sign Lopez to a one year deal at the room excemption with a promise of if a bigger multi year deal using bird rights the following year.

Think one or both will be used to get rid of Deng.

I presume you are correct. Magic has not been complimentary of Clarkson when he speaks of the young talented core either. He challenged him to be the 6th man of the year to boost the perception of his value but I agree, Magic already has his one way ticket approved and ready to print.

LeBron dropped a comment today that he would love to play with Westbrook. That trio would be wicked...

Although I'm not thrilled about the prospect of addin Lebron next offseason, the path to signing both him and another max guy without gutting the team seams pretty realistic. The first step is packaging Randle and Ckarkson now for expiring deals and a first round pick. This move would free up a little over $16 million and minutes for Deng at the four. Deng has proven that he is a very capable stretch four and if he can play as well as he did in Miami he could post a line of 15/9/2/1.5. Showcasing him in this way should enable the front office to trade him with only 2 years left on his contract even if they have to attach a pick. That's another $18 million. Sign KCP to a four year escalating deal with the first year starting at $15 million, saving almost $3 million. Renounce the rights to Lopez and Brewer saving another $30 million. After renouncing Ennis(he can be re-signed to another vet minimum deal later) that clears the $65 million needed to sign James and George. This next idea is from Eric Pincus so can't take credit and I'm sure is doable, sign Lopez to a one year deal at the room excemption with a promise of if a bigger multi year deal using bird rights the following year.

Or rather bring in one and allow Ingram and Ball to develop into stars in their own right. Of the players potentially available to round out the lakers, I would prefer Cousins. I do not find George to be too intriguing quite honestly given that Ingram could potentially match his contributions next season and LeBron sucks all of the oxygen out of the gym for himself. Is he past his prime?

Agreed. People always want to trade everyone away.

I don't necessarily want Cousins, but if we didn't lose anyone we have, and just add Cousins, I wouldn't really mind that. If Ball, Ingram & Randle develop, adding Cousins could be very nice! Giving that he isn't a cancer in the locker room. Add Clarkson, Nance, Zu as backup center and maybe keeping KCP if he plays very well this year. If Cousins finally matures that could be a very good team!

Or rather bring in one and allow Ingram and Ball to develop into stars in their own right. Of the players potentially available to round out the lakers, I would prefer Cousins. I do not find George to be too intriguing quite honestly given that Ingram could potentially match his contributions next season and LeBron sucks all of the oxygen out of the gym for himself. Is he past his prime?

Personally wouldn't bring in Cousins, unless I had a player like LBJ on team. And no !! I don't think Magic is the guy to keep Cousins in line, need a guy on court and in locker room.

Cousins also reminds me of K. Love, puts up great stats, but never going to lead a team anywhere. Imo

Although I'm not thrilled about the prospect of addin Lebron next offseason, the path to signing both him and another max guy without gutting the team seams pretty realistic. The first step is packaging Randle and Ckarkson now for expiring deals and a first round pick. This move would free up a little over $16 million and minutes for Deng at the four. Deng has proven that he is a very capable stretch four and if he can play as well as he did in Miami he could post a line of 15/9/2/1.5. Showcasing him in this way should enable the front office to trade him with only 2 years left on his contract even if they have to attach a pick. That's another $18 million. Sign KCP to a four year escalating deal with the first year starting at $15 million, saving almost $3 million. Renounce the rights to Lopez and Brewer saving another $30 million. After renouncing Ennis(he can be re-signed to another vet minimum deal later) that clears the $65 million needed to sign James and George. This next idea is from Eric Pincus so can't take credit and I'm sure is doable, sign Lopez to a one year deal at the room excemption with a promise of if a bigger multi year deal using bird rights the following year.

Wait, so basically if we get rid of everyone we can sign George and an Old James?!?!

Pass.

Not really JJ. Basically we would be giving up Randle, Clarkson and Deng to get PG and an old James.

PG13 and DMC please........

A LeBron statue next to Kobe's would make me want to puke.

A LeBron statue next to Kobe's would make me want to puke.

Lol, never happen !!! Even if he did come here.

Unless he won 4 chips or more in row. Lol

Here's hoping old James goes to the Clippers

Not really JJ. Basically we would be giving up Randle, Clarkson and Deng to get PG and an old James.

And let the others leave as free agents. Got it.

F No! Would be so sad if we signed James 😢

A LeBron statue next to Kobe's would make me want to puke.

Haha, agreed! I bet it would get vandalized all the time too! Haha

Here's hoping old James goes to the Clippers

Love that idea! He can strap them down with a ridiculous max contract with diminishing skills and athleticism and set them back years!

Love that idea! He can strap them down with a ridiculous max contract with diminishing skills and athleticism and set them back years!

Disagree, not about him going to Clippers, but him taking max contract. He's already shown he'll take less to get a contending team around him. Also don't see his skills diminishing that much in the next 2-3 years. Imo

Confused. What others? Brewer?