The Rockets are still “all in” on the idea of pursuing LeBron James this summer, a person with knowledge of the situation tells Sam Amick of USA Today. Amick suggests Houston may be a long shot for James, but makes it clear that the team hasn’t given up on the idea by any means.
The Lakers and Cavaliers have increasingly been cited as the most likely landing spots for James, with at least one report suggesting that Houston might not be a great fit for LeBron from a family perspective. For his part, the four-time MVP has been mum on his decision, so it remains unclear which teams have a realistic shot to land him.
[RELATED: LeBron James Not Interested In Elaborate Recruiting Pitches]
From an on-court perspective, the Rockets make a lot of sense as a potential LeBron destination. His good friend Chris Paul is considered very likely to re-sign in Houston, and the team came within one win of knocking off the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Additionally, GM Daryl Morey is known for trying to find creative ways to acquire any star he can, as he did a year ago with CP3.
However, it wouldn’t be easy for the Rockets to land James. If LeBron exercises his player option for 2018/19, a trade to Houston is a possibility. If he turns down that option though, the Rockets won’t have the cap space to sign him outright, and landing him a sign-and-trade would only be plausible if team salary remains below the tax apron all year long, which would be extremely tricky for a club that wants to re-sign Paul and Clint Capela.
June 29 will be the next date to watch for James — that’s the deadline for him to pick up or decline his option.
Lebron needs to go back to Miami and mend fences with Riley. Riley was going to put him in the best position to win but instead he ignored him in a meeting in which Riley brought both the trophies Miami won there with him. Go back to Miami and finish your career there Lebron, be known for playing for 2 teams in your career.
What would be the point of him joining Miami? He’s still trying to win rings and if he had the choice between Cleveland and Miami we all know who he would pick
If he wants to win that would be dumb. He’d be right back in a similar situation he had with Cleveland, which is good enough to make it through the East but no where near good enough to beat Golden State or Houston. In that case he might as well just stay put in Cleveland.
Skillset on the Heat would be cool to see with LeBron. Very versatile and disruptive defensively, which was a significant issue with Cleveland. That being said, the avenues to get him back, and then potentially add someone else would be limited b/c it would need to be a trade. Everything is speculation at this point. There are multiple options that make sense for one reason or another. Honestly, I was pretty surprised when he came to Miami in 2010. I thought all of them were going to Chicago, and then after Wade stayed, and we added Bosh at the same time, I was already elated. At that point, I was thinking Chicago, staying in Cleveland, and the Knicks, and then an outside chance at Miami. Point being that until we hear it from him, nobody knows
Just see the pattern. He came back to Cleveland to play for someone who he left off in bad terms with(Gilbert). In Miami he left Riley hanging and will likely mend fences with him. He stays in the East, plays with Wade and the Heat are a deep team with versatile defenders in Richardson,Whiteside,and Johnson. All they have to do is move Tyler’s contract and create some room.
Preferably, if they somehow add Lebron, and still get someone else, the people traded would be Whiteside, Waiters, and James Johnson being replaced by Lebron. Hopefully, they’d be able to keep Tyler Johnson. But obviously, that’s a best case scenario
I think you keep Johnson for defense so Lebron won’t have to work so hard on defense,Tyler,and Waiters can go.
In that scenario, I’d rather lose Olynyk than Tyler Johnson
Also, I felt like there were factors involved, that were reported at the time, that need to be addressed. LeBron went back to Cleveland b/c he wanted to remain living in Akron, and to be able to do that without having the whole general area hating him would have been pretty difficult. Alleviate that by going back and helping them win. Another factor was that Riley didnt let his posse control everything the way they did in Cleveland, and LeBron didnt entirely like that. I had a 3rd thing on my mind, but I got distracted at work, and now I dont remember what it was. I’ll add it if I remember lol
He didn’t like Spo was the 3rd thing. Rumor is Lebron was subtly pushing for a new coach.
They would need to move multiple players to afford LBJ and then a lot more to open up for at least 1 major player. James would want and need more than Wade and a bunch of solid players to compete in the East and ultimately GSW.
I hope he goes to the Lakers and signs a nice long contract with them. That way he’ll never reach the finals again
If he signs with the Lakers, that’s pretty much guaranteed
LeBron should stay in Cleveland. The Lakers don’t have enough pieces to help him get over the hump by beating Golden State or Houston. The east is the easier path with only Boston in the way. Maybe he can do some recruiting and bring CP to Cleveland
When is the last time a free agent that LeBron didn’t recruit on a minimum contract, come to Cleveland. In the NFL they don’t want to go to Green Bay. In the NBA they don’t want to come to Cleveland. Seriously who is the last big free agent not named LeBron to come to Cleveland. Not during Kyrie’s time.
Love was traded to the Cavs and played one year then opted out, became a FA and signed an extension. If he didn’t want to be in Cleveland he wouldn’t have approved the trade and then extend himself. If a star wants a chip and sees Cleveland as their best shot then they’ll go. Bottom line. It’s not like they have to live their year round for the rest of their lives.
Lakers already beat gsw this year without stars. Not a valid arguement. Im fine with lebron staying but hes gonna be mopped again and may not even make it to the finals (celtics and sixers) will be better. Lakers have more than enough to get it done just no one wants the lakers to be relevant again so soon.
When? GS was 4-0 vs Lakers this year.
I don’t know why anyone is handing the East over to Boston and Philly. Philly has issues to address. Can they bring back or replace Reddick? Can Embid stay healthy? In Boston how are they going to mesh Irving, Hayward and the others? Will Irving even be back next season?
Cavs are going to do all they can to improve and if LBJ comes back I’m not sure you can just count them out.
If Lebron is serious about taking out the warriors and winning another title Houston is the only place, take the min so Houston can keep most of the roster. He’s already set for life as is his kids and grandkids. Coming from a Lakers fan I wouldn’t have any problem if he went to Houston
Amen to that!
no way he takes the min.
to me what makes the most sense is he and paul taking a discount .. letting ariza and luc walk .. you can trade ryan Anderson and a pick for Jordan and then you let capela walk …
so its
C- JORDAN
PF TUCKER
SF JAMES
SG HARDEN
PG PAUL
bench
Gordon
Green
Nene
all that being said I don’t think harden wants Lebron here at all… I don’t even think he wanted CP3 here I doubt very much he was on the recruiting trail for Paul.. and again Morey gave up way more then he had to for Paul seeing has the Clips had to take whatever the rockets would give them.
Harden did recruit Paul, if I recall he started the idea.
Harden got the MVP, now he needs a title!
Media needs to stop floating all these ideas out there. Its gonna be unexciting when a. He opts in b. Goes to the lakers. Most in the industry already know its done.
If you’re the Lakers what would it mean if they couldn’t attract at least LBJ or George to join them?
I think his clearest path to another ring would be to go to Houston with CP3 and the MVP.
Agreed. It’s literally a slam dunk with him added to the Rockets roster–they’d be the top team every year after and win championship after championship. Golden State would be runner up every single season.
Says the houston fans, no cap space and cp3 isnt even on your team right now. Wants supermax. No one wants ryan anderson! Lol
It would be verrrrrrrry interesting to see 3 ball dominant guys on the same team. When they in-bound the ball and the 3 of them all look at each other, who would be the first to say “ok you take it up”?
That’s exactly what I was going to say. I was very surprised that Harden and Chris Paul were able to coexist both being all dominant guys.
The reason why Harden is the best offensive player on the planet is because he has the ball in his hands and can either score long or short or find another player for a layup or dunk. His vision is other-wordly.
Fitting Chris Paul in was truly an accomplishment cuz he likes to dribble dribble dribble as well.
How would James fit into that? That would be really tough. But 4for a Championship maybe Paul and Harden become spot-up Shooters 50% of the time.?
I think James is tired of having the ball so much.
LBJ should look for happiness & best place to raise his family & play ball, he’s already been in 9 finals, in modern times I cannot think of anyone else apart from Magic that has done so, how many more he needs/wants to reach? Enjoy life man.
Yeah that low crime rate and non existent tax is terrible for families.