While he didn’t play a part in revealing LeBron James‘ new home this time around, Lee Jenkins of Sports Illustrated has penned another excellent piece on LeBron’s latest decision. According to Jenkins, James initially narrowed down his preferred landing spots to the Lakers, Cavaliers, Sixers, and Rockets, instructing agent Rich Paul to research those organizations and give him feedback when he returned from a June vacation.
While the Rockets became a long shot after James opted out of his previous contract, the four-time MVP planned communications with the Cavaliers and Sixers at the start of free agency. The Lakers were his primary focus though, according to Jenkins, who notes that LeBron spoke to Kobe Bryant on the phone before meeting with Magic Johnson on Saturday night.
As Jenkins details, despite speculation that a second star like Kawhi Leonard or Paul George might be required to lure James to the Lakers, the future Hall-of-Famer had no problem being “the first headliner through the door.” Per Jenkins, LeBron believes that the Lakers have the recruiters, assets, and cap space necessary to build a lasting contender.
Here’s more on the Lakers’ and LeBron’s arrival:
- Although he was strongly considering the Lakers before sitting down with Johnson on Saturday night, James wanted to meet face-to-face and see if he and the Lakers’ president of basketball operations could “find a trust” before he made a final decision, sources tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.com (Twitter links). Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times has more details on that Saturday meeting between the former and future Lakers stars.
- The Lakers‘ status as an iconic franchise and the ability to live full time in Los Angeles with his family were important factors in James’ decision, two people with knowledge of the situation tell Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today. Zillgitt also notes that the Sixers worked hard to trade for Leonard as a selling point while recruiting James, but never made serious traction with the Spurs.
- Kevin O’Connor latest article for The Ringer cites multiple league sources who say that the Lakers‘ offers for Leonard have been “underwhelming.” However, O’Connor acknowledges that could change now that the team has secured a commitment from James. A package that sends Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle (via sign-and-trade), multiple first-round picks, and possibly Josh Hart to the Spurs could work, in the view of O’Connor’s sources.
- James’ business and basketball worlds will come together in Los Angeles, as Sam Amick of USA Today details in his piece on LeBron’s decision.
- Kevin Pelton of ESPN.com takes a closer look at how good the Lakers can be with their current roster and how they can become legit title contenders.
- We examined the Lakers‘ cap situation for 2018/19 earlier today.
L LeBron
A and George (ooops !! Cousins instead)
K Kawhi too
E enter a 3rd guy (Lance? Wow.)
R restricted FA perhaps
S surprise surprise, been saying it for 6 mos.
Looking at the list of 50 free agents there still a lot of guys available. Maybe one or two will take a minimum contract?
Wayne Ellington? He’s a great shooter. A guy like that….
Ellington is going to get more than the minimum. I believe this is his first real chance to cash in and secure a healthy multi-year deal. I wouldn’t expect him to pass that up to take a min deal with the lakers
In the aftermath of the James decision, many posters have been revealed to have made dumb remarks. I thought CLE, HOU & PHL were all more likely at various points, partly because I liked them more. Other posters made errors based on liking or more often, personally disliking James too much. IMO Gary “wins” impartially from his perch in Nor.Cal. Laker fans don’t count, they were just rooting.
If Klay Thompson leaves and goes to LA, that would result in a much more balanced NBA.
Tax the 1%, instead of tryi g to be like, or as good as, the 1%.
Hey Grandpa how can I become rich?
“Stop buying $100 pair of Nikes and put that $100 into Nike stock. Save and repeat.”
Man if the Spurs can get Randle,Ingram, and Hart they have to take that. They would be getting 2 possible all-stars and a solid shooting guard in Hart who can play defense and knock down 3’s. Ingram would be perfect on the Spurs since he is a point forward and can help Murray who isn’t much of a pass first guard.
If you can get two all stars out of Randle, Ingram and Hart why would you go for an older guy that hasn’t played a game of basketball in a few years? If Hart can play D and knock down 3s, why in hell would you trade him?
LBJ went from 2nd best team in NBA to 2nd best team in the state. Warriors say: eat my dust!
CLE was probably the 3rd or 4th best team in the NBA last year…. What are u talking about
Only two teams in the finals in 2018. GSW and Cleveland. What are YOU talking about?
Hes talking about basic basketball knowledge, not the playoff format.
Yea… they aren’t changing the format, too much travel in a 7 game series.
so I wonder if there was any truth to the LeBron sexting Durant about joining forces in LA.
What is so special about Leonard that we have to give up Randle, Ingram and first round picks? Ingram had the same numbers as Leonard last year, and Randle even better. Super talented players and should be well suited playing with #23.
Cousins would be a nice addition.
P. S. I would trade Lonzo ahead those guys.
Kawhi wasn’t Kawhi last year. I could’ve had the same numbers as him.
I think sign and trade randle (whos from texas) hart and a first round pick is more than fair. Personally id rather trade kuzma than ingram, ingram is much younger than kuzma and plays better defense. If we got kawhi ingram could mold his game after him. Keep in mind kuzma is 2/3 years older than ingram gotta think ingram gonna get better in teo years time. Kuzma is about as good as he is gonna get maybe a little more polished or shined but he is about as good as he can get.
Agree why would you give Ingram & JR for Kawhi, cannot see or believe that, I wouldn’t give Ball, Ingram, Kuzma or JR. After that they can take if Spurs want Hart, Zubac + a few 2nd rounders & maybe 1 first rounder. & that would be a generous offer for San Antonio, take it or leave it. Personally I hope they leave it, so Lakers can get DMC, which is a far superior player & fills the needs of the team better, just an almost perfect fit.