For much of 2017, there have been rumblings about the possibility of LeBron James leaving the Cavaliers in the summer of 2018 to head west to Los Angeles. With the Cavs hosting the Lakers on Thursday night, it was as good a time as any for Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst of ESPN to check in on James’ upcoming free agency, passing along a few notes and tidbits they’ve picked up from various sources. Here are some highlights from their piece:
- Despite the constant speculation and L.A.’s efforts to create massive cap room for 2018, the Lakers look a “long shot” to sign James for now, league sources tell Shelburne and Windhorst.
- According to ESPN’s report, when James reached free agency in 2014, his reps told contending teams to be prepared to offer a maximum salary contract, and not a penny less. It’s too early to lock anything in for 2018, but don’t expect James to take a Kevin Durant-esque discount on his next contract, per Shelburne and Windhorst. Sources tell the duo that James’ stance on max contracts hasn’t changed, meaning potential suitors will need to be able to offer a projected starting salary of approximately $35MM.
- A recent report cited the Rockets as a threat for James, and LeBron’s longtime friendship with Chris Paul is a reason to take Houston seriously, according to Shelburne and Windhorst. Still, league sources tell ESPN that the idea that James and Paul badly want to end up on the same team is an “overstated assumption.”
- While we’ll certainly hear plenty more about James’ free agency in the coming months, it’s unlikely that we’ll hear much from the man himself — or agent Rich Paul. “LeBron is focused on this season and winning a championship,” Paul told ESPN. “At the appropriate time, we will explore all the options. Now is not the time.”
All I want to know right now is what the heck Lebron was saying to Ball after the game and why are they both not saying what was said lol
Think LeBron was telling him to quit listening to his dad!
He told him to stay focused and be engaged, and that media would try to find out what he said. Someone had a mic on the floor.
Quit playing basketball and he will sign with Lakers
He won’t do it but I would love to see Lebron take the minimum and play for the rockets so they could keep that entire team intact. He’s already said he won’t play for anything less the max ever again but it would be really interesting to see Lebron, Harden, and Paul with that supporting cast take on the warriors.
There’s really not much sense in even speculating about that
They would slaughter the Warriors. Thing is Lebron is thinking long-term, I don’t think he wants that label of joining other superstars to take down the Warriors. He wants to beat them but I think he wants to do it a different way, which is not tag teaming with other MVP’s like Durant.
Does Houston have 35 million in cap space for next season? I didn’t think so. Does LA have a super team with cap space? Nope. Look Cleveland started off poorly with all the new players and ESPN says James is going to LA. Which team didn’t seem to matter to the writers/editor just to LA. Cleveland goes on a 13 game win streak and it got quiet about James is playing then the Cavs lose one game and it’s James to Houston. La comes to town with LaVar’s teamand jts back to the old tired James to la. Didn’t you writers watch tonight’s game as the Cavs walked through the game while LA played the best game of the year. James needs shooters and killed veterans. Not an over zealous dad that runs showtime with overachieving 20 year olds. But never say never. La might be able to dump 13 or 13 if it’s players and James brings the rest of the lineup and coaching staff, gm and owner tonal then yes, it could happen.
Dag gone autocorrect! lol. I look as bad as the lakers did tonight.
Kuzma and Ingram looked good.
It took a lot of years to get a pro football team back. The Lakers have lost their glamour for several years and haven’t been able to get a quality free agent. Magic tried and it cost him $500,000. The Los Angeles media is pushing to try and get LeBron or PG13 to go there. LeBron didn’t tell anyone except Wade and Bosh he was going to Miami. He told Wade he was coming back to Cleveland, now Wade’s here. L.A. people want him in L.A. Cleveland people want him in Cleveland. His roots are here and he’s playing with his buddies. He has an owner that gives him whatever he wants. He’s still doing his movies and commercials while he lives in Akron. We’ll see.
They talk about LeBron buying a house in L.A. He has a nice one in Akron too. LeBron and Steph Curry were born in the same hospital in Akron. For sports reporters I trust, Chris Broussard of Fox, formerly of ESPN (Ramona Shelbourne and Brian Windhorst took his place), is from Akron and spoke before a game this week. He thinks LeBron will be back too.
Morey is a witch, if he wants LeBron, he will figure out a way to make it work. I don’t think he wanted Melo, or he would have gotten him despite all the reports of the contrary.
LBJ to the Sixers would be the most ideal move.
1 – They can pay him 35M.
2 – He can bring Wade with him if he wants (obviously won’t be for free)
3 – They have 15M to divide between wade an another FA.
4 – They can use Bayless 8.5 M and Justin Anderson 2.5 along with picks to facilitate a trade for a mid-level player of LBJ’s choosing. Taj Gibson? Kenneth Faried? Harkless?
C – Embiid – Holmes
PF – Saric
SF – LBJ – Covington
SG – Fultz – TLC/Korkmaz
PG – Simmons – McConnell
Cleveland has everything he wants. He likes his teammates. LeBron is living where he grew up. His family is happy there. He has his LeBron James Foundation for providing scholarships for youth in Akron and is extremely active in the community. The owner is worth $5.5 billion so money isn’t a problem. Cleveland is one of a few teams willing to pay the luxury tax, and they have to to keep up with the Warriors. They’ve been to 3 straight finals and likely will be to a 4th. The Warriors are near point they may start breaking up. LeBron only has a few good years left. He won’t get it any better than where he is now. The Cavs may need an upgrade in the frontcourt and maybe at shooting guard, they’ll work it out.
I totally agree with you. By any means necessary get Demarcus Cousin. They can beat any team in the playoffs!
LeBron likes Cousins. Wonder if Pelicans would trade him.
Would be something like Tristian Thompson & Nets Pick