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Why do people think Lakers are a lock to get Lebron?
slightly biased bias fan:
I don't get how the media has anointed Lakers as Lebron's destination next season, they will have an untested, thin, defensively weak point guard and another physically weak player in Ingram who was terrible last season and that's about it. Hypothetically if George signs there why would that put Lakers over the top in the sweepstakes? Lebron and PG are both on the record saying they don't want to play power forward so does PG go back to guard? or the bench? and even then they are no where near Warriors level.
If I had to bet where he would go if he leaves it'd be Houston if they could get off Anderson's contract.
Rhyso:
I think it's the fascination of a the bannana boat team forming (ie lebron, cp3, wade and melo), and it happening in LA makes as much sense as anywhere else. Outside of that I don't see Lebron leaving the east, having to go through the warriors earlier than necessary doesn't seem like Lebron move to me, PG or not.
crimson_stallion:
Lebron wants to win as many rings as he possibly can - all he cares about is cementing his legacy and trying to overcome Jordan.
Look at Lebron's history. He tends to go to teams where he can join up with young stars so that he can compete for many years. Joined with Wade and Bosh in Miami when they were in their 20's Once he felt they no longer had potential to compete in the future, he walked.
Next he went to Cleveland to join up with two younger stars in Kyrie and Kevin Love - both in their low-to-mid 20's. Had a solid run, but now Cleveland are clearly outgunned and outmatched, and they lacked the cap space to sign free agents or any high picks to draft a future star.
Gong to the Lakers, he could join forces with Ball, Ingram, Randle and Lopez - given how dominant Lebron is (every team he touches turns in to a contender) that core is probably good enough to make the east semi finals at the very least. Then next year they have tons of cap space, so they likely sign Paul George (everybody knows he wants to go there). Now you have Ball, George, Ingram, Randle, Lebron, Lopez, Clarkson and more - that's probably a better team then he had in Cleveland last season and can likely challenge golden state...but the fact that they have those young studs young studs means that as Lopez and Lebron start to decline, those young guys can develop and do more of the heavy lifting - maximising Lebron's championship window. He could potentially still be competing for titles at 38 years of age as a supporting piece to the Laker's new big 3 of Ball/George/Ingram, well after Golden State's rein in the West has ended.
Now if Thomas can eventually return to last season's from before the end of the year, then the fact that the Cavs added Thomas, plus Crowder (on a cheap long term deal), plus Zizic plus the Brk pick may force him to reconsider and sign for a couple more years.
obnoxiousmime:
The thinking is that with the Warriors out there, there really isn't any clearly favorable option out there so he might as well go to Los Angeles and finish his career with a historic franchise and in a major market. The Warriors are the clear favorite regardless of where he goes, especially as he ages and they are still in peak form.
He has a lot of business interests in LA and is interested in the entertainment industry. A Lakers team with him, George, Ball, and Ingram might not be championship-caliber, but it would be entertaining and get a lot of publicity. If they wanted to change course due to LeBron coming, they could also easily get something of value for Ingram or Ball.
trickybilly:
Are the Clips an option?
I actually really like how they have re-structured. Booting Doc from FO, getting Tedosic, Beverly, Dekker, Bird Rights to Lou Williams. So much will hang on Tedosic, and how well he adjusts.
Rivers, Gallo, Harrel as trade bait. Not sure if they can trade next years first rounder protected 15-30, or following years first if not conveyed..
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