Roundtable: Where Will LeBron James End Up?
LeBron James is going to do this. LeBron James is going to do that.
That’s all we’ve been hearing since he opted out of his contract two weeks, in addition to his agent and childhood friend Rich Paul meeting with a handful of teams including the Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers. The latest report from Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN has the Cavaliers very much alive in the James sweepstakes, with sources indicating James is prepared to leave Miami after four straight NBA Finals appearances and potentially heading back to the state of Ohio.
Where will James take his talents next season? We asked a few of our staff members for the answer.
Gerald Bourguet, @GeraldBourguet– Cleveland Cavaliers. Call me crazy, but all the pieces are falling into place for LeBron James to leave the Miami Heat. I actually like the Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger signings, but they’re not going to keep the King in South Beach. If the reports are true that LeBron is seriously considering Cleveland’s pitch, not to mention the fact that LeBron’s agent and family want him to return home to Ohio, this long shot could actually happen.
Chris Reichert, @Chris_Reichert– Ultimately, I think LeBron goes back to the Miami Heat. However, I think at most it will be a two-year deal and then we can have all these shenanigans again after the 2015-16 season. I understand there are “better” overall rosters out West for LBJ, but I think that’s also relative because ALL of the rosters out West are better, so it’s that much harder to make the playoffs and NBA Finals. If LBJ, (Chris) Bosh and (Dwyane) Wade (especially Wade) can take pay cuts to give Riley enough money to add another piece or two then that would be ideal, and they would still be the favorites in the East to me.
Maxwell Ogden, @MaxwellOgden– LeBron James will continue playing for the Miami Heat. There are 29 other options for him, but there aren’t many realistic ones. Some organizations would need to execute a sign-and-trade that would make LeBron’s supporting cast less attractive, while others don’t have much to offer besides upside. Miami has made four consecutive NBA Finals appearances and has an owner that’s willing to spend money to win. LeBron will stay with the Heat. His supporting cast is what will both change and improve.
Phil Watson, @FurtherReview– While Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger are fine additions, I don’t see that swaying LeBron James in favor of remaining in Miami. That said, I don’t believe much of what I hear about what people around LeBron are saying. We had the same sort of smokescreens going on four years ago. Bottom line: My gut says Cleveland. LeBron, for all of his posturing, really does care what people think and it bothered him a lot to be cast as the villain. He gets to star in Hometown Savior, Part Deux if he goes back now.