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Los Angeles Lakers: Imagining Bill Simmons’ star-studded starting lineup

By Gil Alcaraz IV

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 20: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates after making a shot against the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 20, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 20: Paul George #13 of the Indiana Pacers celebrates after making a shot against the Utah Jazz at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 20, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers
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Power Forward: LeBron James

Here it is — the cream of this potential 2018 free agency crop for the Lakers. While some may argue that he’s a risky signing at 33 years of age (by next offseason), James is exactly what Los Angeles needs to return to relevance.

Right now, he’s still the best player in the game. LeBron can dominate at any position, knows when and how to put the team on his back, and is lights-out from the field when he gets going (which is often). The other three hypothetical signings would be amazing additions to this Lakers lineup, but James would be the true game-changer.

Realistically, both James and George are interchangeable between the two forward positions. In this scenario, though, I like LeBron at the 4. He’s got the power and post game to battle down low, and is a matchup nightmare for the less-athletic power forwards he’d face. Then again, the King is a matchup nightmare for just about anyone in the NBA.

As Simmons clearly stated, this move makes a lot of sense for James. He’s got a home in Los Angeles and would have more business/post-career opportunities in California than he would in Cleveland. He already secured a ring for the Cavaliers, so his end of the deal is fulfilled.

All of the pieces are slowly falling into place for this to happen come 2018. Some Los Angeles fans will be hesitant about the King coming westward, but I believe it gives the Lakers the best chance of winning more rings in the near future.

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