LeBron James: Top 5 free agency destinations in 2018
1. Los Angeles Lakers
The L.A. market. The luster of the Los Angeles Lakers franchise. The charm of Magic Johnson. The potential of Lonzo Ball, Paul George and cap space. There are plenty of reasons for LeBron James to consider heading to Cali, even without the current trouble in Cleveland.
King James can do whatever he wants in free agency next summer after bringing the Cavs a title. The blame of leaving again would be absolved by owner Dan Gilbert firing well-respected general manager David Griffin…not to mention Gilbert’s support for the current president, who LeBron has been vocal about denouncing.
Hate has always existed in America. Yes we know that but Donald Trump just made it fashionable again! Statues has nothing to do with us now!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) August 15, 2017
To that end, leaving Cleveland wouldn’t be surprising. The question is, where would he end up?
Chicago will have plenty of cap space, but not much young talent to build on. Philadelphia still has to stay healthy for a season to prove the Process is trustworthy. Phoenix’s young core is still unproven and its established talent is lacking outside of Bledsoe. Every other competitive team would have to jump through quite a few hoops just to be able to afford him.
LeBron has a home in L.A., it’s a massive market where he can expand his entrepreneurial ventures, it has great weather and he could play for one of the most prestigious organizations of all time. Even if he never beats the Warriors, putting the Lakers back on the map might be enough in his book, especially as he approaches the twilight of his career.
Lakers fans when LeBron called LA home pic.twitter.com/KaYcEdMHum
— Legends (@LegendsofCH) August 10, 2017
To that end, the Lakers make sense if they can shed Luol Deng‘s contract, along with Jordan Clarkson and possibly Julius Randle to clear the way for LeBron James and another superstar like PG-13. With a promising pass-first point guard like Lonzo Ball at the helm, life would get very easy for the Lakers’ star players, including the rising Brandon Ingram.
Next: 5 teams that should make a trade offer for Kyrie Irving
For years, Lakers fans have been ridiculed for branding every prospective free agent as a #FutureLaker. Against all odds, it’s starting to feel like LeBron-Freaking-James might actually become one.