NBA rumors: Most likely landing spots for LeBron James in 2018

2. Los Angeles Lakers

Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but nearly every Los Angeles Lakers fan out there seems to believe that LeBron-to-L.A. is a done deal. At this point, it seems advisable for those folks to temper expectations.

That’s not to say that the Lakers don’t stand a decent chance of making the unthinkable happen. In fact, they may have some of the best odds of bringing King James to the Western Conference. I just think that this whole thing is getting blown a bit out of proportion with so much time left before any final decision is made.

Still, it’s difficult to deny the signs. It seems that James is giving fans hope on nearly a weekly basis. From calling Los Angeles “home” to gushing about Magic Johnson, it’s almost as if he’s just feeding the fire for the fun of it. Then there’s the fact that James owns a house in L.A. and has business aspirations that would best be pursued in the US’s second-biggest market.

Honestly, I believe the Lakers’ contention for LeBron’s services will depend largely on how the 2017-18 season plays out. If Lonzo Ball looks like a budding star and the rest of the roster shows progress, James could be convinced by Magic to serve as the final piece to the puzzle. If they struggle again and put together another pitiful effort, it could effectively flush their hopes down the drain.

Magic has a bold, ambitious plan to turn this Lakers franchise around overnight. James plays an integral part in it. Los Angeles may seem to have an early lead in the race, but we’re miles from the finish line.