Will he leave Cleveland
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/adrian-wojnarowski-people-around-nba-221416967.html
https://www.yahoo.com/sports/adrian-wojnarowski-people-around-nba-221416967.html
How would you combat the super team problem? Hard salary cap?
How would you combat the super team problem? Hard salary cap?
:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
People have lost their minds. He has NO reason to leave. His roots are here. His kids go to school here. His foundation is here. He has more money than he can ever spend. His remaining years will be solidifying his legacy. That means championships. There are about 2 teams with a real chance to win a championship, and he's on one of them. No way does LeBron leave again, especially to a rebuilding Lakers team. Everyone loves to stir the pot.
Had GSW lost the Finals, this would be about Durant leaving.
Personally, I'm hoping James Harden, Russell Westbrook, and LeBron James all head to Golden State. If the NBA thinks these "superteams" are good for the league, let's give them the best one possible...
He won't leave. Anyone who thinks he will is just a freaking idiot.
Id have to think GS will come into a problem with their contract situations
Id have to think GS will come into a problem with their contract situations
It is very difficult in 2017 to be highly touted, get drafted by a team, and live with the day to day, season to season scrutiny of the fan base and media.
Kevin Durrant was the face of OKC. The best player of their franchise, yet he was pushed out of town. There is an expectation that all franchise players win championships, which is so unrealistic. Only one team wins the championship each season.
It is very difficult in 2017 to be highly touted, get drafted by a team, and live with the day to day, season to season scrutiny of the fan base and media.
Kevin Durrant was the face of OKC. The best player of their franchise, yet he was pushed out of town. There is an expectation that all franchise players win championships, which is so unrealistic. Only one team wins the championship each season.
Woj is probably the most connected reporter in the NBA, if he says it's a possibility, it almost certainly is.
I think he leaves after next year. Cleveland loses to Boston in the ECF after they add Hayward or Butler.
Other than Kyrie & Thompson, the rest of the Cavs are either clearly regressing(Love, Smith, Shumpert) or ready for retirement(Jefferson, Frye, Williams.) They've backed themselves into a cap situation where they have little to no flexibility to add a significant free agent, and their trade-able assets aren't in demand. They also have virtually no 1st rd draft picks for the foreseeable future.
He will have a decision of either riding out his career as a 2nd banana in the East and watching the Warriors and Celtics battle in the finals for the foreseeable future. Or he can try and add himself to a young team who's close to getting over the hump.
Who he goes to depends on how some of these young guys develop. If they all pan out to their maximum potential, a Lakers lineup in 2019 of
Ingram
Randle
Lebron
Russell
Ball
is pretty formidable.
That said, I don't think at least half those guys will end up being much more than serviceable players.
The Clippers I don't see being in a good position. Their big 3 is either going to get broken up or be a shell of its former self by then.
San Antonio is always a possibility for any big free agent, but I'm not that familiar with their cap situation to know if that would even be possible in 2 seasons. I'm sure he respects Pop, and teaming with Kawhi would be an insane combo.
If he stays in Cleveland, it will strictly be a decision about his brand and/or a sense of loyalty. Because they do not offer the best chance to win a title past 2018.
San Antonio only has Kawhi Leonard on the books starting 18/19... They will have a LOT of flexibility to add LeBron and maybe another 1 or 2 bonafide star-caliber players and fill in the rest from there.. I wouldn't respect LeBron any less for going, especially knowing full well the challenge he would face in going through Golden State just to get to the finals.. Its very plausible
Has any bigtime free agent signed with the Spurs in the Pop era? SA has some charm as a city, but it is not a glam location.
LaMarcus Aldridge. Although he's not been great for them. But he was probably the biggest real FA on the market in 2015. LeBron was obviously returning to Cleveland, Kawhi and Timmy weren't leaving SA and Marc Gasol wasn't leaving Memphis.
National media can't stand the fact that a "flyover" city is a title contender. The speculation happens every year after the season.