LeBron James opted for the Lakers, a one -year contract for his 23rd record season which pays more than $ 52 million for what would be his eighth year in Los Angeles.
James experienced his dream of longevity declared to team up with his son Bonny on the field with the Lakers last season and helped the push of the Séries Channel as a co-star of Luka Dončić.
He said the goal remains a championship and his main objective to play.
But even LeBron seems certain that the best chance for a Larry O’Brien trophy will not be in Los Angeles.
In the words of his agent, Rich Paul, James “knows that Lakers are building for the future. He understands this. But he appreciates a realistic chance to win everything. We are very appreciated by the partnership that we had for eight years with Jeanie (Buss) and Rob (Pelinka) and consider the Lakers as a critical part of her career. ”
There are a lot of signals wrapped in a series of sentences from Paul, which said nothing that James was part of the future or the franchise. The neon nuances of the Instanta Paul share to inform the other teams that James would be available – and interested.
A team with limited agents limited from the under 25s – Golden State with Jonathan Kuminga, the Chicago Bulls with Josh Giddey, and the Breakout star Quentin Grimes – and the DRAFT capital could be the ideal trading partner for Lakers if they have indeed chosen to separate with James.
The Warriors are already the AARP announcement of the NBA with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler. We all felt the Bromance James and Curry connection in the United States team in Paris last summer and on the stages of the stars games before that.
Would Golden State face this grouping in a literal gray beard? I do not see this programming surviving the Thunder in a seven -minute match, not to mention a series of seven games.
Chicago is far from arguing. Move Giddey, who is not a leading goalscorer but can stir the drink as a playmaker and bounce, has all its sense in the world for the bulls if the sign and the exchange brings a younger centerpiece that can associate with Coby White and move the franchise of the perpetual playoff range.
Grimes is an interesting case but also the type of room that would be more attractive for teams outside of Philadelphia, simply based on the history of Daryl Morey to stack the superstars. Adding James towards the end of his career with Joel Embiid who comes out of another knee surgery and Paul George far from a certainty, given his history, presents himself as a hamburger for the 76ers.
You may imagine James in Memphis, but I’m not sure it happens. Would he play the second or third violin for the Wolves? What price for Minnesota?
It is not that James is undesirable. The timing – and the figures – will not add up to make it work.
Of course, James could receive an SMS from old friends Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra about a meeting on South Beach. But which of these movements really puts Lebron closer to this desire for a greater championation?