I think by now the front office knows we’re not getting Lebron. I don’t buy the “still going all in” headline. Just like the Melo thing last year where we all thought we were still trying to grab him in the last second; they just left the same offer with the Knicks GM and moved on.
Literally, and I mean literally, every source out there that's even remotely reliable, has said that the Lakers are his first or second option at worst. This was ignored by many on Clutchfans for whatever reason. For some reason people on here think that Lebron to the Lakers is going to be like a 9 seed. They're going to be good. Elite? No. But good, and likely better in the playoffs? Absolutely.
Well yeah, because it's not really true. If they pick up Lebron and Paul George that's almost all of their cap space gone and even if they pick up some ring chasing role players, that's still not enough to beat the Warriors or Rockets. Lebron going to the Lakers is him throwing away the rest of his career.
This is myopic thinking. The NBA has proven time and time again that turnarounds can happen quickly. Adding Lebron and Paul George certainly is a huge start to that.
If not Houston, I would love to see LeBron with the Lakers. It makes for a great rivalry and I would love to see the matchup. Yes, people keep dismissing the Lakers as though the Rockets have some kind of a tremendous bench. The fact is without Harden and Paul, and maybe the exception of Capella who needs those two guys two excel, most of the other players are average or below average players. Without Harden and Paul the Rockets would be a lottery team lucky to win 20 games. Whereas the Lakers have one of the most improved player is in the league in Randall, one of the best rookies in Kuzma, who stands 6’10” and shot a the 3 ball on par with Curry his 1st year in the league, Ingram, a good 6’9” PF, and a decent point guard in Ball that will only get better. Even if they don’t Bring PG they still win 50 games and are better than the Cavs. With PG they contend with GS and the Rockets. Personally I would love to see the matchup.
If by turnaround you mean getting them back into the playoffs, then yes. If you mean getting them in contention in the West.....not so much. The ceiling for that team is 2nd round exit.
I also don't see why the Nets would throw a max to Capela when they have Jarrett Allen signed for a couple of millions, Randle on the other hand might make sense, cause i'm not sure the Lakers would match a contract that could be a problem to move going forward, and also cause the Nets with Randle could slide Jefferson at the 3.
This is what i always though and i still do, put Lebron on the current Rockets, and even if they lose Gordon or Capela, that's the best team in the league. The problem is, i'm not Lebron lol.
In order for Lakers to sign PG and Lebron they will have to renounce Randle. Or if they do a sign and trade they will surely lose at least one if not 2 of the players you mentioned. I do think the Lakers will be good but they are not close to Warriors. Lebron on Rockets would be 3 of the top 10 players in the league on the same team. Something that can actually match the 4 all stars in Golden State. Lebron on Lakers is like playing by himself again. Why can’t he see this if he wants to win.. Even with Paul George, who isn’t even that good of a player. Indiana was better without him and Thunder were exactly the same. Where is his impact? With that said Ive been thinking he’s headed to LA and we are gonna watch another year of Golden State winning. The warriors are gonna get better, using their MLE. The Rockets may lose important pieces this summer. I only see the gap between Warriors and everyone else growing. Lebron could fix that, and at least make it a 2 team league, but instead I just won’t watch NBA next year. They owe us a ring.
Look if the Lakers get PG and LeBron and keep all their young talent they're going to be contending. The really big question mark IMO would be Walton's coaching. And I would actually put money on the Lakers meeting the Warriors in WCF if the seeding is positioned correctly. You think the inconsistent whistle in game 6 and 7 was bad - the league would die to have Warriors and Lakers in the WCF. The ratings would be huge and there are plenty of narratives to write as well from the coaching to the players.
They can keep Randle if Lebron and George leave a small amount of money on the table OR if they can trade Deng's salary.
Lol people just saw lebron turn into a monstar in the playoffs. If him and pg go there they will be good and really tough to guard in transition with Lonzo, Bron, PG, and kuz on the perimeter. I don’t think they’ll be better than us but I damn sure dont want to play them in the playoffs
