LABron James Discussion: The Final Year?

I don’t get the angle that he has no power. He is a FA next year and can go anywhere he wants, the only thing he lost is the ability to force us to keep him with a player option.

But does anyone actually think if he is healthy next year we aren’t bringing him back for another if he wants too? Or the one after that?

I’m not some LeBron James fan, but he is still performing, is great for business and gives us a good shot to win.

 

LeBron is butt hurt .He is in Vegas at the game and said he has nothing to discuss regarding his upcoming season .

 

he’s had the power to walk for years. But he’s also had the power to determine his salary here for years, too.

if he sees it like you do, he’d be less pissy right now.

I’m also not positive we want to bring him back at his salary unless he produces again. This is definitely different.

and shelbourne is again getting exposed as a “reporter”.

 

This is where we see things differently. Logically speaking I don’t see the downside of bringing him back.

He is still producing at a max contract level
He is still excellent for business
He is still the best second option we have available to us to compete with Luka
I don’t see how he stops us building a future with Luka tomorrow, by maximising their window today

 

Not having the PO allows us to prepare alternative plans in advance, including deciding in advance we won't sign him and do something else
With the PO, we would only find next June if he wants to stay or not and had less flexibility

We should also be the team able to pay him the most in summer, so we have leverage.

 

Unless he plays petty petty princess, then he needs to go. He can choose to be more of a problem than an asset if he wants. It’s up to him. Seems like he has started making choices on that topic already though.

 

Agree

I'm not happy with the way he is going about this

He definitely could have handled it better and be more appreciative towards the Lakers, who have bent over backwards to please him

 

I'm just checking in to see if LeBron is still on the team.

 

shockedpikachu.gif

that's what happens when you just throw s*** at the wall and hope it sticks

 

Hmmmm. I actually think they are giving LeWhine the same treatment he’s been giving them for seven off seasons: passive/aggressive signals that can be interpreted in a myriad of ways.

 

is still…my whole point is you’re assuming we’ll feel this way a year from now.

 

Let's say LeBron is off the books next year. How much $ does that leave the Lakers to spend? It's not dollar-for-dollar. If it's $45 million, then the Lakers are better off signing a different max player. The Lakers can't be held hostage by LeBron's allure and stature any longer UNLESS he is willing to take a massive paycut... The fit with Luka isn't great as it is because Luka needs a guy who can play better off-ball, defense, and shooter so you're already losing value there by keeping LeBron. I'd rather the Lakers get a young max player who can still improve to build on or get multiple players who fit Luka+Reaves. Ultimate goal is Giannis or Jokic. I think there's a real shot for Giannis but I'm not sure how Giannis's game will go when he's 33-35 so that's something to also be cautious about. Jokic's going to be good for the next 5-8 years since he doesn't rely on athleticism and just pure IQ/size.

LeBron's been good for the Lakers but it's time the Lakers focus on their long-term future whether that's with or without LeBron... With if he's taking a discount... Without if the guy comes in expecting to get paid max after max when the roster can't afford to pay him max.

 

I think we just play the year and see. It’s possible we wish to offer him another max deal next summer. Sure as hell won’t offer that now, though, and not sure why anyone is mad or surprised by it.

 

What if the update is CYA falsehoods by Bron’s team?




either way, he IS dropping passive aggressive comments/actions along the way. It shouldn’t change anything about how we deal with the contract situation. Dude has earned a billion in salaries from the NBA. He doesn’t need the Lakers to mortgage their future to finance an ego driven golden parachute. It’s illogical.

So is a buyout. So is an unfavorable trade. Your choices are accept you aren’t the king cheese any longer and play out your contract or retire.

I have little doubt if he’s still playing at a high level the Lakers will offer another 1 year deal. But you don’t give a 41 yr old athlete a two year max contract at 35% of your cap. That’s just crazy talk.

Kobe was the exception to all rules - never be another like him. Bron, the fans don’t love you like that here. Maybe you should do your swan song next year in Cleveland. They MIGHT love you like that, but you DID leave them twice and left them high and dry without compensation.

 

I appreciate the 1 championship he got us, but his salary is too much to make a actual good improvements instead of marginal to the team plus he's 41 I don't care how good he plays at that age. the past few seasons he's shown he's breaking down and can barely last into the playoffs, if he can't bow out gracefully that's on him, but you can't justify paying a 41vr old 55mil+

 

You might make your money back on tickets and merchandise, but you aren’t serious about winning it all if you are relying heavily on a 41-42 yr old star with the highest mileage in his sports history. Not for max dollars and up to 35% of your cap. You’re better off with 5 solid players giving you amazing depth.

 

Interesting.the new CBA almost has killed even the possibility of LeBron trade

Previously, teams could receive 125% of the outgoing salary + $100,000.

Now:

The Knicks and Mavericks are up against the second tax apron and can’t take back more salary than they send out.

Cleveland is $20 million over the second apron. To trade for LeBron, they’d have to give up Darius Garland and two key players: Jarrett Allen and Max Strus. No one is doing that for a 40-year-old, even a legendary one.Only trade candidate for LeBron is Mitchell or Mobley ,but they are definitely not going to ..

The Lakers are above the first apron, so salaries must almost match exactly.

For example, before:

Cleveland could’ve traded Allen and Hunter ($43.3M outgoing, could take in $54.1M).

Now they'd need to send Garland, Allen, and Strus ($20M + $23M + $16M).

New York previously could’ve sent Bridges and Hart ($44.4M outgoing, could receive $55.5M).
Now they’d need to include Mitchell Robinson too — too much for a team already lacking depth.

Dallas could’ve offered Thompson, Washington, and Gafford ($45.1M).
Now they'd have to add Naji Marshall or Caleb Martin.

No matter how you look at it: any trade would almost destroy team that LeBron is going to end up in trade

But we’ve only considered teams that interest LeBron. What about others?

Third, there are practically none. No one wants to sacrifice their future for a guy approaching retirement.

Scoop B Robinson reported that four teams reached out to Rich Paul for information.

Two of them were, in fact, Dallas and Cleveland.

The third was Golden State. The Warriors could offer Jimmy Butler, but the Lakers don’t want another veteran — even a younger one.

There are rumors of interest from the Clippers, but they'd have to give up half their rotation (with Leonard and Harden being untouchable).

If a team like Charlotte, Chicago, or Brooklyn decided to give up half its roster for a 40-year-old LeBron, he’d end up in a worse situation than with the Lakers — having to carry a G-League-level team to the playoffs.
That would be extremely difficult, even in the relatively “open” Eastern Conference.

 

plus if he can veto a trade, he doesn't have to go somewhere he doesn't want.

So he'll probably have to get over himself, and understand that teams are hamstrung in their desire to fulfill his every desire.

 

Whelp, there goes that pipe dream.
Guess we’ll have to settle for old man again on one leg come playoffs.