LeBron James Discussion: Not Returning To The Lakers

I see the big picture now why Mitch had to go. He was a great GM, but he wouldn't do these kinds of things, and today you HAVE to do these kinds of things. We were never going to sign any big name free agents with Mitch operating that way, our only hope were trades, like they reportedly tried to trade for Cousins right before being fired. With Magic and Rob, I feel like our chances of signing a big name went from never, to possible, and that in itself is huge.

 

I don't think being a 30-35 win team is as much of a hindrance when we're talking about top 10 NBA players (LeBron, George, maybe Westbrook), because they see themselves as so good, that they alone can add 20 wins or something. LeBron joins a 35 win team in the East, they instantly become a Finals contender. He joins a 35 win team in the West, instant playoff spot contender. He joins a 35 win team with another star or superstar, that team becomes a possible contender. Depends what other star, and who is left on that roster, but that is the power of stars in the NBA, as opposed to every other sport, one you can change your whole team.

 

I hear you. My main point is that we've got to show something we've yet to see thus far: competitiveness. We're going to have to prove we're worth it and I think the Lakers are doing that so far, but there's a lot of time left that needs to continue. I'm hoping we get into that 30-40 win range because like you said, a great player looks at that range and thinks "okay I can get them up to 40-50 wins which is the playoffs and another guy gets us to 45-55 wins which is contending and" etc etc.

 

No I agree, we have a lot to show, absolutely. But LeBron, for one, looks at a team and sees the pieces of what it can be. Cleveland was garbage before he went back, but they had Irving, and they had the #1 pick. If Ingram can make a big leap, and if Ball can surprise with early impact, we definitely look more attractive than we have in a while. Big "if"s for sure, but seeing the hype around Ball this summer and the buzz he's created, and the praise Ingram got from one summer league game, I'm seeing the difference from an outside perspective between the players we have getting free agents excited right now, and the D'Angelo Russell's of the world. The way I'm looking at it, if these stars see the Lakers and that's where they want to be, they see all the cap space we have and nice young pieces, then that's where they will go and figure out the rest after they get here (if not before they come).

 

It's not what you know. it's what you can prove.

 

Because . . . LA!

 

I think we're allowed to talk to LeBron's agent, just not LeBron. If Rich Paul is contacting Magic and Rob and wants to talk, and LeBron happens to come up, I don't think that's on our FO technically. There has to be stuff like this going on all the time that's not technically tampering, like the players plotting being the scenes to play together.

 

I don't think our record means anything to him. He went to Cleveland and they had the 1st overall pick every year he was gone. He's been to the Finals 7 straight years. He's looking at the parts we have and how they mesh with him, as well as location. I'm sure he feels he can take any team to the Finals.

 

I'm with you. Like I said: I think LeBron coming here would happen if he was a FA today. We've got that sort of positive buzz around us. He'd then probably encourage us to gut the team by trading for other guys, but I think we've got that sort of interest. I guess my larger point is that our buzz will dissipate over the off-season. We won't stay on everyone's mind forever. Hell with Summer League gone, interest is already going to start to wane. It's on the guys to put together a fun, productive team that other guys will look at and say "okay that's what we're trying to be a part of". I think we will, but it's got to be accomplished first. These next couple of months are going to be vital for their development.

All that said, yes the vibe is 100% different not just within the organization but from without too. Gone are the horrible stories, gone are the phone mishaps, gone are the bumbling ownership group and fumbling FO. We're back in a positive light for the first time in what feels like a decade. It's a strange feeling. I wish the season started now so we could just ride this wave.

 

It's a fair point, but if we win 20 games again next season, he's going to wonder if we've got the goods in these young guys to impact the game positively. We're not his hometown and he's only getting older, I don't think he'll be patient with his next destination. If he feels Ingram/Ball aren't ready, he'll either not come or he'll just demand they be flipped for a veteran piece. At least one of them. There's a ton of pressure on these kids to show out and give the FAs of 2018 a reason to come here. That's good pressure for these youngsters.

 

No, we definitely need to look decent and not garbage. I think the additions of Lopez and KCP help with that, and I think if Ball and Ingram can play anything close to summer league it will keep eyes on us and buzz around us. I also think Magic will continue to be the pitch man that he is and pump us up, keep talking about how we're back even if it's not true. The culture change in those regards is real, there's confidence and positivity in the front office, as opposed to blatant denial and fear, and the young kids are pumped going into this season. Ball doesn't hold back when it comes to him being all about winning, Ingram is ready to take a big step forward, hopefully Randle is too, and hopefully some of what Kuzma did in SL is able to carry over. I think if Paul George is dead set on coming here though, that's also a huge thing to have in our pocket.

 

Well I trust this guy over both of your guys

 

The best part is, he's going to speed up the learning process of Ball, Ingram, and any other youngsters we have.

And yes, I feel gross talking about him positively.

 

It makes me sick, but I'm trying to prepare myself, because it feels like a possibility now, and I'll never stop rooting for the Lakers. If LeBron comes here I can stomach it as long as he doesn't gut the team to bring in his players. No trading Ingram for a Kevin Love type. If Ingram and Ball stay, I'll be ok. I think..