The biggest prize this summer in free agency is undoubtedly Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James. Still considered by most to be the best player in the NBA, many teams are lining up to ensure they have the necessary salary cap space to offer him, including the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers, of course, have plans on opening up two max-salary slots as president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka would love to nab James and potentially team him up with someone like Paul George or DeMarcus Cousins.
The question is whether James would be interested in joining the Lakers. In a recent appearance on ESPN L.A. Radio, Chris Haynes told host Jorge Sedano that James wouldn’t rule out the Lakers as a potential destination:
.@ChrisBHaynes tells us now on @ESPNLosAngeles if these teams had a max slot LeBron would listen to them b/c he respects them. Teams are the Warriors, Spurs, & less so the Heat (b/c he's been there done that). Wouldn't rule out Lakers, Cavs & Rockets. No Clippers.
— Jorge Sedano (@SedanoESPN) February 1, 2018
The idea that James could join a team like the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, or Houston Rockets has to be scary for the rest of the league. Nonetheless, the Lakers being listed among those, all of which are playoff teams, shows that the franchise is indeed still attractive to potential free agents.
It would be very difficult for the Lakers to offer what some of these other teams could, as they are true championship contenders while the Lakers aren’t even a playoff team. But if they manage bring in another star, it perhaps could sway LeBron.
James signing with the Lakers still seems like a long shot at this point, but the fact that the team is even being mentioned as a possibility is a positive sign.
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