Lebron should take his talents to this surprising Eastern Conference team

By Lachlan Gault / Roar Rookie

After the news broke today of Kyrie’s requested trade, LeBron looks a certainty to depart next summer. With much speculation around what could be a league-altering move, where should LeBron take his talents?

There is one team that shouldn’t be overlooked as a quality landing spot. And no, it’s not the Lakers.

Instead of heading to California, he should be heading to Wisconsin to play for the Bucks.

A team that hasn’t been past the first round of the playoffs since 2000-01 might seem like an odd fit, but here’s why it works.

It is clear that LeBron’s mindset is win now. He is performing at career-high levels and is the best player in the league. Wasting these years with a team that cannot compete with the Warriors is not an option. With Kyrie likely to leave, the Cavs have the feel of a team in decline. By hard capping themselves they are unable to provide LeBron with a roster to tackle whomever emerges from the West.

The Lakers have appeared to be readying themselves for a run at LeBron next summer. They have a slew of young players and recent lottery picks, importantly they have the cap space. Unfortunately for the Lakers, they reside in the West.

If LeBron truly is chasing that ghost in Chicago, the only currency that closes the gap is rings. And the best chance he has is while he plays in the East.

(Image: NBA)

Following a migration of all star talent from east to west this past offseason, the conferences have become even more lopsided. With such a large shift in an already uneven conference system, it could be argued that five of the leagues six best teams reside in the West.

This is where the Bucks come in. With the addition of LeBron, the Bucks immediately become the best team in the Central Division and the Eastern Conference. In the beefed up West there is no guarantee LeBron makes the finals, in the East he stretches his record to eight consecutive trips.

Getting into the finals is one thing but beating whichever monster emerges from the west is another. LeBron will need a roster of shooters, ball handlers and some superstar level talent if he intends on adding to his three rings. Should he go to Milwaukee the Bucks will possess the top two offensive and defensive threats in the conference.

Of all players in the East, they have the highest value over replacement (VOR) and both rank top ten in win shares (IT is the only other top ten entrant from the East). While LeBron remains firmly in his prime, Giannis Antetokounmpo has been improving every season in the league headlined by a most improved award last season.

(Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

The ability of both players to handle the ball and supreme driving abilities will provide even more open shots for the rest of the side. Each of these players shot above 40 per cent from three-point range last season, except Maker who shot a respectable 37.8 per cent. The Bucks have also made some savvy moves in the draft, collecting two valuable three point threats.

Although the narrative for years is that this is the year LeBron slows down. But year after year he continues to prove this narrative wrong. Maybe not this season but in the coming years his age and basketball minutes will catch up with him (surely they have to at some point). When (or if) this does happen, the rise of the otherworldly Greek Freak will keep LeBron in contention for years to come.

If LeBron wants to be with a team and an organisation that will put him in a position to win, he should look no further than the Bucks.

The Crowd Says:

2017-07-26T23:59:30+00:00

Chris Kettlewell

Roar Guru


He already owns a home in LA too. (There was something about some racist vandalism of his LA home at some point during the playoffs). So surely that adds to the idea that LA is somewhere he'd like to be.

2017-07-23T13:52:26+00:00

Lachie Abbott

Roar Pro


Great read Lachlan, the Bucks would definitely be a fun destination for almost any all star free agent. Leaving the open scenario in the East would be hard for LeBron to do, however, the dots are lining up for him to play in Los Angeles for the Lakers next season. It's the perfect retirement home and location to set-up his post-career future as well as prove himself to the world yet again in getting to the finals in one of the most stacked conferences in NBA history. His close family were against the return to Cleveland and will push him to go out West. I'm set on him playing with Lonzo and PG in L.A., provided the Lakers can make a few nice moves during the season to get some ready made superstars in exchange for young talent. How about Randle, Ingram and a 2021 first rounder to the Knicks for Melo?

2017-07-23T07:52:27+00:00

no one in particular

Roar Guru


He'll be 33 after next season. He'll go to a contender, it will be his last chance to play a leading role in a title. Any other ideas are fanciful

AUTHOR

2017-07-23T01:20:13+00:00

Lachlan Gault

Roar Rookie


Yeh I agree, I don't have them pegged as anything more than a fringe 8 seed next season. Very hard to turn around a team culture of losing. I was more alluding to their eventual rise, they have some promising talents as you mentioned and they seem positioned as well as anyone (bar the celtics) to be the team in the next 4 years or so.

AUTHOR

2017-07-23T01:18:09+00:00

Lachlan Gault

Roar Rookie


Thanks Craig, the offseason is great for speculation. The Bucks may not be the front runner but many teams will que for a meeting with LeBron if (or when) he decides to leave

2017-07-23T01:11:39+00:00

joe

Guest


I wouldn't be too confident about the rise of the 76ers, maybe a rise from a 25 win team to a 7th seed if they're lucky in a couple of years. In theory they have potential,in reality its a trainwreck Embied is amazing but rarely plays.Simmons is still an unknown quantity & hasn't played,Fulz is another unknown quantity who has yet to play. I hope they get it together it would be potentially very exciting to watch But Philadelphia is a long way from being a legitimate contender, even in the lousy Eastern Conference

AUTHOR

2017-07-22T22:15:53+00:00

Lachlan Gault

Roar Rookie


I think the obsession comes from LeBrons need for titles. The cavs have put themselves in a position where they have mortgaged their future by trading assets and young talent to win now. The issue is the team they have built probably won't beat whoever comes out of the western conference. He needs a better situation if he wants to add to his titles and Cleveland have minimal cap flexibility, no rising rookies and only a few more years of LeBrons prime. It's likely he could stay but there is an argument both ways

2017-07-22T22:04:01+00:00

Rossy

Roar Rookie


How about he stays in Cleveland and continues to attempt to build a team with the hometown fans and make amends for bolting to Miami last time? What's the obsession with 'he has to go somewhere'

AUTHOR

2017-07-22T21:13:44+00:00

Lachlan Gault

Roar Rookie


I really don't think he heads west. Why leave such a good situation in the east, he can be a perennial contender until the rise of the 76ers and the progression of the celts

AUTHOR

2017-07-22T21:12:17+00:00

Lachlan Gault

Roar Rookie


Do you think he leaves Cleveland?

2017-07-22T20:46:58+00:00

Craig

Guest


It's great finally having some regular basketball stories on here. As for lebron going to Milwaukee, it's doubtful for exciting if it happens.

2017-07-22T19:26:56+00:00

joe

Guest


It would be a good move from a basketball standpoint the Bucks are young,super athletic & need a veteran star to add to the mix if they're to be a legitimate contender However its extremely unlikely Lebron heads to Milwaukee, i can't see that happening

2017-07-22T18:32:14+00:00

Jeff dustby

Guest


Don't hold your breath

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