There is no better topic in basketball to discuss than the impending future of LeBron James. Where will he go next?
It could be the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, or maybe even to the Pittsburgh Steelers (nice try Juju Smith-Schuster).
All jokes aside we all know where LeBron is going to end up. Next season, LeBron will take his talents to… where he is right now, Akron Ohio. Before I tell you why he’s staying home, let’s go through the most popular options.
Houston Rockets
Things are looking great for the current number one seed in the West and I bet LeBron would love to play with his banana boat brother Chris Paul.
However he would be accused of ring chasing yet again and looking for the ‘easiest’ path to a championship. This move would only hurt his legacy and the Western conference is brutal.
It would be no easy feat getting to the NBA finals in the Western conference in his 15th year.
Los Angeles Lakers
We all know LeBron James likes a little bit of drama but La La Land would be too much even for him. Lavar Ball though entertaining is not worth the headache and the roster is simply just not talented enough yet.
Additionally if LeBron goes to the playoffs in the West only to get knocked out in the first or second round he will never hear the end of it.
Philadelphia 76ers
Is there a team with two young superstars you’d want more than Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons? Probably not but the former has not yet shown he can play a full season and the latter plays just like a young LeBron James who could work on his shooting.
Additionally is Markelle Fultz healthy yet? Has he fixed his jumper? No one knows unfortunately.
And finally there is the Cleveland Cavaliers. Why would LeBron stay? Easy, he can continue to dominate the East and keep going to the NBA finals.
If LeBron goes down as the greatest basketball player who ever lived, it will be because of longevity and his finals appearances – not because of the amount of rings he has.
So then why make the move? You know what they say, there’s no place like home.
express34texas
Guest
Hood is only 25, him being a year older is perfectly fine. James has basically been CLE's GM for several years now. This is the team he wanted. But, of course, being the high-excuse player that he is, it's still not his fault if they fail again. Will have to see if/when Love comes back, but hard to see CLE winning the title now. They should've kept Irving, but Irving saw the writing on the wall and got out when he could. The East is better this year, but I don't see any teams sticking out as true contenders except possibly CLE, so James should be able to lead his team to the Finals. CLE"s problem isn't offense either. They're a top offensive team. Their problem is defense, they're horribly defensively. And that starts with James and his lackluster approach to the regular season often, plus his defense has been shoddy for years now. He needs to set the example defensively. I doubt they'd be an elite defensive team, but they should be a lot better than what they are.
Xavier Paula
Roar Rookie
I still see LeBron going to the Finals this year. Boston doesn't have enough offense and I don't trust Toronto.
astro
Guest
Previously, I was also pretty sure he'd stay in Cleveland...now, not so much. The Cavs trade line moves haven't worked, and going forward, they have little roster flexibility to improve things. Ty Lue isn't the greatest coach, Love keeps getting injured, Thompson and Smith are tied to massive contracts no one will touch, they cant afford to pay Hood and Korver will be another year older. This idea that he can keep walking into the Finals, in the East is no longer true. The Cavs wont make it this year, and next year the Celts will have Hayward back, the Raps will still be good, and the Bucks or Sixers might make a leap. No clue where he goes, but re-signing in Cleveland seems crazy, especially as he has a perfectly legitimate excuse to leave now (ie. Gilbert trading Kyrie). The teams named here seem the most likely candidates, but I wouldn't bet on any of them keeping their current roster, should they land Lebron. Could the Sixers trade Fultz for Cousins? Could the Lakers land George also, and maybe move Lonzo (and Lavar) for veteran talent? All too soon to say, but my money is on Lebron walking...
Aaron Callaghan
Roar Rookie
I skim read however I'm convinced LBJ signs a 1 and 1 in Cleveland.
The Barnes family.
Guest
Number of rings is more important than the number of finals.