Lakers Decide to Move Lebron....Who Makes Sense?

[nzahir]

Orignally posted in the Lebron Thread and more of an imaginary scenario, but say the Lakers and Lebron agree it may be best to move on, what teams make the most sense for all sides?

Teams I can think of

GS: Sliding hard and they need massive changes. Either need to move Klay or a mix of Cp3, Wiggins, Draymond. I dont like it for Lebron tbh. Idk if he should play with Curry, just feels weird, but Lebron gets to stay in CA

Kings: Barnes, Lyles, Hurter and tons of picks for Lebron and Prince? Bron gets to stay in CA and Sac tries to become a real contender with a big 3 of Bron, Fox, and Sabonis. They also have Murray and Monk. Maybe try and get a defensive minded wing/sg like DFS or
Royce O neal? Also if they win anything, another huge legacy win for Lebron.

Phi: Gets to play with Embiid and Maxey. Become a legit contender. Makes a lot of sense. But PHI may also want to just keep a big 2 with depth and go get smaller guy like Caruso, Derozan, etc.

NY: Lebron finally goes to NY and the Knicks try to become a real contender. Randle and Fournier moved. Maybe try to move other picks for another guy. Brunson, DDV, OG, Bron, Hartenstein. Bench of Grimes, Hart, Precious/Robinson if he is back by playoffs?

Dal: They have Luka and Kyrie, but I think they would be too poor of a defense to do anything serious. Also a lot of guys who want the ball in their hands and lack of depth. Grant, Holmes, Kleber and picks

I think Phi, NY, or Sac make the most sense

Top teams in the west and east probably dont want such a big shake up. Obviously OKC would be great, but I think they want to see this core in the playoffs

[OxAndFox]

LAC - Because he isn't leaving LA.
And now he knows you trading him, he's going to make the best old man team of all time.
LeBron for Powell/Tucker/Mann

[winforlose]

Honestly I am not sure he is tradable right now. The price point LAL will set will be too high. Moreover, at 39 and with ankle issues the risk reward is too high for most contenders. In theory a team like Dallas or Indiana probably makes the most sense. Both are fringe enough to be in the conversation, but would benefit from someone of his talent and experience. I just think the rental price would be too high.

[Maverick41]

Just speaking as a fan of the game, Lebron to NY would be the most fun and would be the most helpful for his legacy if he wins a chip there.

[ThatBoyNick]

Wasn't his move to LA about setting up his family and life post-retirement? Why does he move across the country (with or away from) his young children? He's won the rings, he's accomplished everything he's wanted to on-court.

Assuming his family and post-career are in LA, and for some reason, LBJ and or the Lakers insist on parting... the Clippers?

LeBron for Paul George, Clips don't have to commit the salary to PG long term (they didn't extend him...), Balmer gets to hop around and scream about bringing the King the Inglewood or whatever, Lakers get the big name all-star in return.

[nzahir]

Honestly I am not sure he is tradable right now. The price point LAL will set will be too high. Moreover, at 39 and with ankle issues the risk reward is too high for most contenders. In theory a team like Dallas or Indiana probably makes the most sense. Both are fringe enough to be in the conversation, but would benefit from someone of his talent and experience. I just think the rental price would be too high.

Dallas could make some sense, but the defense wold likely be too poor to actually win anything

Meh to Indi. Fit is a bit weird with Siakam, but can work since Turner can space the floor

I dont think the asking price would be that high tbh

Something like a 1st and a decent role guy or 2? Going to obviously need some salaries, hopefully someone is useful there or has some value

[nzahir]

LAC - Because he isn't leaving LA.
And now he knows you trading him, he's going to make the best old man team of all time.
LeBron for Powell/Tucker/Mann

I just dont know if I can see that

Clippers are just the 2nd tier basketball team here

[winforlose]

Honestly I am not sure he is tradable right now. The price point LAL will set will be too high. Moreover, at 39 and with ankle issues the risk reward is too high for most contenders. In theory a team like Dallas or Indiana probably makes the most sense. Both are fringe enough to be in the conversation, but would benefit from someone of his talent and experience. I just think the rental price would be too high.

Dallas could make some sense, but the defense wold likely be too poor to actually win anything

Meh to Indi. Fit is a bit weird with Siakam, but can work since Turner can space the floor

I dont think the asking price would be that high tbh

Something like a 1st and a decent role guy or 2? Going to obviously need some salaries, hopefully someone is useful there or has some value

If LAL was willing to keep the price down the money matching would be interesting, but I think it would probably be a mid tier team that has interest. The Suns cannot afford it, the Kings don’t strike me as the one year rental type right now. The Bucks and Knicks could be interesting, but I would need to look at salary matching. My gut still says Indy as they are probably the most in the mood to take a risk. Hali, Lebron, Siakam, Turner, and anyone is a scary lineup. Especially if Lebron is mostly healthy come playoff time.

[ThatBoyNick]

Clippers are just the 2nd tier basketball team here

If one checks the standings, looks like the Lakers are the one in the 2nd tier. Literally, in the play-in tier with a sub .500 record while the Clips are top 5 in the league lol

You got the Kings listed on your OP as one of the teams that "makes the most sense" but can't see LeBron playing for the lowly Clippers organization, in the city wants to live in.

[nzahir]

Just speaking as a fan of the game, Lebron to NY would be the most fun and would be the most helpful for his legacy if he wins a chip there.

Feel like that would be a pretty cool moment for NY, him, and the league

Also they make sense from a fit perspective and I dont think he wold cost them a lot.

Randle and filler/fournier expiring plus a pick? Move Randle elsewhere to get more value?

NY still keeps majority of assets to use for another move/moves or down the line. Pushes them to a real contender

[nzahir]

Clippers are just the 2nd tier basketball team here

If one checks the standings, looks like the Lakers are the one in the 2nd tier. Literally, in the play-in tier with a sub .500 record while the Clips are top 5 in the league lol

You got the Kings listed on your OP as one of the teams that "makes the most sense" but can't see LeBron playing for the lowly Clippers organization, in the city wants to live in.

Dude the Lakers have 17 rings and the Clippers have 0 finals appearances, what are you talking about?

I didnt say what team is currently better. You would have to live in LA to get this maybe

The Kings dont play in Los Angeles and in the same arena. There would be some arguement here that the Kings are also the Lakers baby brother due to the early 2000s, but still a different city and arena

[nzahir]

Honestly I am not sure he is tradable right now. The price point LAL will set will be too high. Moreover, at 39 and with ankle issues the risk reward is too high for most contenders. In theory a team like Dallas or Indiana probably makes the most sense. Both are fringe enough to be in the conversation, but would benefit from someone of his talent and experience. I just think the rental price would be too high.

Dallas could make some sense, but the defense wold likely be too poor to actually win anything

Meh to Indi. Fit is a bit weird with Siakam, but can work since Turner can space the floor

I dont think the asking price would be that high tbh

Something like a 1st and a decent role guy or 2? Going to obviously need some salaries, hopefully someone is useful there or has some value

If LAL was willing to keep the price down the money matching would be interesting, but I think it would probably be a mid tier team that has interest. The Suns cannot afford it, the Kings don’t strike me as the one year rental type right now. The Bucks and Knicks could be interesting, but I would need to look at salary matching. My gut still says Indy as they are probably the most in the mood to take a risk. Hali, Lebron, Siakam, Turner, and anyone is a scary lineup. Especially if Lebron is mostly healthy come playoff time.

Why not the Kings?

They make a lot of sense

I dont think they are good enough to win it all and if it really only costs Barnes, Lyles, Huerter and say a 1st, why not take a shot?

I dont know if I see the fit on the Bucks, but they would be talented. Would cost Middleton assuming and a 1st+something small maybe?

Hmm that Indy team could honestly be solid. Good point

[ThatBoyNick]

Clippers are just the 2nd tier basketball team here

If one checks the standings, looks like the Lakers are the one in the 2nd tier. Literally, in the play-in tier with a sub .500 record while the Clips are top 5 in the league lol

You got the Kings listed on your OP as one of the teams that "makes the most sense" but can't see LeBron playing for the lowly Clippers organization, in the city wants to live in.

Dude the Lakers have 17 rings and the Clippers have 0 finals appearances, what are you talking about?

I didnt say what team is currently better. You would have to live in LA to get this maybe

The Kings dont play in Los Angeles and in the same arena. There would be some arguement here that the Kings are also the Lakers baby brother due to the early 2000s, but still a different city and arena

Could you explain to me what material difference it could potentially make to LeBron's life in comparing how many rings the Lakers have won over the Clippers, and then could you contrast that to the material difference of moving 6 hours away from his family to live in Sacramento (for another franchise with 0 rings)?

Maybe I would have to live in LA to get that

[winforlose]

Dallas could make some sense, but the defense wold likely be too poor to actually win anything

Meh to Indi. Fit is a bit weird with Siakam, but can work since Turner can space the floor

I dont think the asking price would be that high tbh

Something like a 1st and a decent role guy or 2? Going to obviously need some salaries, hopefully someone is useful there or has some value

If LAL was willing to keep the price down the money matching would be interesting, but I think it would probably be a mid tier team that has interest. The Suns cannot afford it, the Kings don’t strike me as the one year rental type right now. The Bucks and Knicks could be interesting, but I would need to look at salary matching. My gut still says Indy as they are probably the most in the mood to take a risk. Hali, Lebron, Siakam, Turner, and anyone is a scary lineup. Especially if Lebron is mostly healthy come playoff time.

Why not the Kings?

They make a lot of sense

I dont think they are good enough to win it all and if it really only costs Barnes, Lyles, Huerter and say a 1st, why not take a shot?

I dont know if I see the fit on the Bucks, but they would be talented. Would cost Middleton assuming and a 1st+something small maybe?

Hmm that Indy team could honestly be solid. Good point

The thing about Lebron is that you have to assume he is one and done. Maybe, you can talk him into a second year, but you cannot bank on it. So if you have that mindset, I think the Kings are much more in the build out rather than all in mode. They would want more long term pieces and improvement. I could be wrong, but that is the sense I get. As for Middleton, I am not sure the Lakers want to take on his money at this point. His production has fallen down and he isn’t getting any younger. I like the guy, but I think he is on the decline.

BTW, I checked on the Pacers and the money doesn’t really work. It would need to be a 4 for 1 and I just don’t think they would do it. This probably just leaves the Knicks with Fournier and Robinson. I could see a lineup of Brunson/DDV/OG/Lebron/Randle being undersized but formidable. Or you drop DDV, insert Lebron at SG and IH at C. Lebron is multi-positional so he can make just about anything work.

[Decipher]

He makes sense FOR the Sixers for Harris + but whether that makes sense for the Lakers is an entirely different issue

[nzahir]

If one checks the standings, looks like the Lakers are the one in the 2nd tier. Literally, in the play-in tier with a sub .500 record while the Clips are top 5 in the league lol

You got the Kings listed on your OP as one of the teams that "makes the most sense" but can't see LeBron playing for the lowly Clippers organization, in the city wants to live in.

Dude the Lakers have 17 rings and the Clippers have 0 finals appearances, what are you talking about?

I didnt say what team is currently better. You would have to live in LA to get this maybe

The Kings dont play in Los Angeles and in the same arena. There would be some arguement here that the Kings are also the Lakers baby brother due to the early 2000s, but still a different city and arena

Could you explain to me what material difference it could potentially make to LeBron's life in comparing how many rings the Lakers have won over the Clippers, and then could you contrast that to the material difference of moving 6 hours away from his family to live in Sacramento (for another franchise with 0 rings)?

Maybe I would have to live in LA to get that

The Lakers are a much larger fanbase and I am pretty sure Lebron cares about his image and having many fans

Going from the Lakers to the Clippers would lose him many fans since it is basically like a rival team, but in a sad way

This is important when it comes down to opinions on legacy, stupid or not

The Kings can be thought of in a similar light, but they are not in LA

[nzahir]

If LAL was willing to keep the price down the money matching would be interesting, but I think it would probably be a mid tier team that has interest. The Suns cannot afford it, the Kings don’t strike me as the one year rental type right now. The Bucks and Knicks could be interesting, but I would need to look at salary matching. My gut still says Indy as they are probably the most in the mood to take a risk. Hali, Lebron, Siakam, Turner, and anyone is a scary lineup. Especially if Lebron is mostly healthy come playoff time.

Why not the Kings?

They make a lot of sense

I dont think they are good enough to win it all and if it really only costs Barnes, Lyles, Huerter and say a 1st, why not take a shot?

I dont know if I see the fit on the Bucks, but they would be talented. Would cost Middleton assuming and a 1st+something small maybe?

Hmm that Indy team could honestly be solid. Good point

The thing about Lebron is that you have to assume he is one and done. Maybe, you can talk him into a second year, but you cannot bank on it. So if you have that mindset, I think the Kings are much more in the build out rather than all in mode. They would want more long term pieces and improvement. I could be wrong, but that is the sense I get. As for Middleton, I am not sure the Lakers want to take on his money at this point. His production has fallen down and he isn’t getting any younger. I like the guy, but I think he is on the decline.

BTW, I checked on the Pacers and the money doesn’t really work. It would need to be a 4 for 1 and I just don’t think they would do it. This probably just leaves the Knicks with Fournier and Robinson. I could see a lineup of Brunson/DDV/OG/Lebron/Randle being undersized but formidable. Or you drop DDV, insert Lebron at SG and IH at C. Lebron is multi-positional so he can make just about anything work.

I think Randle goes in the deal. Should have some value

I dont see a fit with Bron and Randle, they are the same position

Randle cant defend the 5 either

Randle, Fournier, small filler, and a 1st for Bron and Vincent?

If BKN wants to move Bridges, NY could go all in with many picks and swaps plus one of Hart or DDV and roll out something like

Brunson, Bridges, OG, Bron, Hartenstein
Vincent, Grimes, DDV/Hart, Robinson

[PistolPeteJR]

Honestly I am not sure he is tradable right now. The price point LAL will set will be too high. Moreover, at 39 and with ankle issues the risk reward is too high for most contenders. In theory a team like Dallas or Indiana probably makes the most sense. Both are fringe enough to be in the conversation, but would benefit from someone of his talent and experience. I just think the rental price would be too high.

So the guy who's now played more games than Embiid, Doncic, Curry, Durant, Haliburton, Irving and only 2 games less than Giannis and 3 games less than Jokic, Edwards and SGA is injury prone? The guy who's in the top-30 in MPG this year, playing more MPG than Leonard, SGA, Harden, George, Embiid, Jokic, etc? I can continue if you'd like. What ankle issues have hampered him seriously for extended periods of time this year? Even last year while hurt he still played very well, at worst top-15 or top-20. This year he's been better even.

What're you trading for a top-15, top-20 player with ATG championship experience who's still good enough to be top option on your team for the next, at minimum, 2 seasons?

[winforlose]

Honestly I am not sure he is tradable right now. The price point LAL will set will be too high. Moreover, at 39 and with ankle issues the risk reward is too high for most contenders. In theory a team like Dallas or Indiana probably makes the most sense. Both are fringe enough to be in the conversation, but would benefit from someone of his talent and experience. I just think the rental price would be too high.

So the guy who's now played more games than Embiid, Doncic, Curry, Durant, Haliburton, Irving and only 2 games less than Giannis and 3 games less than Jokic, Edwards and SGA is injury prone? The guy who's in the top-30 in MPG this year, playing more MPG than Leonard, SGA, Harden, George, Embiid, Jokic, etc? I can continue if you'd like. What ankle issues have hampered him seriously for extended periods of time this year? Even last year while hurt he still played very well, at worst top-15 or top-20. This year he's been better even.

What're you trading for a top-15, top-20 player with ATG championship experience who's still good enough to be top option on your team for the next, at minimum, 2 seasons?

I will break it down for you since you seem to be having trouble following.

1. Money matching is not easy in this situation.
2. The Lakers will try to extract a ton of value for Lebron.
3. He is 39 and there is no minimum 2 seasons involved. He could walk after this season.
4. Lebron is hurt every year now. How many injury reports has he been questionable. At 39 and his usage there is a high risk of injury. Teams renting him know it, and it adds to the complications.

[PistolPeteJR]

Honestly I am not sure he is tradable right now. The price point LAL will set will be too high. Moreover, at 39 and with ankle issues the risk reward is too high for most contenders. In theory a team like Dallas or Indiana probably makes the most sense. Both are fringe enough to be in the conversation, but would benefit from someone of his talent and experience. I just think the rental price would be too high.

So the guy who's now played more games than Embiid, Doncic, Curry, Durant, Haliburton, Irving and only 2 games less than Giannis and 3 games less than Jokic, Edwards and SGA is injury prone? The guy who's in the top-30 in MPG this year, playing more MPG than Leonard, SGA, Harden, George, Embiid, Jokic, etc? I can continue if you'd like. What ankle issues have hampered him seriously for extended periods of time this year? Even last year while hurt he still played very well, at worst top-15 or top-20. This year he's been better even.

What're you trading for a top-15, top-20 player with ATG championship experience who's still good enough to be top option on your team for the next, at minimum, 2 seasons?

I will break it down for you since you seem to be having trouble following.

1. Money matching is not easy in this situation.
2. The Lakers will try to extract a ton of value for Lebron.
3. He is 39 and there is no minimum 2 seasons involved. He could walk after this season.
4. Lebron is hurt every year now. How many injury reports has he been questionable. At 39 and his usage there is a high risk of injury. Teams renting him know it, and it adds to the complications.

Don't really appreciate the tone with, "you seem to be having trouble following", but okay, let's go.

1. You assume LAL will set the price "too high". You don't know that, neither do I.
2. You're still wrong for incorrectly evaluating him as being too risky a player RE: injuries, which is essentially what I was responding to before you went all high and mighty and made it about something I wasn't responding to. You just chose to ignore the facts I presented in the face of your claim.
3. Not sure how him going there for 2 years is a "rental". He's not going anywhere. He's clearly voiced multiple times that his goal is to play with his son. His son isn't coming this summer. He's not retiring this year. As for contemplating retirement last year, he's spoken about that and said he "has a lot left in the tank" in October, and in any case, he's not leaving $50mil on the table. So even if he was a rental, you're telling me a team like GS, PHI, NY, etc., won't move salary given it's not tough for them to in order to take on a player who's at absolute worst, top-15, top-20? Yeah, we can agree to disagree on this one if that's the case in your mind.
4. Philly, GS, NY, which are 3/5 teams OP mentioned, can all easily or somewhat easily make salaries work.