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So already you see LeBron's people putting out stories in the media, trying to shape the narrative and setting the table for a possible split with the Lakers.

Where do you think he ends up?

Lebron loves storylines and the best storyline + chance to win a chip would be to go back to Cleveland in the compromised east but that would require a buy out.

If not then you've got potential trades to either New York, Dallas, Miami and Golden State.

He could also play out the year and do as he pleases next off season but that contradicts his wish of competing for a ring these last couple of years he has.

He could also play the first half of the year, see where the lakers are at and if things aren't going well get traded at the deadline or bought out.

Where do yo think he ends up? Answer the poll and elaborate with a post if you'd like to.

I doubt he is going anywhere, where is the market for him? He will retire a Laker...

Stays with Lakers until next offseason. then signs below max for a contender next summer.

This whole LeBron wants to compete for a championship is a farce. LeBron is quite literally playing with the best player he's ever played with and if he had taken a pay cut, there was an opportunity to not only open up the MLE and BAE, but also bring back DFS. Would Lakers worry bout their 2027 cap space plans later if they knew they could have had that type offseason? Probably.

This whole thing is about LeBron staying relevant like he does every summer. This is about him exerting his power. Only this time he's not able to. Lakers are ready to get out of the LeBron business. LeBron is proving them right. But they both need each other. On media day both sides will state how they have no idea where those rumors came about but they're focused on winning.

He ends up continuing to live rent free in many minds.

This isn't a Bron bashing or Lebron Stan bashing thread let's stay on topic. Genuinely curious as to what you guys think, looks almost certain that theres gonna be a split lets see who can predict it most accurately.

It's almost a 100% certainty Lebron starts on the season on the Lakers, but I actually think there's a good chance he and the Lakers agree to a buyout after the trade deadline. By then, most of the money would be paid already for and having dead salary on their books wouldn't matter as much anymore.

Maybe if Luka goes down injured and the Lakers want to tank Lebron gets bought out or traded.

facothomas22 wrote:It's almost a 100% certainty Lebron starts on the season on the Lakers, but I actually think there's a good chance he and the Lakers agree to a buyout after the trade deadline. By then, most of the money would be paid already for and having dead salary on their books wouldn't matter as much anymore.

That would be the worst option because then he can't sign with any team in either apron, which will be most of the competitive teams.

There is a bit of smoke, but I don't think there will be a fire. He stays in LA and retires a Laker next season. I can't imagine any scenario where acquiring him wouldn't be detrimental to the receiving teams roster, UNLESS he is bought out and signs for pennies on the dollar with another team.

Washington

JujitsuFlip wrote:

facothomas22 wrote:It's almost a 100% certainty Lebron starts on the season on the Lakers, but I actually think there's a good chance he and the Lakers agree to a buyout after the trade deadline. By then, most of the money would be paid already for and having dead salary on their books wouldn't matter as much anymore.

That would be the worst option because then he can't sign with any team in either apron, which will be most of the competitive teams.

There's a few teams that's expected to be under the 1st apron that are contenders or would be contenders once Lebron is added to the team. The Nuggets, Clippers, and Warriors come to mind. There been rumors for years that Lebron wanted to play with Stephen Curry. He wouldn't even have to move out of the city if he joins the Clippers. The Nuggets are already true contenders, so adding Lebron would make title favorites most likely. Maybe Lebron can even do something unthinkable and sign with the Bucks or the Spurs depending how they look. So there's options for Lebron if he waits until after the trade deadline to ask for a buyout that doesn't involve settling for a lesser team.

Unless the Lakers' season goes extremely poorly (injuries), LeBron is 99.9% likely to stay with the Lakers until the end of the season.

I expect LeBron to sign with (in order of preference) Cleveland, Golden St, Dallas, or New York. Teams with an outside chance would be Miami, San Antonio, and Denver.

He'll end up doing interview specials on ESPN

"Now Shai, me being the best player in history I feel a certain connection with all you've accomplished so let me ask you this; how much do you think I influenced your career".

Probably stays in LA until next year.

If traded, Miami would make the most sense. He’d be the primary play maker and have good enough role players around him to make it out of the East without being accused of stacking the deck or being carried by another star. It would be weird to see him retire with a 4th team he has no history with.

facothomas22 wrote:

JujitsuFlip wrote:

facothomas22 wrote:It's almost a 100% certainty Lebron starts on the season on the Lakers, but I actually think there's a good chance he and the Lakers agree to a buyout after the trade deadline. By then, most of the money would be paid already for and having dead salary on their books wouldn't matter as much anymore.

That would be the worst option because then he can't sign with any team in either apron, which will be most of the competitive teams.

There's a few teams that's expected to be under the 1st apron that are contenders or would be contenders once Lebron is added to the team. The Nuggets, Clippers, and Warriors come to mind. There been rumors for years that Lebron wanted to play with Stephen Curry. He wouldn't even have to move out of the city if he joins the Clippers. The Nuggets are already true contenders, so adding Lebron would make title favorites most likely. Maybe Lebron can even do something unthinkable and sign with the Bucks or the Spurs depending how they look. So there's options for Lebron if he waits until after the trade deadline to ask for a buyout that doesn't involve settling for a lesser team.

Warriors only have 8 guys under contract at the moment lol they have some stuff to figure out.

Clippers currently have space, not sure they will by February, it'll be close.

I doubt he joins the kids in San Antonio.

Swindle wrote:Probably stays in LA until next year.

If traded, Miami would make the most sense. He’d be the primary play maker and have good enough role players around him to make it out of the East without being accused of stacking the deck or being carried by another star. It would be weird to see him retire with a 4th team he has no history with.

I doubt he'd waive his NTC for Miami.

I am still hopeful he pulls a STAT and Paul Pierce and signs a 1 day contract with the Cavs, it is the only thing that makes sense. Finish where he started.

I think he plays in LA this season

Lebron has far bigger things to worry about right now, like the fact that Drake got his Lebron tattoo covered with an SGA one…

He may never recover from this.