Thoughts in General, Random Rumors and Musings, Blah Blah 14.0 Eddie Najera Edicion

[Texas Chuck]

I mean the reality is that if Bronny wants to be a nepo baby, then Lebron will ensure he gets to LA and no team will get in the way of that. This idea that a team could simply draft him and think they could dictate to Lebron James is hilarious to me. Oh its fun to dream about as a fan and its great content for local bloggers/podcasters to sell their fanbase on a dream.

But Lebron will not be manipulated like that.

And my hope for Bronny is that he tells dad I want to try and make it on merit and he stays in school. I don't know the kid at all though so no idea what he wants.

Are you saying that no other team would grab Bronny before the Lakers could because it would not be worth the damage they’d do to their reputation with future free agents or the NBA in general? Even Cleveland?

Yeah, I am saying that. Lebron and Klutch aren't worth crossing. I mean do we really believe that if Washington or Charlotte draft Bronny, that Lebron goes well guess I'm playing there? Nobody can seriously believe that. And even if it were say Boston or New York, Lebron isn't letting them dictate to him. He's controlled his career every step and isn't going to change that now. And he's been pretty outspoken about understanding his place in the league and the importance of his own empowerment, and always playing for the max etc....

[shrink]

I mean the reality is that if Bronny wants to be a nepo baby, then Lebron will ensure he gets to LA and no team will get in the way of that. This idea that a team could simply draft him and think they could dictate to Lebron James is hilarious to me. Oh its fun to dream about as a fan and its great content for local bloggers/podcasters to sell their fanbase on a dream.

But Lebron will not be manipulated like that.

And my hope for Bronny is that he tells dad I want to try and make it on merit and he stays in school. I don't know the kid at all though so no idea what he wants.

Are you saying that no other team would grab Bronny before the Lakers could because it would not be worth the damage they’d do to their reputation with future free agents or the NBA in general?

I imagine they wouldn't do it because it wouldn't actually land them LeBron and Bronny at this point doesn't seem worth even a 2way.

You may be right, but I don’t know how to rate how valuable it is to LeBron to play with his son. As I understand, LeBron is the one who told the world that playing with his son was his dream. I can understand that.

It certainly could be seen as a hostage situation, and it is possible that a kidnapper’s demands are simply refused, whether that be for LeBron to come, or the Lakers to pay something in trade, in their perpetual goal of making LeBron happy. But kidnapping situations work economically because one side has something that is more valuable to the other. Bronny is more valuable elsewhere, and the NBA draft system does not allow him to choose where he ends up.

[oldncreaky]

I mean the reality is that if Bronny wants to be a nepo baby, then Lebron will ensure he gets to LA and no team will get in the way of that. This idea that a team could simply draft him and think they could dictate to Lebron James is hilarious to me. Oh its fun to dream about as a fan and its great content for local bloggers/podcasters to sell their fanbase on a dream.

But Lebron will not be manipulated like that.

And my hope for Bronny is that he tells dad I want to try and make it on merit and he stays in school. I don't know the kid at all though so no idea what he wants.

Are you saying that no other team would grab Bronny before the Lakers could because it would not be worth the damage they’d do to their reputation with future free agents or the NBA in general?

I imagine they wouldn't do it because it wouldn't actually land them LeBron and Bronny at this point doesn't seem worth even a 2way.

I could see a team that has too many picks and not enough roster spots drafting Bronny to try to get leverage on LAL, but yeah, most teams just wouldn't bother, especially not with first round picks. It's just not worth it.

[shrink]

I mean the reality is that if Bronny wants to be a nepo baby, then Lebron will ensure he gets to LA and no team will get in the way of that. This idea that a team could simply draft him and think they could dictate to Lebron James is hilarious to me. Oh its fun to dream about as a fan and its great content for local bloggers/podcasters to sell their fanbase on a dream.

But Lebron will not be manipulated like that.

And my hope for Bronny is that he tells dad I want to try and make it on merit and he stays in school. I don't know the kid at all though so no idea what he wants.

Are you saying that no other team would grab Bronny before the Lakers could because it would not be worth the damage they’d do to their reputation with future free agents or the NBA in general? Even Cleveland?

Yeah, I am saying that. Lebron and Klutch aren't worth crossing. I mean do we really believe that if Washington or Charlotte draft Bronny, that Lebron goes well guess I'm playing there? Nobody can seriously believe that. And even if it were say Boston or New York, Lebron isn't letting them dictate to him. He's controlled his career every step and isn't going to change that now. And he's been pretty outspoken about understanding his place in the league and the importance of his own empowerment, and always playing for the max etc....

You could be right here. But how much leverage does Klutch have on Washington and Charlotte? Klutch’s top clients aren’t going there for a while anyway. They aren’t getting the Crown Jewels regardless. Moreover, Brian Windhorst continually stresses that Rich Paul is all about business, not holding grudges, and his meetings last week with the Knicks Leon Rose seems to provide evidence for that.

I guess I see a middle ground between “LeBron doesn’t let people dictate,” and “LeBron is free to choose.” If BOS drafted Bronny, LeBron could decide for himself whether he preferred to stay with the Lakers, or go to BOS, play with Bronny, and improve his chances of a sixth ring to improve his spot in history.

Finally, if LeBron’s choice is to stay in LA, how much leverage does he put on the Lakers to trade for Bronny? Does he care about their 2031 1st? Does Jeannie Buss tell him no?

[loserX]

I mean Chuck is right, LeBron isn't going to Charlotte (or Utah either). And those teams aren't going to blow their pick on Bronny when they don't even really want him.

My hot-take guess is the Lakers figure out his approximate draft range and (slightly) overpay when Bronny's there on the board. The other team gets a little free value, and father and son end up together where everyone expects.

[HadAnEffectHere]

I mean Chuck is right, LeBron isn't going to Charlotte (or Utah either). And those teams aren't going to blow their pick on Bronny when they don't even really want him.

My hot-take guess is the Lakers figure out his approximate draft range and (slightly) overpay when Bronny's there on the board. The other team gets a little free value, and father and son end up together where everyone expects.

His draft range is undrafted.

[oldncreaky]

I mean Chuck is right, LeBron isn't going to Charlotte (or Utah either). And those teams aren't going to blow their pick on Bronny when they don't even really want him.

My hot-take guess is the Lakers figure out his approximate draft range and (slightly) overpay when Bronny's there on the board. The other team gets a little free value, and father and son end up together where everyone expects.

His draft range is undrafted.

If the Lakers buy a pick in the 50+ range from a team with too many picks, you will both be right

A quick scan shows me that Memphis, Philly, NYK and Indiana all have multiple SRPs in 2024, and none of those teams are going to have room on the roster for all those prospects

[NYG]

The Lakers just draft him with the Clippers 2nd

https://www.tankathon.com/full_draft

[HadAnEffectHere]

The Lakers just draft him with the Clippers 2nd

https://www.tankathon.com/full_draft

Yeah 57 is reasonable.

The question is whether LeBron would push to have him selected with their first.

[K_chile22]

Why are we assuming brony is declaring after a very chaotic season for him that is likely a low point

[165bows]

My hot-take guess is the Lakers figure out his approximate draft range and (slightly) overpay when Bronny's there on the board. The other team gets a little free value, and father and son end up together where everyone expects.

Right there is a big financial difference between top-20ish and a second round pick. I’d bet good money Lakers take Bronny somewhere inside the first two dozen picks.

Still wouldn’t surprise me if Lebron left after that though lol.

[Scoot McGroot]

I mean Chuck is right, LeBron isn't going to Charlotte (or Utah either). And those teams aren't going to blow their pick on Bronny when they don't even really want him.

My hot-take guess is the Lakers figure out his approximate draft range and (slightly) overpay when Bronny's there on the board. The other team gets a little free value, and father and son end up together where everyone expects.

His draft range is undrafted.

If the Lakers buy a pick in the 50+ range from a team with too many picks, you will both be right

A quick scan shows me that Memphis, Philly, NYK and Indiana all have multiple SRPs in 2024, and none of those teams are going to have room on the roster for all those prospects

If the Lakers send cash in any trade, they would hard cap themselves at the second apron for next season.

[Godaddycurse]

His draft range is undrafted.

If the Lakers buy a pick in the 50+ range from a team with too many picks, you will both be right

A quick scan shows me that Memphis, Philly, NYK and Indiana all have multiple SRPs in 2024, and none of those teams are going to have room on the roster for all those prospects

If the Lakers send cash in any trade, they would hard cap themselves at the second apron for next season.

they can trade future 2nd(s) for current 2nd(s) still right?

[shrink]

Why are we assuming brony is declaring after a very chaotic season for him that is likely a low point

True, I don’t think we can make any assumptions here.

On his merits alone, everything I’ve read is that he wouldn’t get drafted. Maybe he wants to reach the NBA on his own, and doesn’t want to be a nepo-kid. His game needs work that another year in college or the G-League might help provide. And unlike most other young ballers, he probably doesn’t need the paycheck.

On the other hand, the NBA is a very exclusive club, and most any kid whose dream has been to play in the NBA would hope for a way to get in. That door may close if LeBron only plays one more year. And who knows how much Bronny wants the experience of playing with his dad?

I don’t think we can really make any assumptions here.

[Devilanche]

If we are going for the range of wild guess of where LeBron might show up,

I would put forth OKC .

- He has been complementary about Presti before
https://www.espn.com.sg/nba/story/_/id/33329509/lebron-james-calls-oklahoma-city-thunder-gm-sam-presti-mvp-following-quiet-trade-deadline-los-angeles-lakers
-we have some money to throw
-we can buy picks to draft his son
-we might even develop his son
- that will make us the 4th team he can win a ring on and he will do it where Durant failed.


Even considering all the above , our chance of getting him is probably 0.0005%.

[Knicks365247]

I heard from LeBron’s barber’s cousin in law’s neighbor that he’s signing with the Thunder.

[cl2117]

Why are we assuming brony is declaring after a very chaotic season for him that is likely a low point

True, I don’t think we can make any assumptions here.

On his merits alone, everything I’ve read is that he wouldn’t get drafted. Maybe he wants to reach the NBA on his own, and doesn’t want to be a nepo-kid. His game needs work that another year in college or the G-League might help provide. And unlike most other young ballers, he probably doesn’t need the paycheck.

On the other hand, the NBA is a very exclusive club, and most any kid whose dream has been to play in the NBA would hope for a way to get in. That door may close if LeBron only plays one more year. And who knows how much Bronny wants the experience of playing with his dad?

I don’t think we can really make any assumptions here.

I think there's also the added complication of his heart condition, which might make him more inclined to get into the NBA sooner rather than later in case he has another issue and has to hang em up early.

[NYG]

Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, Tyler Herro, '24 Heat 1st and '30 Heat 1st = ??

[NYG]

Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, Tyler Herro, '24 Heat 1st and '30 Heat 1st = ??

Or is the answer just Caleb Martin and '24 Heat 1st for Caruso then Miami keeps Herro, Jovic and the '30 1st?

[NYG]

Who are the top 5 free agents that will be on a new team next year?