Can We Talk LeBron Yet?

[SkyHook]

Are the Lakers wanting open cap space for the summer of 2026 or 2027, which is the priority? I've seen both mentioned.

[nykballa2k4]

It seems like a lot would have to change for LBJ to consider re-signing with the Lakers next season. He's floated retiring multiple times over the last couple seasons. We're at the where do I want to finish my career part of his journey.

I think I know where LeBron wants to finish his career.
I think he wants to finish his career on an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas where he gets some deal to be part-owner.


I just don't know when expansion is happening, if it's next offseason then yeah LeBron knows and that's why he opted in. We shall see.
But if it's 2027 then I absolutely expect LeBron to be on Lakers in 26-27. He will wait it out there until expansion.

That’s crazy enough to be true. Will take his Nepo bay with him wherever he goes.

As much as Bronny is a nepo baby, he is a legitimate bench NBA prospect. The question will be how much will he hurt his team by perhaps overpaying bronny. Interestingly enough, if Bronny were a good player (worth 12M) and he were to sign for the league minimum, LeBron as owner, might be able to stay below the tax line, meaning they could collude to make more than an NBA contract would pay (11.5 was the payout per team last year).

[eitanr]

In reading all the tea leaves, if there is a trade partner, I could see Miami. LeBron is going to want to go full circle on this journey and I just can't see Cleveland accepting him back..again...and holding their franchise in jeopardy.

This is so Pat Riley to consider.

The Heat never seemed in love with Herro, despite his recent all star appearance, and he would feel like the guy the Lakers covet. Miami won't move him so easily, but I could also see them not minding some massive cap coming off the books next season and shifting to being an FA destination, if things fail for Lebron back with Heat.

Wiggins, Herro FOR LeBron, Knecht, Milton, future LAL 1st

Why for Miami: The move would give the Heat a legit chance at winning the east in a weak conference. If things go well for Miami, they can be players at the deadline and upgrade. They also set themselves up to make this a 2 year stint, because they would have $90M or so in cap space and could potentially convince Durant to join James as a last hoorah for one more season. As an FYI, Luka is also a free agent next off season...if things go really awry for both teams, who knows. Miami has banked on FA plays in past.

Knecht gives Miami another needed shooter after losing Duncan. The future 1st is necc compensation to get back given they lose Herro here.

Why for LAL: Herro/Reeves/Luka 1/2/3 in whatever range you like is def interesting. Likely not ideal given the lack of defense, but interesting. Herro and Reeves both play similar roles here, essentially giving Luka additional offensive options to carry the load, space and have an offense run through them occasionally. Wiggins can fill in as a small ball 4.

Pelinka needs a lobotomy if he trades LeBron for Wiggins and Herro and adds Knecht and a 1st in that deal.

Probably no pick. But if he wants any value, I don’t see a better talent than Herro


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[Slava]

In reading all the tea leaves, if there is a trade partner, I could see Miami. LeBron is going to want to go full circle on this journey and I just can't see Cleveland accepting him back..again...and holding their franchise in jeopardy.

This is so Pat Riley to consider.

The Heat never seemed in love with Herro, despite his recent all star appearance, and he would feel like the guy the Lakers covet. Miami won't move him so easily, but I could also see them not minding some massive cap coming off the books next season and shifting to being an FA destination, if things fail for Lebron back with Heat.

Wiggins, Herro FOR LeBron, Knecht, Milton, future LAL 1st

Why for Miami: The move would give the Heat a legit chance at winning the east in a weak conference. If things go well for Miami, they can be players at the deadline and upgrade. They also set themselves up to make this a 2 year stint, because they would have $90M or so in cap space and could potentially convince Durant to join James as a last hoorah for one more season. As an FYI, Luka is also a free agent next off season...if things go really awry for both teams, who knows. Miami has banked on FA plays in past.

Knecht gives Miami another needed shooter after losing Duncan. The future 1st is necc compensation to get back given they lose Herro here.

Why for LAL: Herro/Reeves/Luka 1/2/3 in whatever range you like is def interesting. Likely not ideal given the lack of defense, but interesting. Herro and Reeves both play similar roles here, essentially giving Luka additional offensive options to carry the load, space and have an offense run through them occasionally. Wiggins can fill in as a small ball 4.

Pelinka needs a lobotomy if he trades LeBron for Wiggins and Herro and adds Knecht and a 1st in that deal.

Probably no pick. But if he wants any value, I don’t see a better talent than Herro


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Lakers need two picks, one to take on Wiggins and another as value for LeBron as I don’t see Pelinka resigning Herro and wasting his 2027 cap.

[R-DAWG]

The more I think about it, LeBron returning to Miami for one last run makes a lot of sense. Miami’s trying to keep a window open that has most likely closed. Lebrons trying to keep his window open as the Lakers prioritize the long term around Luka over the short term with LeBron.

LeBron is still a top-12 player, and the East is wide open. The math is very easy here with Wiggins and Rozier - and I can see the Lakers viewing Wiggins as a long term fit as a two way way next to Luka going forward.

Miami would have a starting lineup of:
Mitchell-Herro-Highsmith-James-Bam

With a bench featuring;
Powell-Jacquez-Jovic-Ware

Considering how good their coach is and how they always find rotation pieces, and how wide open the east is, I could see this team in the finals.

Frankly, if I’m Miami I’d love to keep Wiggins next to Lebron (the trade would have to be Powell, Highsmith and Rozier for cap purposes, and can’t be completed until Sept)

But this kind of feels like a potentially fun closing chapter for LeBron - reuniting with Spo and Riley to see if two windows that are closing can be extended.

[R-DAWG]

Pelinka needs a lobotomy if he trades LeBron for Wiggins and Herro and adds Knecht and a 1st in that deal.

Probably no pick. But if he wants any value, I don’t see a better talent than Herro


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Lakers need two picks, one to take on Wiggins and another as value for LeBron as I don’t see Pelinka resigning Herro and wasting his 2027 cap.

If the Lakers want expirings and not Wiggins, the deal needs to be Highsmith, Powell and Rozier and the deal can’t be completed until Sept for cap rules. Then you need to figure out the draft equity.

Mitchell-Herro-Wiggins-LeBron-Bam
Jakucious-Jacquez—Fontecchio-Jovic-Ware

Coached by Spo

This team could win the east.

[KdoubleDees23]

I think I know where LeBron wants to finish his career.
I think he wants to finish his career on an NBA expansion team in Las Vegas where he gets some deal to be part-owner.


I just don't know when expansion is happening, if it's next offseason then yeah LeBron knows and that's why he opted in. We shall see.
But if it's 2027 then I absolutely expect LeBron to be on Lakers in 26-27. He will wait it out there until expansion.

That’s crazy enough to be true. Will take his Nepo bay with him wherever he goes.

As much as Bronny is a nepo baby, he is a legitimate bench NBA prospect. The question will be how much will he hurt his team by perhaps overpaying bronny. Interestingly enough, if Bronny were a good player (worth 12M) and he were to sign for the league minimum, LeBron as owner, might be able to stay below the tax line, meaning they could collude to make more than an NBA contract would pay (11.5 was the payout per team last year).

No he is not, dude is not an NBA player.

[jbk1234]

Probably no pick. But if he wants any value, I don’t see a better talent than Herro


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Lakers need two picks, one to take on Wiggins and another as value for LeBron as I don’t see Pelinka resigning Herro and wasting his 2027 cap.

If the Lakers want expirings and not Wiggins, the deal needs to be Highsmith, Powell and Rozier and the deal can’t be completed until Sept for cap rules. Then you need to figure out the draft equity.

Mitchell-Herro-Wiggins-LeBron-Bam
Jakucious-Jacquez—Fontecchio-Jovic-Ware

Coached by Spo

This team could win the east.

I'm really surprised by how high people are on Heat's roster. I don't have them as one player away or even close to one player away.

[MadNESS]

It’ll be LeBron to GSW, with a 3rd or 4th team involved.

[Diop]

Lebron should put his ego aside a bit. He's a 40 year old man, of course its Doncic's team now. Be the secondary ball handler, starting power forward and help Lakers win another Championship, it will still help your "legacy". Be the Kareem to Doncic's Magic.

[JRoy]

Ugh the next few months are gonna suck for Laker fans. Now we gotta deal with this drama as the vultures circle hoping to pick our carcass clean praying that we buyout LeBron and essentially commit franchise suicide for no reason. Then do it all over again next offseason if Luka doesn’t sign his extension as soon as he’s able and gotta deal with “better trade Luka for anything you can get before we bolts like DHo!” taunts.

Boo hoo.

Luka and LeBron how will you survive?

[Knicks365247]

Buy out and he comes to the Knicks.

Mitchell/Towns/LeBron/OG/Brunson
With super 6th/7th men Bridges and Hart

[TheShow2021]

Buy out and he comes to the Knicks.

Mitchell/Towns/LeBron/OG/Brunson
With super 6th/7th men Bridges and Hart

Is Lebron allowed to give all $52 million back to the Lakers?

[zimpy27]

Are the Lakers wanting open cap space for the summer of 2026 or 2027, which is the priority? I've seen both mentioned.

Quite clearly 2027.

There isn't any strong FAs in 2026 besides Luka and Reaves. So keeping these 2 will be the priority.

[zimpy27]

Lebron should put his ego aside a bit. He's a 40 year old man, of course its Doncic's team now. Be the secondary ball handler, starting power forward and help Lakers win another Championship, it will still help your "legacy". Be the Kareem to Doncic's Magic.

I mean LeBron was better last season for the Lakers and in the playoffs for the Lakers.
I think Luka needs to step us his game and conditioning this season to really take over the team from LeBron.

I don't think LeBron minds this, was waiting for Davis to take the step up. All LeBron is annoyed about is the Lakers not prioritising winning now. It's not to do with Luka other than Pelinka thinking a plan to add a free agent in 2027 is going to be the lure to get Luka to stay. THat plan involves hamstringing oneself to only giving 2-year deals out this FA period.

[zimpy27]

Lebron should put his ego aside a bit. He's a 40 year old man, of course its Doncic's team now. Be the secondary ball handler, starting power forward and help Lakers win another Championship, it will still help your "legacy". Be the Kareem to Doncic's Magic.

I mean LeBron was better last season for the Lakers and in the playoffs for the Lakers.
I think Luka needs to step us his game and conditioning this season and if he does then, yeah, he will take over the team from LeBron.

I don't think LeBron minds this, was waiting for Davis to take the step up. All LeBron is annoyed about is the Lakers not prioritising winning now. It's not to do with Luka other than Pelinka thinking a plan to add a free agent in 2027 is going to be the lure to get Luka to stay. THat plan involves hamstringing oneself to only giving 2-year deals out this FA period.

[zimpy27]

Also, if Lakers trade LeBron then I think Luka is certainly gone in 2026. I don't think Lakers trade LeBron.

[doogie_hauser]

Are the Lakers wanting open cap space for the summer of 2026 or 2027, which is the priority? I've seen both mentioned.

Quite clearly 2027.

There isn't any strong FAs in 2026 besides Luka and Reaves. So keeping these 2 will be the priority.

Reaves is not and probably never will be an all star and would be looking for a super max extension at the end of 2026 ?

He definitely isn't a piece you can build alongside Luka in future contention for at least his asking price under the current (and annoying) CBA.

The NBA unlike the MLB has a hard cap that doesn't let wealthy teams over spend their less affluent opponents any more.

Pelinka and the Lakers front office overrated Reaves significantly imho

[Texas Chuck]

REaves isn't supermax eligible. Inventing a narrative to then accuse Pelinka of overrating him significantly is weird. Is his impact far more than his current salary? Yes. Ergo, valuable. We don't have to go any further than this lol.

[RCM88x]

Lakers need two picks, one to take on Wiggins and another as value for LeBron as I don’t see Pelinka resigning Herro and wasting his 2027 cap.

If the Lakers want expirings and not Wiggins, the deal needs to be Highsmith, Powell and Rozier and the deal can’t be completed until Sept for cap rules. Then you need to figure out the draft equity.

Mitchell-Herro-Wiggins-LeBron-Bam
Jakucious-Jacquez—Fontecchio-Jovic-Ware

Coached by Spo

This team could win the east.

I'm really surprised by how high people are on Heat's roster. I don't have them as one player away or even close to one player away.

Not to mention Lebron isn't a "one player away" player anymore.

Ceiling for that roster is play-in/first round exit. Spo is great but he's not that great.