Thoughts on the NBA Future for LeBron
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Some reports have come out this afternoon that LeBron James may retire or he may consider leaving the Lakers for three other teams, the Warriors, Cavs or Clippers. Let’s discuss.
This is not a shock to me. Ever since the Lakers traded for Luka Doncic, you could see that they were going to start building the team around him. He is younger and he is a star. That is the game the Lakers have always played. They picked Kobe over Shaq. They drafted Magic Johnson to replace Kareem Abdul Jabaar. They brought in Pau Gasol to play with Kobe. They tried getting Gary Payton and Karl Malone a ring. That didn't happen, but Payton eventually got his. They tried bringing in Steve Nash and Dwight Howard. The Lakers are the biggest game hunters in the NBA. So when they shockingly acquired Luka, I'm sure Lebron and his team saw the writing on the wall. I don't think that's fair to the second greatest NBA player of all time, but this is the modern landscape in the NBA.
I should mention that LeBron has also said he wouldn't mind returning to the Lakers. But, if he wants out, I think that retirement may be the best option. Sure, going back to the Cavs would make for a great final season. He could reap all the benefits of a "farewell tour" and be on a team that should be competitive next season, especially in the East. But he would have to take a tremendous pay cut, which shouldn't affect him at all. He has more money than he could ever spend. Also, the Cavs could look really different next season. James Harden said today that he will go into the offseason as a free agent. I read today that the Cavs would explore a trade for Donovan Mitchell if he doesn't sign an extension. Jarrett Allen is always on the trade block. Max Strus has barely played this season. And Evan Mobley hasn't taken the leap everyone expected he would on offense this year. Let's say the Cavs flame out of the playoffs earlier than they hope this year and there's some changes. I'll say they trade Mitchell and Allen for picks. And let's say LeBron takes the pay cut to play there. That would mean they would have a 41, soon to be 42 year old LeBron James. A year older Harden, Evan Mobley, who may just be a defensive force. And a bunch of young, unproven guys minus Max Strus. I know that they play in the East, and Harden and James could be fun. But that would not be a title contending team to me. I'd say, unless he gets real news that this team will mostly be intact next season, the Cavs would not be the best choice.
The Clippers mention doesn't make much sense to me. Paul George and James Harden are gone. Kawhi Leonard may be gone, and is often injured. Ivica Zubac is gone. LeBron will be teamed up with players like Ben Mathurin, John Collins, Derrick Jones Jr, Darius Garland, Kris Dunn and Brad Beal. That is not a contender. Not even close. Especially in the West. And even if Kawhi does comes back, LeBron would have to take a massive pay cut and still play the gauntlet that is the West. This one is the least likely to me. I mean, he wouldn't have to move, which would be nice. But I don't think he is going to move anyway. If he does leave the Lakers, he won't live in whatever city he gets traded to or signs with. But the Clippers makes no sense whatsoever. They are not in the best place, they just got beat by a team that didn't even really want to play the other night and who knows what is going to happen with Kawhi, on and off the court.
The Warriors makes the most sense of a team he would leave for in free agency or a trade. Stephen Curry and LeBron have amazing chemistry. They have shown that they love playing off one another, be it an all star game or in the Olympics. They compliment each other very well. They are both getting older though. I do think LeBron would buy into Steve Kerr's system as well. He would get to play fun basketball at an older age. He and Draymond Green are also buddies. They get along, which is wild to me. But Green is older, and looking like it. Moses Moody won't play next season, he is recovering from an injury, but when he comes back, he is a great cutter to the rim and he would get lots of dunks on passes from LeBron. Kristaps Porzingis, if he can ever stay on the court for an extended period of time, would open the lane for LeBron. And the Warriors have some bench guys, but they are an old, old team. And LeBron would be the oldest player on the team if he signs there. And they play in the West as well. But the chance to play with Steph may be too good for him to pass up. And then we have retirement. I think this makes the most sense.
LeBron has done it all in the NBA. He is an all timer. He has won everything any player could ever dream of. He has multiple rings. He is, as I mentioned before, the second best to ever play the game. And he has kids that he can watch and root for. Speaking as a father who's coaching career just ended, but his kid is still playing, it is so much more fun to watch and be a fan. It's the best. I get to root my face off for my kid. LeBron would get to do this at the highest level. And he is 41 years old. The time has come. Father Time always wins. And while he has looked solid this year, he has missed time with some older people injuries. So, whatever he decides, I think hanging it up is the best solution. He has nothing more to prove. He is an all timer and I would applaud his decision to walk away. Time will tell.
Ty
Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing, the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast, and the greatest basketball writer on the internet.