Assuming LeBron leaves the Heat Next Year

[Ogaju]

for the Lakers or another organization, what does this do to the NBA?

I think it becomes a mercenary league with no loyalty or allegiance. It will go a long way in hurting the brand.

Lets say LeBron goes to Lakers, Chicago, Celtics, name the team, and wins a couple of championships. Will those chips be seen really as team chips or LeBron chips.

I think the rampant free agency will hurt the NBA brand that is based on team/city rivalries and not just player idolizing.

[D.o.s.]

That's a bold assumption.

[Quinn]

This will get a lot of flak I'm sure but... Assuming we do tank and get the first pick In wiggins; Danny has to ar least explore Lebron as a free agent correct? Imagine what that would do for his legacy? Embracing his rival and making them contenders while grooming his "heir to the throne" to do the same? I know it's incredibly far fetched but still

[lightspeed5]

danny will do the same thing he did with dwight, make a courtesy call if he is interested in coming. most likely he isnt.

if we end up wiggins or parker, we wont be making a phone call.

[fitzhickey]

if we end up wiggins or parker, we wont be making a phone call.

Or Randle
I think Randle and Lebron are very similar position wise

[SHAQATTACK]

NO WAY LBJ is leaving the HEAT , not even the Lakers forum s agree thats happening .

Long as Riley is GM/Coach LBJ will most likey stay.  It would take Phil Jackson coaching LA with Super star a on the team to get LBJ out there.   

Too many Ifs

[slamtheking]

I don't see Bron going anywhere in the near future.  maybe back to Cleveland at the end of his career to finish out where he started -- provided the fan base no longer wants to strangle him at that point

[DoverCeltic]

He wont leave the Heat. I imagine once Wades knees get the better of him, and Bosh is traded, LBJ will TRY to get players like Melo, Wall, or a Favors/Cousins player. I know some of those players are RFAs, but lets be honest, LBJ has the power of persuasion on his side with now 2 titles and maybe more.

So I imagine Riley will attempt to retool the heat around LBJ

[saltlover]

I don't see Bron going anywhere in the near future.  maybe back to Cleveland at the end of his career to finish out where he started -- provided the fan base no longer wants to strangle him at that point

It depends I think on how this year goes.  If they win, I think he stays.  If they lose because Wade can't bring it any more and Bosh shrinks in the playoffs, I think he leaves, especially if they don't make the NBA finals.  The Heat cant bring in much in the way of reinforcements next year.  That said, I find the latter scenario less likely, so I think he stays. The number 8 seed in the East this year will be worse than the Bucks last year, and the heat will be able to coast into the second round.  It's like they get a bye.  And the East will be so bad this year I can see them challenging the Bulls win mark.

[Celtics Insider]

So, LeBron wins two straight championships, and is a favorite for a dynasty, yet you think he'll leave? He left because CLE sucked.

[moiso]

If Lebron goes anywhere, it will probably be in 6 years or so.

[slamtheking]

I don't see Bron going anywhere in the near future.  maybe back to Cleveland at the end of his career to finish out where he started -- provided the fan base no longer wants to strangle him at that point

It depends I think on how this year goes.  If they win, I think he stays.  If they lose because Wade can't bring it any more and Bosh shrinks in the playoffs, I think he leaves, especially if they don't make the NBA finals.  The Heat cant bring in much in the way of reinforcements next year.  That said, I find the latter scenario less likely, so I think he stays. The number 8 seed in the East this year will be worse than the Bucks last year, and the heat will be able to coast into the second round.  It's like they get a bye.  And the East will be so bad this year I can see them challenging the Bulls win mark.

There will always be ringchasers like Ray willing to sign with the Heat to ride Bron's coattails.  Their ability to add more talent is something I don't see as a problem for them.

Also, if Wade and Bosh decline in talent, they become nice big expiring contracts to bring in that next big time player to pair with Bron.

[saltlover]

I don't see Bron going anywhere in the near future.  maybe back to Cleveland at the end of his career to finish out where he started -- provided the fan base no longer wants to strangle him at that point

It depends I think on how this year goes.  If they win, I think he stays.  If they lose because Wade can't bring it any more and Bosh shrinks in the playoffs, I think he leaves, especially if they don't make the NBA finals.  The Heat cant bring in much in the way of reinforcements next year.  That said, I find the latter scenario less likely, so I think he stays. The number 8 seed in the East this year will be worse than the Bucks last year, and the heat will be able to coast into the second round.  It's like they get a bye.  And the East will be so bad this year I can see them challenging the Bulls win mark.

There will always be ringchasers like Ray willing to sign with the Heat to ride Bron's coattails.  Their ability to add more talent is something I don't see as a problem for them.

Also, if Wade and Bosh decline in talent, they become nice big expiring contracts to bring in that next big time player to pair with Bron.

The thing is Bosh and Wade aren't expiring any time soon.  They have option through 2015-2016.  If Wade declines this year, it's going to take a lot for some team to take on $42 mil in commitments over two years, or about a million more for bosh.  The heat have $78 mil committed to seven players next year.  One of them is Joel Anthony, while another is Mike Miller, who is due $6.8 million but might not be able to walk by then.  So it could be $78 million committed to five useful player (big 3 plus Haslem and Cole).  Sure they can get a ring chaser, but only one ring chaser can get taxpayer mid level, and the rest will get the minimum.  Other teams can offer ring chasers more, so they'll be scraping towards the bottom of the barrel at minimum deals, especially if they don't win this year.  Again, I don't consider it likely LeBron leaves, but I don't consider it a given that he stays.

[jay]

Cleveland has all these young players that will only get better this yar.

Miami will only be older a year from now.

I bet he gives it one more year with Wade/Bosh, then he runs back to Cleveland with a ready made roster.  Lebron and Irving could dominate for the next 7 or 8 years. 

[manl_lui]

Cleveland has all these young players that will only get better this yar.

Miami will only be older a year from now.

I bet he gives it one more year with Wade/Bosh, then he runs back to Cleveland with a ready made roster.  Lebron and Irving could dominate for the next 7 or 8 years.

this was Lebron's plan all along! They can clear up cap space, draft a few good players, then Lebron jumps back on with Irving, Waiters and Bennet (assumes he pans out)