ESPN.com "Is LeBron the Lakers' next big target?" for the Lakers

[wdleehi]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/8518360/nba-los-angeles-lakers-eying-lebron-james-2014

Several teams' executives have told ESPN.com they believe the Lakers are positioning themselves to make a run at LeBron James in 2014, when the Miami Heat star can choose to become a free agent.

In July 2013, Bryant's $30.4 million, Pau Gasol's $19.2 million, Metta World Peace's $7.7 million, Steve Blake's $4 million and Jordan Hill's $3.5 million will come off the books. There likely won't even be any first-round draft picks filling up the cap, either, as the Lakers have already traded their 2013 first-round pick to Phoenix in the Nash deal.

[indeedproceed]

Ha. Sweet. Cuz we really could use another LeBron-dominated summer.

[sofutomygaha]

This the day after I receive my ESPN mag in the mail and the cover has a comic about LeBron James, "King of the Rings," and his journey to win six.

Six?

Even ESPN, who awarded three NBA MVPs and a DPOY to John Wall before the 2010 NBA draft if I remember correctly, can't imagine someone challenging Bill Russell's eleven =)

[BudweiserCeltic]

Though I'd be happy for LeBron going to the West (and somehow poetic that a player I hate going to the Lakers), there's no way the Lakers will have the salary cap at that point to make a run at him.

From here until then, the Laker's ownership will be forced to make moves that will destroy their chances of landing LeBron.

And I think Kobe will make the acquisition a bit hard to make.

[MBunge]

In July 2013, Bryant's $30.4 million, Pau Gasol's $19.2 million, Metta World Peace's $7.7 million, Steve Blake's $4 million and Jordan Hill's $3.5 million will come off the books. There likely won't even be any first-round draft picks filling up the cap, either, as the Lakers have already traded their 2013 first-round pick to Phoenix in the Nash deal.

Why would LeBron leave to sign at a discount with LA, 'cause that's what he'd have to do in order to leave the team any room to sign other players if Howard gets inked to a max deal?  LA would also at that point have virtually no good young players, due to trading away so many 1st round picks, and no trade bait to offer up.

Mike

[jbaerg]

Let it happen. Then we can consolidate our hatred.

[RMO]

In July 2013, Bryant's $30.4 million, Pau Gasol's $19.2 million, Metta World Peace's $7.7 million, Steve Blake's $4 million and Jordan Hill's $3.5 million will come off the books. There likely won't even be any first-round draft picks filling up the cap, either, as the Lakers have already traded their 2013 first-round pick to Phoenix in the Nash deal.

Why would LeBron leave to sign at a discount with LA, 'cause that's what he'd have to do in order to leave the team any room to sign other players if Howard gets inked to a max deal?  LA would also at that point have virtually no good young players, due to trading away so many 1st round picks, and no trade bait to offer up.

Mike

Because it's the lakers.  The national media is required to bring them into the conversation regarding each and every time a superstar becomes a free agent (though I must admit that team has been very good at getting big name players one way or another).

[RMO]

In July 2013, Bryant's $30.4 million, Pau Gasol's $19.2 million, Metta World Peace's $7.7 million, Steve Blake's $4 million and Jordan Hill's $3.5 million will come off the books. There likely won't even be any first-round draft picks filling up the cap, either, as the Lakers have already traded their 2013 first-round pick to Phoenix in the Nash deal.

[/quote]

I'm no salary cap expert but is it as simple as the salaries coming off and the lakers getting cap room dollar for dollar?  I don't think it works that way.

[wdleehi]

In July 2013, Bryant's $30.4 million, Pau Gasol's $19.2 million, Metta World Peace's $7.7 million, Steve Blake's $4 million and Jordan Hill's $3.5 million will come off the books. There likely won't even be any first-round draft picks filling up the cap, either, as the Lakers have already traded their 2013 first-round pick to Phoenix in the Nash deal.

I'm no salary cap expert but is it as simple as the salaries coming off and the lakers getting cap room dollar for dollar?  I don't think it works that way.
[/quote]


No.   What is being said is a whole bunch of big numbers deals are coming off the book and it will leave space enough for one big number deal.


The one deal will not match the numbers of the many deals. 

[Who]

Looking forward to seeing what happens with LeBron as Wade and Bosh fade into the background over the next 5 years.

I think Miami will manage to hold onto him so long as Pat Riley is still there but there is a risk that he moves onto a new ready made title-contender.

Coupling with Dwight Howard or returning to Cleveland to show Kyrie Irving how to win a ring would both be great alternatives to take instead of staying of Miami.

[OsirusCeltics]

This the day after I receive my ESPN mag in the mail and the cover has a comic about LeBron James, "King of the Rings," and his journey to win six.

Six?

Even ESPN, who awarded three NBA MVPs and a DPOY to John Wall before the 2010 NBA draft if I remember correctly, can't imagine someone challenging Bill Russell's eleven =)

Even when he already won his title, ESPN would find some way overrate Lebron even more. They never cease to amaze me

[BudweiserCeltic]

I'm surprised no one has said:

THE DECISION!

[makaveli]

probably will trade blake-artest-five second round picks for lebron
they seam to do that a lot

[edwardjkasche]

I'm not surprised ESPN is already bringing up this rumor crap.  It's not even the 2012 regular season yet.  I swear it's a bunch of chimps in Bristol picking words out of a basket.

And, anyone who thinks Kobe is retiring at 35-years-old is crazy.  Unless his knees explode he's going to play past 35.

[StartOrien]

Surprised to see that an NBA team would consider freeing up space to acquire the best player in the league. Wonder if other teams will follow?