Bleacher report: Could LeBron James be heading to the Lakers?

From the Bleacher Report:

Now I've never been one to spread gossip, but this particular item deserved a little attention.

Sam Smith of Bulls.com wrote an article today speculating that LeBron James could be headed to the Lakers next summer.

Smith acknowledges that the Lakers, owners of the NBA's highest payroll, do not have the sufficient cap space to sign LeBron outright. His rationale is that if LeBron has his heart set on going to the Lakers then the Cavs would have no choice but to accommodate his majesty, or risk getting nothing for him in return.

To make matters even more complicated, Smith writes, "I’ve heard this scenario from some NBA people, though I’ve heard every other one as well..."

Well, that last part I agree with. If James did plan on leaving town the Cavs would be much better off at least getting one building block for him.

Here's what Smith writes about the particulars of the deal:

If [the Cavs] don’t accommodate him, he’s going to New York or Miami and they get nothing. But if they do in a sign-and-trade to save the franchise, they get a young, potential All-Star center in Andrew Bynum. Maybe Lamar Odom as well or Ron Artest. Draft picks, some pieces like Jordan Farmar.

Now I don't know if Smith knows this, but Farmar is going to be a free agent next summer. And while I don't think the Lakers would hesitate to pull the trigger on either a Bynum and Odom or a Bynum and Artest for LeBron trade, Lakers first-round draft picks are useless when you consider that for at least the next four years they are not going to be that much better than second-round picks.

So here's the question, if you're a Cavs fan and you know LeBron is leaving, is Bynum the type of centerpiece you'd be looking to get back in a trade for James?

Odom has two more guaranteed years after this one on his current deal (with a team option for a fourth year) and Artest is signed for four more years.

Bynum is under contract for two more years after this one with a team option for a third.

If you're a Lakers fan, do you make either trade and give up on the promising Bynum while he's still healthy and you've got the chance?

I should let you all know that Smith is a bit of rumor-monger who has been throwing out hypothetical trades long before ESPN's Trade Machine and RealGM's TradeChecker came into existence.

I don't take anything he says that serious so I suggest neither should you.

If you asked me today where I thought James would go next summer I would tell you that I think he's going to re-sign with the Cavs for three years. James turns 25 in December and will still be 28 if he does as I suspect.

I just don't think that the teams that will have cap space next summer have enough, even with James, to be any better than the squad James is currently on. Not the Knicks, the Nets, or even the Heat with Dwyane Wade.

The lone exception would be the Bulls.

But if Smith, who lives in Chicago, doesn't seem to think the Bulls are an option, then why should I?

Smith kind of contradicts himself a little when he first writes "The general consensus seems to be LeBron stays in Cleveland given you can be a star from anywhere...," yet he follows that later saying "James has often talked about expanding his empire, and lately has been involved with books and movies. So where else but in L.A. would you want to be to be involved in the entertainment industry?"

So let me get this straight: You can be a star from anywhere, but you can only write books and make movies in L.A.?

I'd give the Lakers less than a five-percent chance of landing LeBron next summer. I'd give him a 50/50 shot in 2013 if he only signs with the Cavs for three more years.

Until then, get used to these types of articles from guys like Smith because there's going to be another just like it popping up every week until July 1, 2009.

Andrew Ungvari, the Bleacher Report

Photo: LeBron James. Credit: Jason Miller, US Presswire

Comments

[david]

you mean 2010.

[Jimmy]

that's why his website is known as Bulls.com...whatever he's saying is plain bull...but i'll agree to the trade if the cavs are willing to take dj and sasha for lebron...lebron will re-sign with the cavs...no question about it...what they need over there is a reliable pg and a overpowering 5 and let lebron play sf...shaq is not the answer...

[Laker Justice]

No way Lebron and Kobe still in his prime are on the same team.

Tickets to Laker practices would be hotter than any NBA game.

Lebron in 3-4 years, now that is something to speculate about.

[teekay]

For those that say you can be a star anywhere...just look at the career of Pau Gasol. Was he even in the NBA before the Grizz traded him to the Lakers? The Lakers offer players a platform that no other NBA franchise can provide. I think this theory might gain steam by July, especially if the Cavs get bounced early in the playoffs as I suspect they will.

[j-Dub]

Keep dreaming.....apparently the "champions" know that this championship was a fraud, so let's get major help.

[Mark]

I live in Ohio, right between Akron and Cleveland, near Lebron. If he leaves, it's to Jay-Z and the Russian billionaire who can also afford to make a move for him with Bosh or Wade. The only way James stays is if they make it back to the Finals. Only the impending lockout can change that.

A sure thing is Mike Brown doesn't survive the season as he should have been canned over the summer.

As for L.A...there's not enough talent. A sign-n-trade for Lebron would involve three teams, one being Houston which sends Yao to Cleveland. You need to look at who has a stake in the Cav's ownership. Gilbert needs solid investors and the boys from Hong Kong aren't going to be sold on a hamnegger like Odom. They've already made noise about moving for a healthy Yao, so the timing could work.

[NarNar]

Cavs are done this year. Even with Shaq. Have you seen Boston, Miami,... hell the Bulls.

Cavs out in the first round. King James will look for a new Kingdom. I would not want to see James and Kobe on the same team, don't think they have the chemistry to be productive. Need I remind my fellow fans of the Shaq, Kobe, Malone, and Payton days. Some great players aren't meant to play together.

[Joe Laker]

I think the trade Lebron should go like this Luke Walton, Sasha Vuja-whatever, Jordan Farmar, peanuts, and Josh Powell for Lebron James. I know it's not enough for the Lakers Lebron James and some oranges.

[Anthony]

Personally I cannot invisage a successful relationship between Lebron and Bryant. You can't have two roosters in the hen house and the same time.....I could envisage the Lakers gunning for Lebron if Kobe wants out in a few years time but no die hard Lakers fan would ever wish for that now would they.

[Gary]

Oh no. Lebron might be going to New York.
Oh no. Lebron might be going to Miami.
Oh no. Lebron might be going to Chicago
Oh no. Lebron might be going to Los Angeles.
Oh no. Lebron might be going to the Moon.
Is this all you people have to worry about in your life. Where is Lebron going.
Who cares. He will go to where he can make the most money. Simple as that.
Money talks or Lebron walks.

[Manny Miles]

Bynum isn't going anywhere, he's staying in L.A., like it or not. The Lakers always build championship calibre teams around a star guard and a big man center, and Andrew is that up and coming big man. This article was written too soon, and too early in the season before Andrew Bynum has a chance to show why he's their future. You watch, Bynum will have his best season this 2009-10. Lebron James would not fit this Lakers' puzzle unless Kobe Bryant is gone, and that's not happening this year, or the next. Frankly, I feel Lebron is overrated, and his style doesn't mesh well with team play, plus his offensive attack works best on bad teams, not cohesive teams with role players. L.A. only has room for '1' king. Lebron will eventually end up in a Knicks uniform..

[Doug]

I don't trade Andrew. He is the future of the Lakers.

[2 PHATT]

Why do you waste your time and the fans with this CRAP, you say the man is a rumor monger but still you just throw it out there. Why can't you write something with more meat and potatoes, something we can sink our teeth in. C'MON your better then that.

[logan]

This is the dumbest speculation I've ever read. NO way that Lebron comes to LA. Why even mention this? There is absolutely nothing to even remotely envision something like this happening....just utter nonsense

[Frank]

This wouldn't be good for the Lakers if it happened, Lebron is too much of a Drama Queen. Thankfully he will never be a Laker, he doesn't know how to win championships.That was dumb the way Lebron celebrated the buzzer beater last year acting like he just won the championship and then not congratulating D.Howard he is to much of a little girl, grow up Lebron.

[Josh]

Several things.

1) Why does anyone listen to Sam Smith? He makes things up. Fiction. He is almost always totally wrong, and just publishes the most asinine rumors.

2) Anyone who would not move Bynum in a heartbeat for LeBron James knows nothing about anything.

I could go on, but I shouldn't have to.

[T]

No! He comes to LA by going to...the Clippers!

[Farshad]

Why wouldn't LeBron sign with the Clippers? They have the cap space and better talent than the Cavs, Bull etc. Plus the Kobe v. LeBron debate at staples would help "expand his empire."

[george in vegas]

You guys undersestimate Mitch K. If the Lakers go after another star in the free agency it will be D. Wade.

Think about the Olympic team,
and what combo played better. Wade overachieves, Lebron underachieves.

One more comment, don't you feel sorry for cleveland picking up shaq. I know Phoenix is laughing.

[Happy Gilmore]

Shouldn't it be ..."until July 1, 2010"?

But who cares about LeBronze.

The Lakers have KOBE!

GO LAKERS!!!

[Randy]

this article is so ridiculous that it deserves zero attention

[ger]

Pau Gasol, Vujacic, Artest, Farmar, 2-3 1st round picks for LeBron and some other dude

Cavs get dependable guys in Gasol, Artest and Farmar, and draft picks. and a cheerleader.

[autoprt]

the lakers have spent the last few years having Bynum train
with Jabbar who was one of the best centers to ever play the game and they are just going to trade him like that for James when they are already winning rings without him.

yesterday must have really been a slow news day for the NBA.

[Ryan S.]

Ok,

LeBron to the Lakers. Seems like everyone is thinking that Cleveland gets nothing and that Kobe and BronBron cant play together. Well if thats true what about trading KOBE out of LA for LeBron? Now that should send some heads spinning. Would you give up the best closer in the game for a future best closer in the game? I think if anything that would be the most logical and tempting offer for both Cleveland and the Lakers. Dr. Buss has made the hard decision before in letting Shaq go, to keep Kobe. I could definitely see him trading Kobe for LeBron if the offer was presented. LA could probably just throw in Odom and seal the deal. I'd love to see Kobe retire as a Laker, but I also know that Dr. Buss loves titles above all else. Just something to ponder.

Ryan S.

[MJSF]

No way this happens. Smith must have been smoking that good stuff when he put this rumor together. Plus, Lakers won't be repeating this season because the competition is way more stiff than last season(i.e. Celtics, Cavs, Spurs, Nuggets, etc..) In fact, Kobe has a better chance of leaving LA than Lebron coming to LA unless he's to join the red hot LA Clippers who have significant amount of cap space with all those expiring contracts next summer.