While the Kyrie Irving saga has dragged on for weeks to wrap up the summer, the date LeBron James can first sign a contract extension with the Lakers — August 4 — has quietly begun to creep into the present. Now, both stories will be central to the discussion surrounding the Lakers until they make a trade or James signs on the dotted line. The King’s impending decision is the focus of reports and rumors brewing over the weekend.
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LeBron’s initial decision to come to the Lakers it certainly wasn’t based entirely on the state of the franchise. Similarly, his decision on an extension appears not to be entirely based on the state of the franchise several years later.
According to longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein In the latest Substack newsletter, James and his family are still happy in Los Angeles, something that will surely play a big role in his future in the NBA.
Sources briefed on the matter emphasize that James is extremely happy in Los Angeles despite the Lakers’ back-to-back difficult seasons. He and his family have by all accounts become increasingly entrenched in Southern California since James signed with the Lakers in the summer of 2018.
One of the signs of how entrenched Southern California has become was James’ involvement in the Drew League in mid-July. He has certainly agreed to live in Los Angeles for half a decade.
Ironically, it’s family that could lead him to leave Los Angeles eventually. Bronny James, LeBron’s oldest son, will be eligible for the draft in 2024. LeBron has spoken of wanting to play alongside him and some in the league believe he poses the biggest threat to the James leaving Los Angeles.
Prevailing thinking in league circles holds that just the chance to play elsewhere alongside his son Bronny James, who will be eligible for the 2024 draft and continues to develop as an NBA prospect, would prompt LeBron to push for a out of Los Angeles.
All of that paints a great picture for LeBron to stay in Los Angeles, but his hometown Cleveland Knights It always feels like a threat to steal it…
Another homecoming?
The Cavs will always have an inherent advantage in drafting LeBron, as Cleveland is just miles from his hometown of Akron. As long as he’s in the league and free agency approaches, he’ll be tied to them. But unlike 2014, when LeBron last returned to Cleveland, the Cavs are in a much, much better basketball situation.
About him latest episode of “The Crossover NBA Show” with Chris Mannix and Howard Beck, cleveland.com Cavs reporter Chris Fedor addressed the potential of LeBron leaving Los Angeles for Cleveland.
“The Cavs aren’t sitting here today saying ‘LeBron, come to our organization, save us’ like they were in 2014. They feel like they’ve got a good thing going. They feel that there are more advantages with this group. They feel like they can be a playoff team this year. They do not feel that they are desperately need LeBron like they did in 2014. But if he’s willing to come and they can keep the roster intact and have the salary cap space to bring him on board, they’re not in a position to say no to that caliber of player and I think they know that.”
While the Cavs are building a solid team, they’re not doing it with an eye on LeBron. And even as bad as things have been in Los Angeles over the past two seasons, it doesn’t seem, for now, that a sudden relocation is a realistic possibility. But we are also only a few months away from LeBron congratulating the Cavsso it doesn’t seem entirely out of place.
There could be a way the Lakers could greatly increase their chances of LeBron staying…
Kyrie Irving’s latest update
It wouldn’t be a roundup of rumors without SOMETHING about Kyrie Irving. Trade talks for the seven-time All-Star between the Lakers and Nets are still deadlocked.
However, it still looks like Kyrie is going to return to the Nets given how things have played out. Brooklyn networks rhythm writer alex schiffer from the athletic discussed his thoughts on whether Irving would return next season in Brooklyn.
I’m still skeptical that he’ll be a Net next season. It would surprise me? No. He is from the area, he has a home and a newborn there along with the rest of his family. But the vibe I got with the Nets was that last season was such a mess that they don’t want to run again unless significant changes are made.
There’s not much in the way of reporting there, but it’s the same sense many have had about the situation and reaffirms that it seems like a long shot that he’s staying in Brooklyn.
However, the Lakers don’t appear to be particularly close to acquiring Irving at this point, or completing any trades. His lack of desire to include a second first-round pick remains the problem in every trade discussion, which may potentially be by design depending on Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times.
Sources have said the Lakers are more reluctant to part with picks this summer than they have been in the past, perhaps a sign they realize there are no quick fixes or perhaps a sign they’re willing to wait for the longest. time possible in an effort. to try to lower the price tags.
The Lakers don’t really have a deadline until training camp starts in September. Until then, they can continue to take a slow approach to negotiating. LeBron could try to put some pressure on the franchise by refusing to sign him until Kyrie is a Laker, all of which will set up a long but interesting rest of the summer.
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