Chris Haynes: “I’ve been told Houston is not a realistic option for LeBron”

FWIW, if we run with this hypothetical that LeBron and PG go to the Lakers, I think the biggest 2018-19 impact is that it would make the race for the No. 1 seed even more important than it was this year. I don't think they're in the GSW/HOU tier, especially over 82 games, but I think they'd win 55-ish games and be a real pain in the ass for whoever draws them in Round 2.

Certainly the No. 1 is always big in terms of Game 7 at home (yes, I know HOU lost, but not having CP was the far-and-away main issue), but it could be an even bigger deal next year with the prize being NOT having to play LeBron in Round 2.

Also, while LeBron going to a West team that isn't Houston certainly isn't ideal... don't overlook the negative impact it may have on OKC by pushing George out the door. It would make LAL very tough... but IMO, at the moment, you could mount a strong case that OKC in Year 2 of Russ/PG and with a healthy Roberson could make a big move upward. So if LAL jumps up the standings, it probably comes at the expense of OKC, so it's not quite as much of a negative impact on the rest of the West as you might initially think.

 

The Cavs wouldn't have to take him if they didn't want to, you can always find a team willing to take on a bad contract like that in exchange for 2 first round picks. Hell the Cavs might even be willing to since they can always shred salary to get under the cap with their other moves but if not there's always teams like Sacramento.

 

And one more thing...I'm getting pretty sick of this Paul George love. He isn't a superstar. He isn't a top 10 player. On this rockets team, I think he would be great. But as a number 1 or 2 option on a team they are not contenders. In the east a team constructed in such a way is a second round out and a first round out in the west. Not saying lebron doesn't go for that...just saying all the talk that they would be better than this rockets team needs to stop

 

That's literally all they will have left, though. No exceptions if you're an under the cap team, which they would be to sign LeBron and PG.

 

Lmao this is so funny I'm the a rockets fan. Go to toyota look for the bricks of my mom n brother. Go to almost every game. Watch every game I can't go to lol. Went to game 5. Of the warriors. Made everyone in my section 433 stand n cheer. I'm just looking objectively. Cause no matter what if cp3 cappella n everybody leaves ima be a rockets fan. I've rode with them for 33 years now

 

Paul George isn't as good as either Harden or CP3 but he's supposed to be the main draw for Lebron? I'm not discounting the possibility that might actually happen, but from a basketball perspective let's just be clear that the supporting cast of Harden/CP3/Capela is better than anything LA can piece together.

 

You're maybe trying to look at it objectively, but you're failing miserably. Ball, Kuzma, Ingram and Hart isn't even close to better than what the Rockets have with CP3, Harden, and Capela. Its laughable that you would even think there's a debate.

Lonzo ball shot like 36% this season, thats miserably bad.

 

I think it's more to do with lbj. If he could get that team to the finals. Even in the weak as east. I'm not a pg13 lover. But he is better then any guy the Cavs have not name lbj. LeBron can work with pg13.

 

I think it's more you playing devil's advocate than looking at things objectively. You are kind of going out of your way to make LA seem like a better option than it realistically is.....which is fine, conversations sometimes need people to play devil's advocate in order to test the strength of arguments.

 

That said, I do think that a LeBron/PG Laker team would be in prime position to get some sweetheart deals in July 2019. And George, who is only 28, would probably be fine with delaying "true contention" by a year. Question is if LeBron at 34 and in Year 16 would do it.

 

Not a big ball fan. Ill give u that n I must be honest don't watch much Lakers basketball. N I told my cuzz he would be a bust, didn't watch him in college either but when I saw a reel of him in college his release immediately told me he wouldn't be able to get that shot off. As for kuzma he looked good when he played us. N I think Ingram length is what intrigues me honestly I think he would look good on the Spurs. Just think he is untapped. Think he might be a all-star one day.

 

This is about shoe deals.. Nike and Adidas.. You can't have two of the biggest Endorsers. on the same team.

 

I think its pretty clear Paul George doesn't care what the state of the Lakers organization is. He just wants to be in a Lakers uniform whether they win 10 games or 50 games.

 

I'm not arguing that trust me he would win a chip on the rockets guaranteed what I'm saying is it might be impossible for us to get LeBron keep CP3 n keep cappella that's what I'm saying

 

I just don't think that pairing works in okc. I'm not worried even if the brought him back. The would be one of my better scenarios for the Rockets to keep winning because OKC just doesn't have enough shooting. Plus Russ is a one track mind player n in late games don't know what the right move

 

Why would you think that would be "impossible"? If Lebron wants to come to Houston the trade happens at which point the Rockets have Bird rights for CP3 and Bird rights for Capela, the Rockets could pay all of them the max if they wanted to. The luxury bill would be ridiculous, but it would be a way for Fertitta to essentially buy multiple championships....and that's worth any potential tax bill.

 

everybody here thought it was dumb for bosh to go back to Miami then come here but he did. Same with melo that year but he did. We always think Houston is the best spot. I more look at the psyche of a player

 

Yeah and if winning was a priority for Bosh, it was a pretty dumb idea. Same goes for Melo. If Lebron doesn't care about winning, I could see him follow in the footsteps of Bosh or Melo and I think it'll end just about the same for him.

Objectively speaking, Houston IS the best spot from a basketball perspective. If Lebron wants to win, there's no better spot realistically. Now you could be right, he might not care about winning like Bosh didn't and Melo clearly never has, I can't speak to that. What I can say is that if he cares about winning, Houston is his best bet.

 

I just feel no one would take anderson. That's my hold out. Even if I was talking i would want him until he was expiring. We had a 25 mil player on the bench in the playoff. If it was possible we would have got rid of him

 

Amazing. Where do people pluck these theories from. Oh the trash can