The difference in Houston dumping Ryno and LA dumping Deng is that Houston has a lower bar to clear for the subsequent transaction. The reason the Rockets finding a taker for Anderson in LeBron scenarios seems more feasible is that even if HOU has to give up most of its future draft capital to find a third-team taker, that may be fine because the bar for Cleveland is a lot lower than the bar for San Antonio would be. With LeBron able to easily leave for no compensation, even if the return for Cleveland is just Eric Gordon and a marginal prospect or two... there's a case for them to take it (as long as Gordon is seen as a positive asset, which I think he is) because it's better than the nothing scenario. (They probably would not take Ryan, for clarity, because his contract is worse than the nothing scenario.) With the Lakers, if they use the vast majority of their draft capital to dump Deng... I don't see nearly enough for SA to move a player who was literally MVP quality 12 months ago. For starters, you know Pop doesn't want to send Kawhi to the Lakers. You also know that the Spurs have been through this before... last offseason, Aldridge asked for a trade, yet they were able to patch things up. In short: For the Spurs to trade Kawhi this offseason, I think they'd have to be overwhelmed by an offer... and I just don't see that as likely given that LAL would need to spend most of its draft capital to deal with the Deng situation.
I just fear Kawhi might ask to get traded to L.A. I mean, the Spurs may very well be able to keep Leonard, it's just that i don't know how that's going to happen...how he managed his situation this season was just not regular to me...staying out until the season for his team was over while team doctors said he could've played, not being on the bench during the playoffs...if that's not a guy who wants out than i don't know. And i don't know how they'll get him back there, i'm a fan of Pop and yeah, he was able to patch up things with LMA, but LMA didn't handle the situation like Leonard did so, i expect the Spurs to have at least a way harder time here. So, let's say in the end he stays there or he gets traded but he doesn't ask for a specific team, i think we're fine if the outcome is one of these two scenarios cause i agree that other teams would offer a better package than the Lakers. But what if he asks to get traded to L.A? Here is where i don't think that package wouldn't be enough. Especially if the Spurs would start to rebuild, which is difficult to see happening with Pop, but with that roster...i mean, super old and with zero talent to build around, i don't know, i think they should definitely rebuild. But anyway, if that's going to happen, do you expect the Spurs to play hard ball or to move him quickly this summer? I'm not sure i see the Spurs play hard ball here, and now, not sure they would take the risk to bring this thing on until the deadline...what if it's going to backfire and turns out to be a George 2.0? In a similar scenario i don't see Ainge throwing the goods in a deal.
What I meant was. Whatever negative value you can envision Lebron having concerning Harden on this team is mute. The biggest basketball reason by far for Lebron to be in Houston is Harden. Paul also, but that is more of a personal reason. Harden is a top 5 player. If Lebron wants to beat the Warriors he needs Harden. Whereas Harden needs Lebron also, he has lost to them 3 out of the last 4 years in the playoffs. Just as Lebron has. Golden State is not a regular team. They added a top 20 player all time to a 73 win team. If Lebron comes to Houston it will be to play with Harden. Houston will know probably now or soon if that is a go and will plan accordingly to maximize the rest of the team. Which Lebron will want because he is here to kick the Warriors ass number one. And as said earlier to play with Paul secondarily.
via bookmaker 6/10/2018 Which Team Will L.James Be On 1st RS Gm of 2018-19 Houston Rockets +604 LA Lakers +262 Philadelphia 76ers +184 Cleveland Cavaliers +596 Boston Celtics +952 San Antonio Spurs +991 Golden State Warriors +4439 Field +765 6/11/2018 Which Team Will L.James Be On 1st RS Gm of 2018-19 Houston Rockets +600 LA Lakers +250 Philadelphia 76ers +200 Cleveland Cavaliers +500 Boston Celtics +952 San Antonio Spurs +991 Golden State Warriors +4500 Field +800
So you are of the opinion LeBron doesn't care about image or optics. I Harden doesn't give a flip. But it's not Harden going to Cleveland. Good luck with that. I would have liked LeBron when asked about "if he would vote for Harden for MVP?" .I would have liked it if LeBron had given a crumb to Harden. Say something like Harden has had a great yr; but I've been thru so much, and I think I deserve the MVP. Instead nothing. Just me, me, me me me. Not good if you plan on playing with Harden some day. If you can get along from separate conferences....they probably won't get along on the same team.
No he does care. I have no idea what he cares about most. If it is to win he needs Harden and Paul. Lebron will be one year older next year, he is not on the way up. If Paul stays with Harden he is all in, which means Lebron is also. Again the Warriors are not a normal team. Lebron knows that. And if winning is the true number one priority it most likely means in Houston and it means he needs to let them know as soon as possible. If other facors are more important than so be it. Lebron will create a competitive situation. But odds are will lose to the Warriors regardless. At that point what happens? Cousins or Paul George, who the hell knows?
Why did the rockets go from 1st to 3rd? Doesn't make sense. I hope Lebron doesn't steal cp3. Lebron probably would rather have cp3 vs PG13.
The odds are greatly influenced by media hype. Lately all we've been hearing about is the Lakers are the favorites and how the Rockets won't happen thus even though the Rockets are the most likely destination, the odds reflect what people are saying.
Won’t have to on the rockets, and also you’re assuming whichever team he is on is gunning for max regular season wins. They won’t - lebron hasn’t done that for years, and now that the rockets know what we’re capable of, we won’t have to either.
If that is true, and no reason to think Payton is lying, that would make it pretty likely he's going to LA.
LeBron's smart--he moves his family to LA so that they can live that Cali life while he works and lives in Houston during the regular season so he can escape state income tax in California.
This worries me but I seem to find evidence floating around that LeBrons son has played all over the country, on various AAU teams, including a Houston one. So who knows quite honestly. But if you ask me this points to LA.
He's bought two houses there and his kids may be starting school there soon. Yet it still seems far-fetched to come West to be under Houston and GS. It just makes little sense but if Wade is right and basketball isn't the first and main priority. He says he wants to be in championship mode so only time will tell. Pros v cons. Smaller market in Houston with the potential to win multiple titles gets him the money as well. Going to LA gives him even more endorsement money but no real potential to win a championship again. Can you see his sons asking him to be there in LA so they can watch them play at the expense of what happens on a NBA floor? It is LA v Houston seemingly again. The media and money will go to LA.. Every time a report like this comes out and gives us doubt, remember Chris Paul and James Harden will be in the ear of Lebron probably everyday or damn near it.
