Sprinting to Training Camp: The Official 2018 NBA Offseason Thread

Morethan1

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Report: Paul George Returning to OKC Would Be Big Blow to LeBron James to Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers have been considered the front-runners to sign LeBron James this summer all offseason. But the direction Paul George decides to go during his own free agency could alter those plans.

According to Sam Amick of USA Today, "There is all sorts of optimism in Oklahoma City that George will re-sign. Conversely, there's pessimism in James' camp that George would leave Oklahoma City."

If George decides to give it another go with Russell Westbrook and the Thunder, "That would be widely considered a big blow to the Lakers' chances of landing James."

The dream summer for the Lakers has always been signing both James and George and swinging a trade for Kawhi Leonard, giving the team a devastating superstar trio.

But the Spurs aren't interested in trading Leonard to another team in the Western Conference, according to Amick, and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN added that the Spurs have absolutely no desire to move Leonard to the Lakers:

Still, the Lakers could build around a core of James, George, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma and Lonzo Ball. Or, they could package some of the young talent to bring aboard a third veteran star. Maybe they could reunite James with Kevin Love, who grew up in California.

The Cavs would almost assuredly send over Love and eat Luol Deng's contract for the rights to Ingram, though the Lakers may not be willing to give up on such a promising young player for that price just yet. Still, a starting five of Ball, George, James, Kuzma and Love would be compelling.

And whether that particular deal would work or not, the point remains that the Lakers have the young assets to potentially add a third veteran star in a trade.

But everything hinges on George. If he doesn't leave OKC, is the Lakers' young core enticing enough to convince James to sign there and leave the Eastern Conference?

Probably not.

Perhaps he could convince Chris Paul to sign with the Lakers, though as Amick noted, "There remains a strong sense within Rockets circles that [Paul's] staying put."

James could also return to Cleveland, though the team isn't flush with elite trade assets to bring aboard more star power. B/R's Ken Berger reported the team is reportedly inquiring about Charlotte's Kemba Walker. Would Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson do the trick for Charlotte?

Perhaps, though it's unlikely a trio of James, Walker and Love is winning a title. Frankly, it's questionable if that unit would get past a healthy Boston Celtics.

 

SchoolboyC

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A trade has to be coming for the Clippers right? :patrice: They have way too many guards

Patrick Beverley
Lou Williams
Austin Rivers
Milos Teodosic
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Jerome Robinson
Jawun Evans
Sindarius Thornwell

I’m guessing they’ll let Avery Bradley walk in free agency, and I believe Teodosic’s contract for this season is only partially guaranteed but yeah...a consolidation is definitely necessary
 

str8up

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A trade has to be coming for the Clippers right? :patrice: They have way too many guards

Patrick Beverley
Lou Williams
Austin Rivers
Milos Teodosic
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Jerome Robinson
Jawun Evans
Sindarius Thornwell

I’m guessing they’ll let Avery Bradley walk in free agency, and I believe Teodosic’s contract for this season is only partially guaranteed but yeah...a consolidation is definitely necessary




Suns should jump on one of those guards now, unless they think Okobo is going to have an immediate impact. :leon:

Hate to see Jawun Evans get buried, he was supposed to be the next CP3 dawg. :mjcry:
 

Flex Luger

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Everyone’s gearing up for big LeBron James derby, including LeBron

Not that everyone’s necessarily waiting until midnight of July 1, even if the NBA keeps sending out memos on tampering, according to an Eastern Conference GM.

“Meanwhile,” said the GM, “LeBron is doing what we does — calling players on other teams he wants to play with.”

There have been no specific reports, but there’s no mystery about who’s involved. At this point, the surprise would be finding out some fave Bron has kept secret.
 
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