LeBron Sweepstakes

[Lipoli390]

LeBron James' agent Rich Paul revealed that James would have joined the New York Knicks this offseason if the team had not won the NBA Championship.Speaking on the Game Over podcast, Paul explained that the Knicks were at the top of their board, but the dynamics of joining a defending champion are complicated.The specific quotes from the conversation detail the path forward for a potential move:On going to New York: "If the Knicks hadn't won, there would be no board. He'd be going to the Knicks."On the requirements to join now: "Jalen Brunson would literally have to pick up the phone and say, 'Hey man, it's no issue with me.' You want to respect what those guys have built. And also, it's Jalen Brunson's show. He's earned that right."On the Knicks' interest: "Yeah, they checked in."

I don’t want to read too much into this comment by Rich Paul, but it’s hard not to view this remark to suggest that LeBron ending up in Cleveland or Miami is less likely than I thought. Sure, neither Cleveland nor Miami has recently won the title, but both won titles not that long ago and LeBron was the player who led them to those titles. It strikes me that LeBron does not want to go to a team where he would repeat history. I’m getting the sense he wants to make history, not repeat it. I think that also puts Denver on the outer periphery of the six teams on LeBron’s list. So while I might be reading too much into the recent comment by LeBron’s agent, I really think the two leading candidates are the Wolves and Sixers.

The Sixers are in the same boat the Knicks were in before this year’s championship. The Sixers are an iconic NBA franchise that hasn’t won the title since 1983. After the Sixers’ recent moves, especially trading for Jaylen Brown, I see them as the favorite in the East and I suspect LeBron does too. As I’ve mentioned before, LeBron likely sees the East as an easier path to a championship than the West. I also think LeBron would prefer a bigger east coast city like Philly — more people, more media, more attention, more marketing dollars — over the Twin Cities. And I think he’s love he narrative of following in the footsteps of Doctor J and Moses Malone who were with the Sixers in 1983 for their last championship. He can craft his narrative around going to the City of the Liberty Bell in the year of this Country’s 250th birthday. I’m not giving up on Minnesota’s chances of getting him and I continue to believe the Wolves would be his best choice where he would fit perfectly and could help deliver the first championship in the history of this franchise.

Unfortunately, I think this drama is going to continue for at least another week — possibly two or three more weeks. In the meantime, we just wait and see. I don’t see any huge moves we’ll be missing while we wait. I really like our roster, especially after signing Tres Lyles. And there’s a long list of good free agents we’ll be able to go after with the vet minimum if we don’t get LeBron. If we miss out on Rui then so be it.

[60WinTim]

So, here is my observations on what is going on here...

• The process of creating this movie/documentary on LeBron's "potential" last season is every bit as important as winning a championship.

• This means we will have to suffer a ridiculous amount of media coverage and drama throughout the season should LeBron join the Wolves.

• But I suppose we are willing to put up with it if it helps the Wolves win a championship!

• Example: I believe LeBron has already made up his mind, but they need to create the suspense and drama for making their movie. They are probably filming segments of interactions with all the competing teams as a chapter in the movie, so most if it is kind of fabricated for the theatrics.

I think the Wolves are high up in the running for LeBron's services. The makeup of the team is ideal for LeBron to slide into. The storyline of helping a franchise win their first championship is compelling. The image of a "face of the league" handing the torch off to a new "face of the league" is such a feel-good story. All the elements for creating a "must-see" movie seem to be in place.

I expect the Wolves to keep their one "available" roster spot open for as long as it takes LeBron to make his decision. Should LeBron go elsewhere, my pick for the spot if Rocco. The 15th spot will be filled when the 2nd apron allows somewhere midseason, and that will depend on what the team's needs are.

[Lipoli390]

So, here is my observations on what is going on here...

• The process of creating this movie/documentary on LeBron's "potential" last season is every bit as important as winning a championship.

• This means we will have to suffer a ridiculous amount of media coverage and drama throughout the season should LeBron join the Wolves.

• But I suppose we are willing to put up with it if it helps the Wolves win a championship!

• Example: I believe LeBron has already made up his mind, but they need to create the suspense and drama for making their movie. They are probably filming segments of interactions with all the competing teams as a chapter in the movie, so most if it is kind of fabricated for the theatrics.

I think the Wolves are high up in the running for LeBron's services. The makeup of the team is ideal for LeBron to slide into. The storyline of helping a franchise win their first championship is compelling. The image of a "face of the league" handing the torch off to a new "face of the league" is such a feel-good story. All the elements for creating a "must-see" movie seem to be in place.

I expect the Wolves to keep their one "available" roster spot open for as long as it takes LeBron to make his decision. Should LeBron go elsewhere, my pick for the spot if Rocco. The 15th spot will be filled when the 2nd apron allows somewhere midseason, and that will depend on what the team's needs are.

Great take, Tim. I think you nailed it.

[Monster]

So, here is my observations on what is going on here...

• The process of creating this movie/documentary on LeBron's "potential" last season is every bit as important as winning a championship.

• This means we will have to suffer a ridiculous amount of media coverage and drama throughout the season should LeBron join the Wolves.

• But I suppose we are willing to put up with it if it helps the Wolves win a championship!

• Example: I believe LeBron has already made up his mind, but they need to create the suspense and drama for making their movie. They are probably filming segments of interactions with all the competing teams as a chapter in the movie, so most if it is kind of fabricated for the theatrics.

I think the Wolves are high up in the running for LeBron's services. The makeup of the team is ideal for LeBron to slide into. The storyline of helping a franchise win their first championship is compelling. The image of a "face of the league" handing the torch off to a new "face of the league" is such a feel-good story. All the elements for creating a "must-see" movie seem to be in place.

I expect the Wolves to keep their one "available" roster spot open for as long as it takes LeBron to make his decision. Should LeBron go elsewhere, my pick for the spot if Rocco. The 15th spot will be filled when the 2nd apron allows somewhere midseason, and that will depend on what the team's needs are.

Great take, Tim. I think you nailed it.

Unless Rocco plays so well this summer league that he deserves it (very possible) I think they keep him on the 2-way and then sign him to a NBA deal toward the end of the season with the 15th roster spot like they did with Jaylen Clark.

[SameOldNudityDrew]

So, here is my observations on what is going on here...

• The process of creating this movie/documentary on LeBron's "potential" last season is every bit as important as winning a championship.

• This means we will have to suffer a ridiculous amount of media coverage and drama throughout the season should LeBron join the Wolves.

• But I suppose we are willing to put up with it if it helps the Wolves win a championship!

• Example: I believe LeBron has already made up his mind, but they need to create the suspense and drama for making their movie. They are probably filming segments of interactions with all the competing teams as a chapter in the movie, so most if it is kind of fabricated for the theatrics.

I think the Wolves are high up in the running for LeBron's services. The makeup of the team is ideal for LeBron to slide into. The storyline of helping a franchise win their first championship is compelling. The image of a "face of the league" handing the torch off to a new "face of the league" is such a feel-good story. All the elements for creating a "must-see" movie seem to be in place.

I expect the Wolves to keep their one "available" roster spot open for as long as it takes LeBron to make his decision. Should LeBron go elsewhere, my pick for the spot if Rocco. The 15th spot will be filled when the 2nd apron allows somewhere midseason, and that will depend on what the team's needs are.

Great take, Tim. I think you nailed it.

Sounds like there are three overarching goals for LeBron this season:

• He wants to be in a position to help a team win it all, but doesn't want it to be a "gimme," so the Knicks are out and probably the Spurs and OKC too. I think we're in a sweet spot there.

• He wants to have fun. Ant + LaMelo sounds pretty fun. I know he loves Steph and Maxey. I think we'd be better positioned to win than the Warriors. I think the Sixers are a real threat to get him. That's a really fun backcourt too, and Jaylen Brown makes them a serious threat. Hopefully they look too good for LeBron to sign there.

• He's looking for a story. If he's filming this thing for a movie or TV show or whatever, he's gotta be thinking about what kind of story he wants to tell about himself. Picking a "fun" team should help make any footage entertaining scene for scene, but if he wants something more like a movie, which I suspect he does, the story is important. On one hand, this feels kinda pathetic. Can't he just do what he wants to do, regardless of how it will look to others? But honestly, I feel like that's basically what everyone on social media does these days, is to try to project a story about themselves to the world, so who are we to judge at this point? So the question is, what kind of story does he want to end his career with? If he's a traditionalist, which I think he actually kind of is in a way, I think he might go back to Cleveland. That's how this movie would end if it were like The Natural or Hoosiers or something. He might try to re-create something like that. But I'm not sure that world exists anymore. Cleveland fans may still feel a bond with him, but players and teams have for years treated this all like a business, which it is, so it honestly might feel pretty contrived and artificial. Teams are completely different within just a couple of years, so it's not like he'd be going back to his old teammates or anything. I know his high school teammate works for the Cavs now, though, so maybe that make the story more real, bringing it all full circle. But who knows?

I do think he'd really help us for sure. I don't think LaMelo needs to have any more cameras around him, but in terms of what LeBron would bring on the court and in terms of helping to reset the chemistry of team and give us a more serious counterbalance to LaMelo's personality, I think he would really be a good fit. If he signed with us, it would be hard to argue that it isn't the most talented Wolves roster ever.

[Lipoli390]

I woke up this morning imagining I’m LeBron. Ok, you’re probably thinking I need professional help and you’re probably right. But let me first take you through my morning delusion to my tentative final decision on where I plan to sign for my last NBA season.

I’ll start by saying that Tim is correct. My top priority at a granular level is my last-season documentary. The documentary will be my final opportunity to shape and solidify my legacy, which is my #1 overarching priority. Don’t get me wrong, I want to win. But you need to understand that my drive to win is tied to my legacy. I understand you can’t be great in sports if you don’t win and if you’re the chosen won, as I am, certainly you’re not chosen to lose. That doesn’t mean I have to win the NBA title next season to secure my legacy. But it does mean I can’t just play for fun. I have to be in a position where I’m at least among those competing for the prize near the end.

I can tell you that the six teams identified by my agent are truly the ones I initially thought of as possible destinations for various reasons. But as I’ve thought about it, I’ve come to realize a few things:

First, I realize the Warriors and Nuggets would not make sense for me. I love Steph and Draymond. Those are my guys and I know we’d have a blast playing together. But it looks like they’re not going to acquire Anthony Davis and even if they did I see their chances of winning the West as very low. Worse yet, of all he six teams on my list, they seem the most likely team to get knocked out in the 1st or 2nd round and possibly not even make the playoffs. For me an early exit or not even making the playoffs would be devastating to my legacy. Imagine my documentary ending at the buzzer of the last game of a four-game sweep in the first round or at the end of the regular season leading into a discussion of who the Warriors will target in the draft. That’s a risk I can’t take and that risk would be far greater with the Warriors than any of the other five teams I’m considering. A prematurely shortened documentary that ends in a fizzle is not LeBron. The Nuggets carry the same risk albeit less than the Warriors. Last season, the Wolves knocked them out in the first round when Ant was hobbled. I’ll add that there’s really nothing special about the Nuggets. They might have the League’s best player in Jokic, but neither he nor anyone else on that roster is particularly exciting or box office. It wasn’t that long ago when the Nuggets one a title, so they’re not one of those long-suffering franchises that I can help rescue. I’ll add that Denver isn’t exactly an exciting destination city. Their climate is not much better than Minnesota’s in the winter and I don’t like the altitude. So while my agent hasn’t said this, I’m letting you know right now that the Warriors and Nuggets are no longer on my list.

Second, I realize that returning to the Heat doesn’t work for me. I’ll sum it up like this: Been there, done that. Yes, I see the drama in returning to South Beach, playing alongside Giannis and being embraced again by the Godfather, Pat Riley, after a bitter separation. But that’s not enough. It’s drama for my important documentary, but it doesn’t rise to the level of legacy material. I need more and I think I can get more with one of my other three alternatives.

Third, after starting to lean towards the Sixers, I’ve decided that’s not optimal for me and here’s why. Yes, I love the way they’ve upgrade their roster with their one-sided trade for Jaylen Brown and other moves this summer. If Embiid stays healthy, I see them as the favorite in the East right now with or without me. But as I said, that’s if Embiid stays healthy because if he doesn’t then they’re no better than New York, Boston, Miami or Cleveland. Yes, the Sixers are one of the NBA’s iconic franchises and as you know I would have gone to New York if they hadn’t just won the title. All I can say is that the Sixers are not the Knicks and Philadelphia is not New York. I love the Liberty Bell thing and the Sixers’ history with Doctor J and Moses Malone, but all of that isn’t enough. Even if Embiid stays healthy and the Sixers come out of the East, I don’t see winning a title with the Sixers having the same legacy value as winning a title with the Lakers, which I’ve done, or the Knicks, which I would have liked to do.

So I’ve finally realized that I have only two alternatives that really work for me - teams that could give me the documentary drama and legacy material I’m seeking to close out my NBA career. Those teams are the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers. Right now I’m torn between these two and I’m not quite ready to make a final decision.

Let me talk first about the Wolves. I can envision some great documentary material with me mentoring two colorful young stars in Ant and LaMelo, helping them transition from individual NBA stars to champions. There would be some great documentary footage of really entertaining basketball on the court and probably some compelling footage of me counseling those two young stars and others, perhaps admonishing them, behind the scenes. LeBron the mentor. LeBron the stern schoolmaster. I can also see scenes of me slogging through the snow on my way to Target Center as I’m telling the camera crew, “this just makes us stronger.” And honestly, what could cement my legacy more than voluntarily going to a franchise NBA players have been avoiding for decades and helping deliver that franchise its first championship. I’d be the first player in NBA history to win championships with four different teams. MJ has six titles. I’d have 5 titles - four of them with four different teams. My agent really likes Tim Connelly and I think it would be exciting to play for an ownership that includes one of the greatest baseball players of all time. So the Wolves are very tempting.

As I think about the Wolves, I can’t help thinking about home - Cleveland or more accurately Akron. I’ve played there twice. My first stint was my initiation into the NBA. I was fortunate to be drafted by the team that plays where I grew up. And as you all know, I returned there after my time away in South Beach and led my home town team to its first NBA title. That was truly fulfilling. I then went to to Hollywood to play for the League’s most iconic franchise, the Lakers. LA was a great place for my family at that time in our lives and I was able to bring a title back to LA for the first time since the Kobe Bryant era. And now, as I reflect on my documentary and related legacy in the last chapter of my long NBA career, my thoughts keep returning home. Thinking about home, it strikes me right now that Cleveland a pretty compelling destination for me. I’d be returning home at the age of 40 where it all began at age 18 - not just returning to my first team, but returning to my home town. That sentimental theme is so powerful that my documentary and legacy would be enhanced even if the Cavs did not win a title or even make the finals. That’s an important safety net for my legacy. Yet, the good news is that the Cavs’ roster with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Mobley should be in the running to win the East, especially with my help. And they’re holding open a roster spot for my son.

Now I’ll tell you where I’m leaning between these two. I’m leaning towards the Cavs for two reasons. First, as I mentioned, my legacy wins even if the Cavs lose simply by virtue of the fact that I’d be returning home. In contrast, if I sign with the Wolves my legacy will depend almost entirely on winning a title and that’s a tall order in the NBA, especially when it would require getting past the Thunder, Spurs and whoever comes out of the East. Second, the chances of winning the East with Cleveland seem better than the chances of winning the West with Minnesota given the prowess of the Thunder and Spurs. And that leads me back to my documentary. I think the documentary is much better if it carries through to the finals, even if the team I’m with is swept by the Spurs, than it would be if my team were to get knocked out in the Western Conference Finals. It seems to me that the chosen one’s grand NBA finale should not end before the NBA’s grand finale - namely the NBA finals. If I can’t win another ring in my final year, I at least want to be there at the end where the ring is within my grasp.

I might change my mind between these two over the next few days and decide to throw caution to the wind and go north to Minnesota. The idea is exciting. But my documentary and legacy keep tugging at my heart strings and drawing me back to Cleveland.

So you don’t need to ready any more media accounts. You’re heard it directly from me, LeBron.

[Monster]

What I'm gathering is people really want Lebron here even if they are trying to play it cool. Lol I'm also in that group.

You know what is one maybe small piece that could MAYBE sway Lebron to go to Minny? The Lynx and Olivia Miles. Miles is basically the most exciting basketball player to join the WNBA this year and has kinda brought back the idea of the true passing PG to many. Could Lebron and his group find a way to weave in something to add a compelling element with the Lynx?

I'll just say that while I would not be surprised if Lebron maybe already has his mind made up as some others have suggested if I was him I would be spending ridiculous time going over research and talking to people I trusted about what I should do next. I have several options. What's the best one? Is this really my last year? Do I want to try and get my son with me for that last season? Logistically what is this going to look like for my family?

[Lipoli390]

What I'm gathering is people really want Lebron here even if they are trying to play it cool. Lol I'm also in that group.

You know what is one maybe small piece that could MAYBE sway Lebron to go to Minny? The Lynx and Olivia Miles. Miles is basically the most exciting basketball player to join the WNBA this year and has kinda brought back the idea of the true passing PG to many. Could Lebron and his group find a way to weave in something to add a compelling element with the Lynx?

I'll just say that while I would not be surprised if Lebron maybe already has his mind made up as some others have suggested if I was him I would be spending ridiculous time going over research and talking to people I trusted about what I should do next. I have several options. What's the best one? Is this really my last year? Do I want to try and get my son with me for that last season? Logistically what is this going to look like for my family?

I totally agree, Monster. I’ll confess that I really want LeBron end up here. But I’m trying to contain myself and avoid setting myself up for disappointment. For my own piece of mind, I first tried to convince myself he’s going to Golden State or Miami. But those scenarios just didn’t hold up under closer scrutiny. Denver has never made sense to me. I started to convince myself he’s going to the Sixers after reading his agent’s comment about LeBron going to the Knicks if they hadn’t just won the title. But as you can see, that move just doesn’t seem like his best move. As a last resort, I’m now in the process of convincing myself that he’ll go to Cleveland. .

I think LeBron talks to a lot of people and thinks these things through carefully.

[Coolbreeze44]

So, here is my observations on what is going on here...

• The process of creating this movie/documentary on LeBron's "potential" last season is every bit as important as winning a championship.

• This means we will have to suffer a ridiculous amount of media coverage and drama throughout the season should LeBron join the Wolves.

• But I suppose we are willing to put up with it if it helps the Wolves win a championship!

• Example: I believe LeBron has already made up his mind, but they need to create the suspense and drama for making their movie. They are probably filming segments of interactions with all the competing teams as a chapter in the movie, so most if it is kind of fabricated for the theatrics.

I think the Wolves are high up in the running for LeBron's services. The makeup of the team is ideal for LeBron to slide into. The storyline of helping a franchise win their first championship is compelling. The image of a "face of the league" handing the torch off to a new "face of the league" is such a feel-good story. All the elements for creating a "must-see" movie seem to be in place.

I expect the Wolves to keep their one "available" roster spot open for as long as it takes LeBron to make his decision. Should LeBron go elsewhere, my pick for the spot if Rocco. The 15th spot will be filled when the 2nd apron allows somewhere midseason, and that will depend on what the team's needs are.

Great take, Tim. I think you nailed it.

Unless Rocco plays so well this summer league that he deserves it (very possible) I think they keep him on the 2-way and then sign him to a NBA deal toward the end of the season with the 15th roster spot like they did with Jaylen Clark.

Monster, you simple fuck - that's actually a pretty reasonable take.

[AussieWolf3]

Great take, Tim. I think you nailed it.

Unless Rocco plays so well this summer league that he deserves it (very possible) I think they keep him on the 2-way and then sign him to a NBA deal toward the end of the season with the 15th roster spot like they did with Jaylen Clark.

Monster, you simple fuck - that's actually a pretty reasonable take.

Cool, what is this bit?