Well, this didn’t take long.
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ championship champagne buzz hasn’t even fully worn off, and already we’re discussing the possibility of LeBron James leaving The Land for…the Los Angeles Lakers.
Correction, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is talking about James wearing purple and gold:
"I'm hearing that its a huge possibility that if he leaves CLE the Lakers could be in the mix" –@stephenasmith on LBJ's potential departure
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 20, 2016
Stephen A. then doubled down on his take, claiming every major free agent has the Lakers on their radar:
All the major ones are considering it bro. That money. That market. And Kobe is gone. I'm just telling you what they're saying.
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) June 20, 2016
This second tweet makes sense.
Los Angeles has great weather (if you hate rain). And Kobe Bryant is, in fact, gone. The Lakers can also open up two max-contract slots without even blinking. So two stars can try to join forces with one another in Hollywood. The idea of playing alongside Brandon Ingram (projected No. 2 pick) and D’Angelo Russell, plus maybe Jordan Clarkson (restricted free agent), carries a certain level of appeal as well.
But the LeBron chatter feels bizarre.
Would he really leave Cleveland fresh off winning the Cavaliers’ first-ever championship? I mean, LeBron has left a great situation before; he bolted from the Miami Heat after four straight Finals appearances. But he didn’t leave after a Finals win, nor did he leave South Beach after calling it home.
Lakers fans would do well not to get their hopes up. LeBron isn’t coming.
Hassan Whiteside might, though. So there’s that.
