We are half a year away from that moment, but the free agency of LeBron James is still one of the hottest topics in the NBA. The fact is that James himself probably doesn’t know where he will be playing in the 2018-19 NBA season, but that didn’t stop people to speculate that he could stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers, end up with the Los Angeles Lakers or god forbid, go to the Golden State Warriors. But, none of these options are good for him. The King should go to the San Antonio Spurs and get that GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) label he dreams about.
What is LeBron James chasing at this moment? The shadow of Michael Jordan, who is currently considered the greatest basketball player of all time. In order for James to catch it, he needs more rings. He won’t get that in Cleveland but in San Antonio? That would be an entirely different story. With Gregg Popovich as coach and Kawhi Leonard as his sidekick, James would cruise to at least three more NBA titles. No disrespect to Tyron Lue or Erik Spoelstra, but they are not all-time greats. LeBron needs an opportunity to be coached by one of the best coaches in the history of the game. MJ had always had that advantage over LeBron. Without Phil Jackson in Chicago, Jordan spent first three years of his professional career being eliminated in the First Round of the playoffs.
There are plenty of positives for LeBron in case he makes the move. He would be a part of a functional, well-oiled machine that always wants to win, opposite to the mess he is now in. He wouldn’t have to guard the opponent’s best player every night, Kawhi could do that. Also, if there is a coach that can find an answer to the offensive explosiveness of the Warriors, that is Pop. Popovich makes average players good and good players great. Imagine what he could do with a transcendent player of James’ caliber. Finally, other top free agents would follow LeBron to the Spurs. Playing with Kawhi didn’t draw people to San Antonio so far, but Kawhi and The King combo would certainly do the trick.
The negatives are that the Spurs would have to gut their bench in order to get LeBron. The King wants to be the GOAT but not so much that he would be willing to get a hefty pay cut. Also, James wouldn’t have the influence on the front office he has in Cleveland. There is no one above the Spurs organization.
As you see, the positives overpower the negatives, but unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that LeBron James will leave Cleveland. Although he should. He brought them their first NBA championship and three straight NBA finals trips. The King doesn’t owe them anything anymore.
