Is LeBron James realistic for the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors, you ask?
In a word, no.
But since we’re given a few, let’s entertain the notion.
At this stage of his supernova-like stardom, James wants for nothing when it comes to financial payouts. He’s essentially on his way to billionaire status in the realm of off-the-court endorsements, business ventures and minority stakes in European football clubs.
What he does crave, however, is a championship roster and marquee location conducive for winning NBA titles, building international empires and providing for his family’s happiness.
Sorry, Utah Jazz—you are none of these things.
Even with the benefit of the league’s third-most cap space and the flexibility for a sign-and-trade, a max contract wouldn’t take the sting out of living in Salt Lake City (no offense).
Utah-based digressions aside, the point here is that most teams qualify as total pipe dreams for landing LeBron. Some combination of roster, location, coaching, ownership and/or other factors prevents such deals from even being worthy of hypothetical musings.
But you can’t blame them. An infusion of $161.3 million over the life of a three-year deal is worth the effort—no matter how futile.
So, what about LA and Golden State? Where do they stand in the LeBron-a-thon Courtship Sweepstakes 2.0?
The Clippers boast the requisite star-laden roster featuring preeminent floor general Chris Paul, upper-echelon power forward Blake Griffin, dominant defensive center in DeAndre Jordan and Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford. They also have a top-three championship coach in Doc Rivers—whom James profoundly respects—and the best brand-enhancing location in professional sports.
What the Clippers don’t have is cap space. Only the woefully managed Brooklyn Nets are further extended past the luxury tax line than LA’s $13.9 million.
Trades and fiscal maneuvering are always possible; just not to the point of eliminating nearly $14 million in the red and making room for James’ still substantial contract.
There’s also a legitimate question regarding personnel compatibility. Both James and Paul are most effective with the ball in their hands. They both are at their best when running point, spacing the floor and orchestrating the offensive flow.
And basketball is played with only one ball last time we checked.
The Warriors, meanwhile, also enjoy the fruits of a championship-capable roster.
They feature the Association’s unrivaled backcourt of elite point guard Stephen Curry and two-way dynamo in Klay Thompson. They also have premier wing defender in Andre Iguodala and 7’0” center Andrew Bogut—a top-three big man when healthy.
Unfortunately, even though their cap situation offers more flexibility (minus-$1.4 million), the Warriors have neither the proven head coach nor the highly coveted location.
Steve Kerr is a Gregg Popovich disciple and may one day advance to the level of his former mentor. But he isn’t now—it’s still his first year on the job. And while Dub Nation has an aggressive ownership group and will eventually move to San Francisco, they’ll remain in the outskirts of Oakland for the next few years.
Finally, perhaps proving more impactful than anything else, both the Clippers and Warriors operate in the Western Conference. The Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are superior to any team in the East—outside of Miami—and should be for the foreseeable future.
So instead of sitting as the prohibitive favorites with an easy shot at the conference title year in and year out, James would face daunting, championship-busting competition as a member of the Clippers or Warriors—year in and year out.
Ultimately, then, the decision is simple: the Miami Heat give LeBron the best shot at securing multiple Larry O’Brien trophies. He knows that, and so do Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and team president Pat Riley.
The Big Three will reconstitute itself soon enough, Riley will acquire the necessary roster additions (Pau Gasol, perhaps?) and the city of South Beach will welcome them all back as if this free agency extravaganza never occurred in the first place.
LeBron isn’t leaving Miami, folks.
And with that, we wish America a happy birthday and nothing but joy to all those celebrating it.
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