LeBron: Will He Stay or Will He Go?
Three different quotes, three different cryptic messages to foreshadow the future
Can anyone crack the DeVinci Code of LeBron James?
He’s given plenty of hints.
Three to be precise. All quotes. All over NBA All-Star Weekend. Let’s grab our Sherlock Holmes magnifying glasses or Monk’s helpful OCD instincts and figure out what King James is up to :
Praising the Thunder GM:
“The MVP over there is Sam Presti…I do not understand this guy’s eye for talent. He drafted KD, Russ, Jeff Green, Serge Ibaka, Reggie Jackson, and Josh Giddey…This guy is pretty good.” — LeBron James
The Lakers (28–35), meanwhile, made a gigantic move this summer in trading for Russell Westbrook to give them a big three of LeBron, AD, and Westbrook. Yet, the Lakers are still struggling, barely keeping hold of the №9 play-in position, have won just three of their last 10 games.
My first reaction was this was kind of a slap in the face to Laker vice president and general manager Rob Pelinka for his bad trades, and for his not making any moves at the all-star break.
However, remember, NBA insiders insist that all moves made by the Laker front office include James’ input, and is definitely OK’d the Westbrook trade.
LeBron in blue and orange
Why else compliment an opposing general manager like Oklahoma City’s Sam Presti? Did he really just feel compelled to say something nice about a fellow NBA employee just to pat someone on the back.
Things clearly haven’t gone the way LeBron has wanted — besides the 2020 championship — as a Laker. This year has to be an all-time low with so much talent surrounding him. Still, LeBron is putting up gaudy numbers at age 37, averaging 29.7 points per game (his highest since 2009 with Cleveland) and 36.8 minutes per game.
LeBron has one year left on his contract. Is it possible that he is sending the Lakers signals to trade him to the Oklahoma City Thunder for some of that incredible, young talent? Although LeBron is old in NBA terms, LeBron’s value is sky high with his insane stats, valuable leadership, and a championship pedigree.
This year has clearly been a bust for Laker fans. If it’s not broke don’t fix it. Well, it is broke, so let’s go out and attempt to fix it.
Father and son reunion
“Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.” — LeBron James
Bronny James is a junior for California state tournament-bound Sierra Canyon. Bronny could get his first shot at the NBA in 2024. However, right now, he isn’t starting on this crazy-good, high-school dynasty team.
Is LeBron pleading with Presti to draft his son, and he would follow?
Saying “wherever Brony is at, that’s where I’ll be,” shows zero loyalty to wanting to stay in Los Angeles. It’s almost like “I’ve had my fun in the city of angels, but the desire to play with my son is my first priority.” He made his Space Jam flop, but can always return to Hollywood for better movie-making decisions when he retires.
It’s a message to any and all NBA owners and general managers: “Draft my boy Bronny, and like the Pied Piper, I’m sure to follow.” Pretty enticing I must confess.
Sweet home Cleveland
And this last quote:
“CLEVELAND!!!!!!! This is for you. AGAIN. (Smiling emoji showing teeth, and winking emoji). What an ending to a beautiful weekend and night. #allstarweekend2022 (star emoji) #thekidfromakron (smiling emoji wearing a crown).” — LeBron James
Ah, a beautiful ode he tweeted after hitting his game-winning jumper in the All-Star Game to his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who he won a championship in his second stint with in 2016.
My translation here is “I still love and miss you, Cleveland. I would like nothing more than return for a swan song with the and find another pot of gold at the end of the proverbial rainbow — an NBA championship.”
In conclusion
Here are the three takeaways:
- It’s very clear LeBron is interested in playing with another team and soon, other than the Los Angeles Lakers.
- He’d go to great lengths to play at least one season with his son 17-year-old Bronny, currently a high-school junior.
- He has much admiration, respect, and love for his hometown team of Cleveland.
When you add it all together, the most logical destination for LeBron is him returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers and teaming up with his boy, Bronny.
Makes sense to me, at least if you are reading the same tell-sign quotes that I am.
Thank you for reading
Tagging my fellow NBA fans: Scot Butwell, Scott Younkin, Sreese, Deborah Camp, Jameson Steward, Gerald Sturgill, MarkfromBoston 🐾🍻, J.R. Spiers. Frank Priegue.
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