The Cleveland Cavaliers are in the midst of a West Coast road trip, a usually daunting trek through time zones and tough teams. They will face the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns, and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Oh, and yes, they also play the Los Angeles Lakers in prime time Sunday night.
Rumors of LeBron James’ interest in the Lakers has been long-documented. It was normally dismissed, but the Cavaliers are not the same team. Since trading Kyrie Irving and enduring intense ups and downs, the Cavs are vulnerable and at times weak. The possibility of him leaving has appeared more and more possible. But according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Lakers are not likely to land LeBron.
League sources tell Shelburne that the Lakers are “still a long shot” to sign James this offseason, as he is focused on leading Cleveland back to the Finals. “If someone is pretending they know what LeBron is thinking, they’re guessing,” one source close to the situation tells Shelburne. “How could anyone know when he doesn’t even know?”
The Cavs and Lakers are both in good positions to sign James. Los Angeles cleared cap space during the trade deadline, thanks to Cleveland, and can offer a max contract to LeBron. But as another source tells Shelburne, the Lakers would have been able to clear cap space this offseason anyway had they not done earlier.
“His decision won’t be made to please others,” one source close to the situation says. “It’ll be made to please himself.”
LeBron has been rumored to have a list of four teams he would sign with this offseason. And yes, the Lakers and Cavaliers are both on the list.
