The Case for LeBron Back in Miami

I mean, wow.

The Lakers organization has been a horrific mess since the tail end of Kobe Bryant’s career, rightfully being knighted the ‘LOLakers’ for the majority of the past decade. That was overdone, perhaps, especially when the Lakers managed to land LeBron James on a four-year contract, seeming to set themselves up for a return to prominence.

How could they screw that up? Here’s the tutorial.

• They signed Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Javale McGee, Michael Beasley (the only #good signing, for obvious reasons) and re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to complete LeBron, while Lakers castoffs Julius Randle and Brook Lopez were better all season for other teams. Also missed out on signing cheap shooters around LeBron, like a Wayne Ellington.
• Watched as LeBron suffered a month-long injury for the first time in forever, with it not being clear if he was in any rush to get back.
• Suffered through some locker room melodrama after the ugly way the Anthony Davis trade discussions spilled into the public sphere. This appeared to affect young players Kyle Kuzma, Josh Hart and others.
• Missed the playoffs, which they always do lately, but which wasn’t supposed to happen this season.
• Had their team president and all-time legend, Magic Johnson, quit without telling anyone, in part at least, because he wanted to tweet more.
• Magic later gave some of the juicy details of what we’d all heard live on ESPN, that it was about Magic vs. Pelinka. And Pelinka won? Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised Kobe’s agent is somebody this ruthless. Pelinka has absolutely risen up the ranks as an all-time finesser.

i cannot believe what i just watched pic.twitter.com/QsH8i0wfVh

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 20, 2019

• Team was then taken over by the Rambii (“shadow presidents” Kurt and Linda Rambis, who have failed elsewhere) as well as owner Jeanie Buss and former agent/current GM Rob Pelinka (whom Magic Johnson apparently could not stand to be around any longer)

The Lakers will not make any changes based off this Magic Johnson First Take grenade because they value their inner circle + friendships more than they value the Lakers.

— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) May 20, 2019

• Fired their young head coach (Luke Walton).
• Hired a replacement (Frank Vogel) who hasn’t had success since at least 2014.
• Hired the notoriously power-hungry (and judging by the Bucks’ success without him, not so competent) Jason Kidd to be Vogel’s lead assistant and scared away Ty Lue, of all people, in the process
• Are now the subject of rumors/leaks that a LeBron trade is not out of the question, despite the knowledge that Kidd was hired to appease LeBron.

the nba franchise allegedly littered with plotting, scheming, and backstabbing has *since then* added jason kidd

— Pratik (@PatelESPN) May 20, 2019

So…..

What does it mean?

And could it mean something to South Florida?

In recent weeks, the  Miami Heat were named among betting favorites among potential landing spots for LeBron. Of course. He’s been here. He won two titles here. Pat Riley is desperate to change the course of the franchise back to something closer to what it was when LeBron was here.

Could this even be possible?

OK, probably not, but just listen for a second.

In a world where Kevin Durant re-signs with the Warriors, where Jimmy Butler was already on board (whether through some sort of sign & trade with Philly or via free agency), and one where the franchise sells Riley as being in position to move on from basketball, with Erik Spoelstra, Chris Bosh, Shane Battier and D-Wade moving up in the ranks of the organization and serving as the foundation of the front office.

Wouldn’t that be a pretty nice situation to re-join?

I’m Doctor Strange telling you there’s a million different paths this offseason could take.

But the one scenario where LeBron makes his way back to the-soon-to-be Dwyane Wade Boulevard is there.

This scenario would take both LeBron and Jimmy Butler making it clear they want to be in Miami. It would also be complicated to pull off but, with both of those assurances, Andy Elisburg could conceivably get it done. If Goran Dragic & Hassan Whiteside opt in, you can send their expiring contracts attached to some picks in a package for LeBron after pulling off a complicated sign & trade consisting of J-Rich + Olynyk for Jimmy Butler.

So, yeah, it’s a lot.

But considering the chaos in L.A., why wouldn’t LeBron at least consider pushing his way here, using his considerable influence. The organization that gave him everything he wanted (well, until those Mike Miller and Joel Anthony departures that were blamed for so much) with people he considers brothers in positions of power, in a beautiful city that *didn’t* bail on him immediately after he didn’t come through, with another star next to him to help him lead the other young players.

Crazier things have happened.

Remember the Big 3?