NBA Player’s give their opinion on LeBron James’ free agency
On Monday morning, ESPN released a poll that it had done with 48 anonymous players from 12 different teams. One major topic was LeBron James’ future after the 2018 season if he decides to opt out of the final year of his contract and become a free agent. Here are the most intriguing answers that analyst Scoop Jackson found about the Cleveland Cavaliers’ star player:
(Not all athletes answered every question.)
Where will LeBron James sign in the offseason?
Cleveland Cavaliers: 59 percent
Los Angeles Lakers: 22 percent
Miami Heat: 7 percent
Other: 12 percent
Others gaining votes: Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, “Not the Cavs”
One Eastern Conference forward said: “He won’t leave after all the moves they made last week.”
Where should LeBron James sign next season?
Cleveland Cavaliers: 66 percent
Miami Heat: 8 percent
Los Angeles Lakers: 8 percent
Other: 18 percent
Others gaining votes: New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, “No team in the West”
Which coach do you think LeBron James should pair up with?
Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs): 46 percent
Tyronn Lue (Cleveland Cavaliers): 18 percent
Other: 36 percent
One Eastern Conference centre said: “I think LeBron should be a player-coach.”
Which player do you think LeBron James should pair up with?
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): 12 percent
Chris Paul (Houston Rockets): 12 percent
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat): 12 percent
Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder): 9 percent
James Harden (Houston Rockets): 9 percent
Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs): 9 percent
Other: 37 percent
Which rumored team should LeBron James NOT sign with?
Philadelphia 76ers: 31 percent
Golden State Warriors: 28 percent
Los Angeles Lakers: 16 percent
Houston Rockets: 16 percent
Other: 9 percent
Others gaining votes: Los Angeles Clippers, Spurs, Washington Wizards
One Western Conference centre said: “LeBron is a competitor. He’s the type of guy who comes in and lays his hat on the line every night. if he went to Golden State, that would cut his competitive edge out. It would take something away from the type of player that he really is.”
Do you think the Ball family in L.A. is a deterrent for LeBron James signing with the Lakers?
Yes: 11 percent
No: 89 percent
One Eastern Conference player said: “If LeBron comes to L.A., then it’s the LeBron show. Not the Ball show.”
If LeBron James does leave, what do you think would be the main reason why?
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert: 29 percent
The roster is too weak to beat the Warriors: 27 percent
Not enough branding opportunity: 10 percent
Other: 34 percent
Others gaining votes: Looking for something new; trying to win a championship; he’s too old; “I mean, it’s Cleveland.”
Feature Image: Wikimedia