Lakers: Los Angeles must root for Boston to land LeBron James

The face of basketball, LeBron James, has been heavily tied to the Los Angeles Lakers. However, his latest comments raise doubts in his potential LA arrival.

The Los Angeles Lakers are in need of a superstar and what bigger superstar is there to bring in other than LeBron James? James is easily the most powerful face in basketball, and quite frankly, has more power in the basketball world than most owners do. With the massive market of Los Angeles, this is a perfect partnership.

This partnership is not formulating out of nowhere, either. Reports have been released that James is potentially interested in joining the Lakers in 2018. Some have cited three separate reasons, others have brought in the potential of bringing in Russell Westbrook.

With at least an upwards of $40 million in cap space next season, the Lakers have the wiggle room to bring in James. If the Lakers are able to trade Luol Deng and Jordan Clarkson, which certainly are options, the team could have as much as $65 million in cap space. This is more than enough for LeBron and whatever superstar he wants to play with.

This has led to high hopes and big dreams from some Laker fans. For others, this is merely speculation.

For those that did not buy into the speculation, well, they very well may be right.

LeBron James recently stated that his plans to finish his career as a Cavalier have not changed. When the king returned home to Cleveland he did so for to end his career there, and so far, plans have not changed.

However, athletes are prone to go back on their word and to make decisions that seemingly only benefit them. While the love LeBron holds for the city of Cleveland is strong, his love for winning may be stronger. His love for his legacy may be stronger. There is one way LeBron may walk away, and that is if the Boston Celtics walk through the Eastern Conference.

LeBron has dominated the Eastern Conference will relative ease. Since becoming a member of the Miami Heat any team that James is on cruises through their conference foes. This year, however, feels different.

More from Los Angeles Lakers

The Cavaliers traded their star point guard and former first overall pick Kyrie Irving for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder and the Nets 2018 unprotected first round pick. Granted, with the addition of Crowder, the Cavaliers are better as a whole. But so are the Boston Celtics.

Boston now has a starting five that, outside of Al Horford, is completely different. Irving, Jayson Tatum, Gordon Hayward, Marcus Morris and Horford are the starting five. For the first time this decade, LeBron may be coming up against a better team in the East.

This is exactly what the Lakers want. If their rivaled Celtics can advance to the NBA Finals it may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Thomas could walk away as he will become an unrestricted free agent. The free agent market is not that salivating for Cleveland either, especially with cap considered.

For LeBron to win the only route to go may be indeed with Los Angeles. James can recruit another star, such as Paul George or Russell Westbrook, and form a completely new super team.

Next: Ranking which superstars will join LA

It may not be what LeBron James is planning to accomplish now, but at the end of the 2018 season, the decision may have been made for him. Laker fans: if you want LeBron James, root for the Boston Celtics just this one season.

Home/Los Angeles Lakers