James' agent, Rich Paul, has been busy working since the finals, actively contacting many of James' potential suitors, including the Lakers, to discuss the possibility of joining.
Since James' contract still has one year left, he doesn't just want to leave. The team that accepts it must first have enough chips to trade James from the Cavaliers, and after the trade, it must also have a certain degree of championship strength.
, only then will he be considered by James.
This is why the Lakers will become James' first choice.
Wang Feng's performance this season has been witnessed by everyone. He has super scoring ability and the same defensive level as before. If James, a master of rhythm organization, is paired with him, the two will definitely be able to exert a super chemical reaction and be invincible in the league.
The Lakers also have the bargaining chips to trade James, such as Ingram, Ball, Kuzma, Randle and other high-quality rookies, as well as first-round draft picks, which are definitely chips that the Cavaliers cannot refuse.
Even after the Lakers traded James, they had enough salary space to sign a star with a salary of about 20 million to form a Big Three configuration and immediately became the favorite to win the championship.
It's just that James and his agent thought well, but when they contacted the Lakers again, they were shocked to find that the other party's attitude was so determined.
"I'm sorry, Rich, we really hope to get LeBron, but he is still a player under contract. If we want to get him, the price we have to pay is too high. Not only is he a young player with full potential, but also a young player with great potential.
Pay at least two or three first-round picks."
"Although LeBron is the most outstanding basketball player on the planet, he is, after all, a 34-year-old veteran who will be 35 next season. After unanimous discussions with our management, we still feel that such a risk is too high.
Big."
"We have a proposal. Otherwise, we have to wait another year. After LeBron's contract expires next year, we are willing to offer a maximum salary for at least three years. By then, the Lakers will have a strong lineup, and with LeBron, they will definitely be able to compete for the championship.
.”
…
"Damn it, those bastards from the Lakers actually want to have sex for free!"
Rich Paul hung up the phone and couldn't help but curse.
If James' contract expires this year, these guys will definitely come over and lick him like pugs, begging James to sign a contract with them.
But now, knowing that trading James would require a huge bargaining chip, he actually backed down.
"You are not willing to pay the price for LeBron this year, and you still think you can have him for free next year without any payment? Hum! Dream!"
While cursing, Rich Paul looked at James, who was sitting silently on the sofa next to him.
"LeBron, the Lakers declined us, what should we do next?"
James pondered for a moment and shook his head helplessly, "I'm afraid this matter is not only the attitude of the Lakers management. Wang Feng probably also played a very important role in it... He doesn't want me to join the Lakers."
As he said that, James sighed. "Actually, when he left the Cavaliers and I called him to stay, he said that the main reason why he chose to leave the Cavaliers was because of me. He didn't want to be my right-hand man all the time.
You have to be a team leader and lead a team forward."
"I originally thought that after a season, especially the failure in the playoffs, he would realize that it is impossible to win against a team like the Warriors alone. It seems that he has not changed his mind."
"In this case, let's contact several other teams. The Lakers are our first choice, but they are not the only option."
…
The NBA Finals are over, and every team is starting to get ready to take action. Although the free market has not yet opened, they have begun to operate secretly and actively, striving to enter the market as soon as possible to catch big fish when the free market opens.
There are indeed many high-quality star players in this year's free market, including Durant during the player option period, as well as top stars such as Paul George and Chris Paul.
Many teams are coveting these players, especially Kevin Durant.
Many people predict that after Durant won one more championship with the Warriors, it should be time to consider leaving. The league's highest honor has been won, and now he should go to a team to prove it again while he is still in his prime.
With him as the core of the team, it is fully capable of continuing to win championships.
Many teams in the league have shown strong interest in this super scorer who is considered the top scorer in history, including the Los Angeles Lakers, or Lakers fans.
Wang Feng + Durant, the partnership of two super scorers, the picture is simply not too beautiful.
But Lakers fans don't know that there is no preparation for Durant in the Lakers' signing plan.
…
Meeting room at Lakers Arena.
Wang Feng took a sip of coffee and looked at the elders sitting in front of him, smiling without saying a word.
It is now an internal meeting of the Lakers, mainly discussing the Lakers' recruiting plans and goals after the free market opens.
Participants include the entire management team, head coach Walton and two assistant coaches. Wang Feng is the only player and the first core member of the team that the Lakers value most and whose opinions and ideas must be considered.
Of course, sitting in the middle of the meeting were the team's owners, Jenny Buss and Jim Buss.
"I still think we must reconsider the possibility of trading LeBron with the Cavaliers. We can try to pay the minimum price to acquire LeBron. If LeBron's contract expires next year, the initiative will not be with us and we will miss out.
A superstar who can be ranked second in history, that is a huge loss."
Jim Bass said.
Wang Feng looked at Jim Bass and did not speak immediately.
If we follow the historical process of another time and space, it should be the deal brokered by Johnson after Jenny Buss fired Kupchak, the general manager of the Jim Buss faction, and appointed Magic Johnson as the team's new general manager.
.
Now, Jeanie Buss and Johnson have changed because of Wang Feng's firm attitude. Jim Buss wants to vigorously promote the matter of James entering the lake at this time. Obviously his purpose is not really for the benefit of the Lakers, but deliberately with
Jenny Buss is playing devil's advocate and wants to take back her rights in the team.
The internal fighting among the Lakers has not completely stopped even in 2022. It’s just that Jenny Buss’s skills are obviously much better than Jim Buss’s, so that’s why he can always be suppressed.
"Jim, we have discussed this issue many times. The price we need to pay to trade James is too expensive. There is no need for us to overdraw the future of the Lakers." Jenny Buss shook his head and said: "Moreover, we must also
Respect and consider the ideas of the team’s current core players.”