NBA Free Agency 2014: LeBron James Heading to Los Angeles Lakers?

Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (left) and Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (right). Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

There have been reports recently that suggest the Los Angeles Lakers are remodeling their roster to put them in position to sign forward LeBron James in 2014. Many feel this statement is blasphemous, some say this is bound to happen.

LeBron going to Los Angeles will never happen. I will try to dispel this rumor as how I see it.

Before I state my stance on this issue, let’s look at it from the Lakers’ standpoint. Currently the Lakers have no one in contract after the 2013-2014 season except Steve Nash. They will most likely retain Dwight Howard for a max-contract player.

This gives the Lakers $30 million to spend on LeBron and other assets. Essentially, having the league’s best big man always renders a team a title contender.

The only way this transaction can happen is if Kobe Bryant was truthful to his word and retire after the season. I really doubt Kobe Bean Bryant would actually play for anything less than the max.

Alright now time for my argument on why LeBron will never wear the purple and gold.

LeBron James before his infamous The Decision Special was  a beloved athlete. He plays to serve the masses. LeBron wants to desperately be loved by the majority. He tried to do as much damage control he could after that ESPN special. LeBron became the most hated figure in the NBA.

I really doubt that LeBron wants to go through that hellish process of undeserving hate. Going to Los Angeles will just put the nail in the coffin of James’ lovable persona. People will resent him for again taking the easy way out to win a championship. People will still hold the claim that LeBron can’t win on his own.

Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard (12) during the preseason game against the Sacramento Kings at the Staples Center. Credit: Richard Mackson-US PRESSWIRE

The best way to prove against that theory is to stay in Miami. In two years Dwyane Wade will be 32 and less productive than he is right now. People can then finally coin the Heat as being LeBron’s team.

By no means is Chris Bosh a championship’s best player, therefore he won’t take away the spotlight away from LeBron James. However, pairing up with Dwight Howard in Los Angeles will once again ignite the “can’t win it on his own” talk.

Dwight Howard has led his team to a Final’s appearance. There will be haters who are going to anoint the Lakers’ team has being Dwight’s yet again disapproving LeBron’s greatness. If LeBron truly cares about his reputation he will stay in Miami.

Also, the Lakers’ team of right now lacks any serious prospects and are just filled with old veterans and Dwight Howard. The Heat would still have Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and many of the same players they have right now. Why risk it and join a team with an aging point guard and a center who is notorious for being immature?

LeBron James is still entering is prime, which is extremely scary for any players of the opposing team. James is still improving in the technical aspect of the game and he will be coveted free agent when the time comes. However if I was running the Los Angeles Lakers, I wouldn’t expect a commitment from the three-time Most Valuable Player. Build a team around Dwight Howard.

If I was LeBron James, I would stay with the Heat for the rest of my career.

His legacy may be tainted but why completely ruin the painting by joining forces again just to get another ring. LeBron already has a ring and will not follow the lines of other greats, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, etc. who have failed to win a championship. Even if LeBron were to get more rings playing for the Lakers compared to the Heat, many will still hold the asterisk because of his inability to win on his own.

If LeBron wants to prove that he is the greatest of all time or in the top-5, he will need to stay and make his mark for the Miami Heat organization.