So, let me preface this by saying I really dislike Lebron James, so I have a really hard time with his valuation. That said:

If LeGM hasn’t worn out his welcome in LA, he should have and I think it’s time for the franchise to let him go before he loses even more value and continues to destroy the franchise by making them make his moves. In other words Pelinka needs to stand up to him and say enough is enough. This is an outsiders view looking in.

The conundrum? What team is as big or bigger than LBJ’s head that can take on all the surrounding hoopla that goes with him? Not many, and of those not many, how many would he be willing to stick with and not ask out? I think NY is pretty much primed for this deal after losing the Mitchell negotiations.

OKC - My dilemma is do they need to get more picks (or possibly Quickley)? Prying SGA from OKC will take an overpay so is it worth? They get (and have) enough picks to find replacements in each upcoming draft and it seems by the time OKC is ready to start their march up the leaderboard SGA will not be on the same timeline as the players that Presti finds.

NY - I think this is the easiest sell of the 3 teams. They are a storied and desirable enough franchise to be able to handle LBJ and be a place LBJ wants to stay for a bit. If they were willing to pay 5 FRPs for Donovan Mitchell, they should have no problem with this trade. Getting out from under Randle’s contract while also getting a player of the caliber of LBJ, they should be licking their chops at this since he has a newly signed extension (which also means the trade can’t happen til Feb 10). Depending on how well JB meshes with the rest of the team, this move would at least put them in dark horse contender status.