Kevin Durant and Lebron James (Photo : NBAE via Getty Images)
The Cleveland Cavaliers are now down 0-2 against the Golden State Warriors and naysayers are already counting them out.
It was an embarrassing 110-77 drubbing but the series shifts to Cleveland for the next two games. If LeBron James' crew wins both of them, the Warriors' lead is erased. In other words, the Finals is far from over.
But it's a fair and interesting discussion to have, what if the Cavaliers lose again, with both LeBron James and Kevin Durant-the last two MVP's before Steph Curry stormed in, being free agents? What if LeBron James loses badly and starts to ponder whether he can really win a championship in Cleveland with the roster he has now?
Surely, it would be the butt of jokes and there would be creatively crafted memes about it, but LeBron leaving Cleveland again, seriously? It has been discussed in their first Christmas day game in 2014 when they eavesdropped on James and Wade's private conversation (video link here) but it would be tough for the Heat to sign both of them because of their salary cap issues not to mention the Chris Bosh situation.
The team with the most salary cap this offseason is the LA Lakers. They have enough space to max out both players (but will have to fill out the roster with minimum contracts). Magic Johnson has given his endorsement to pursue both Durant and James on Twitter.
Laker Nation: The first free agent the Lakers should go after is Kevin Durant.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016
Laker Nation: The Lakers should call LeBron James agent. We know he's going stay in CLE but they should go after him just in case he leaves. — Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 2, 2016
That is definitely a pipe dream to sign both of them but both the Thunder and the Cavs know that this season was their best opportunity to take down the Warriors. They were healthy, they both improved from last season with a year more of experience. Both teams had coaching changes but they did prove successful in the early stages of the playoffs.
Their respective teams would not do anything, but the decision is not theirs. It's fully on LeBron and KD. How would they react if they lose again, knowing that they have so many options-including each other?
For his part, LeBron James has said that he will entertain an offer from the Lakers if he wins the title in Cleveland. The source is questionable (Stephen A. Smith) and we can take it with a grain of salt, but this is the quote (h/t Lakers Nation).
"Chances are he's not thinking about doing any such thing before delivering a championship to Cleveland," Stephen A. Smith said. "But once he delivers a championship to Cleveland, all bets are off. I would still say the odds on favorite is for him to remain in Cleveland, but if he delivers the Cavs a championship this year, it's entirely possible that LeBron could elect to go to someplace like Los Angeles."
What if he didn't, and it dawns on him that he couldn't? And neither can his ultimate rival? It sounds like a plot from a movie, joining forces to battle a greater, common enemy. It's wildly entertaining-but with LeBron James, anything is possible. And who knows what Durant is thinking now?
It's not about the Lakers, it's just that it's the team that can accommodate them cap wise. The only thing is, don't count the two superstars out of the free agent derby yet. As long as there's no signature on the dotted line, a free agent is a free agent, whoever it may be.
