Revamped Lakers Set Eyes on LeBron for 2014

There’s no team in the league that is more competitive than the Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers is one of the most successful and storied franchise in the NBA. They always find ways to stay competitive through the years. And as early as 2012, they are looking towards the future; setting their eyes on the reigning league and Finals MVP, LeBron James.

Just recently, the Lakers were able to sign 2-time MVP Steve Nash. Shortly after, they were able to pull off a blockbuster trade that sent Andrew Bynum packing to Philadelphia, and Dwight Howard donning Purple and Gold.

And just like that, the Lakers are once again considered as legitimate championship contenders this season. With the aging, yet not really declining Kobe Bryant leading the way, the possibilities are endless for L.A. They still have versatile power forward Pau Gasol and the defensive ace (well, used to be) Metta World Peace to round up the starting line-up.

The Lakers are poised to challenge the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Western Conference Title. The Thunder, on the other hand, also made a blockbuster move sending reigning Sixth Man of the Year James Harden to Houston in exchange for Jeremy Lamb, Kevin Martin, and future picks.  While the Lakers and the Thunder look to be battling it out for the Western Conference crown, other teams such as the Denver Nuggets and the ancient San Antonio Spurs will definitely be in the mix.

While the Lakers have a legit shot at winning it all this season, they aren’t slacking off. In fact, sources are saying that the Lakers are going to make a run at LeBron James in 2014, where the reigning league MVP will be an unrestricted free agent if he opts out of his current deal.

LeBron James, having just won his first NBA title this season, has an opt-out clause in 2014 (but his contract is up to 2016). Most GMs and basketball people expect James to opt out in 2014, but this doesn’t mean that he’s leaving Miami. He can, and probably will opt out, in order to get a higher deal. His current contract isn’t a max contract, and James might be looking to get a max contract in 2014, which he deserves.

Come July 2014, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Metta World Peace, Steve Blake, and Jordan Hill’s contract will be coming off the books. Steve Nash will be the only Laker under contract on that year at $9.7 million. Assuming the Lakers are able to re-sign Dwight Howard this summer for around $20 million, the Lakers will still have a lot of cap space entering the 2014 Free Agency.

In short, the Los Angeles Lakers are definitely in play for LeBron James!

As of right now, there’s no use in trying to predict if LeBron James will even listen to the Lakers offer in 2014. For all we know, LeBron may not bother going through another Free Agency saga in which he was infamously involved in (The Decision) two years ago.

But for what it’s worth, the Los Angeles Lakers will still try to lure LeBron James to play alongside Dwight Howard and Steve Nash in 2014. Who knows? King James might be tempted to play with the best big man in the game..