After reports of the Los Angeles Lakers making plans to target big names in the 2014 free agency class circulated, there were rumors that a possible super team could be in the works.
Now it seems those rumors were just blowing smoke.
It was reported that the Lakers planned on targeting Pacers' forward Paul George, Knicks' forward Carmelo Anthony and Heat forward LeBron James in 2014, but with both George and Anthony saying they plan to stay with their perspective teams, signing James is certainly impossible, if it wasn't impossible to begin with.
James likely will not seriously look at his choices until the end of next season. At that time, he is expected to use the same guiding principles as he did back in 2010: the talent on the prospective rosters and the chances they can lead to multiple chances at championships. Three years ago, teams chasing James like the New York Knicks and the then-New Jersey Nets were pitching the idea of pairing him with a second star.
James would be the most difficult signing especially after winning two championships with the Heat. If he manages to win a third or even come close, prying him from Pat Riley and the Heat franchise. Even if they fall short, Riley will be sure to add new talent around James to keep him in a Heat uniform.
James has also been speculated to be considering a reunion with the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially since giving young star guard Kyrie Irving such high remarks.
Since James' departure, Irving has given Cavaliers fans a reason to still be hopeful about the future after two disappointing seasons. Irving slowly became the face of the franchise after two seasons where he averaged 20.9 points per game, playing 32 minutes a night.
Now with center Andrew Bynum in the mix after agreeing to a two-year, $24 million deal with the Cavs, the thought of joining such young talent becomes all the more attractive.
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