UPDATE: It appears Mitch Kupchak and company were more sly than anyone was led on to believe. According to Mike Bresnahan of the LA Times, Kupchak left immediately following his meeting with Anthony
Kupchak and Harris flew to Cleveland on a private jet immediately after meeting with Carmelo in Los Angeles this afternoon.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 4, 2014
Lakers stealth: They said they didn't have meeting set up with LeBron James' agent but Kupchak + Lakers biz VP Tim Harris are in Cleveland.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) July 4, 2014
In Mitch we trust!
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After an eventful day that saw the Lakers host Carmelo Anthony and offer him a max deal, the night only got more exciting as it appears the Lakers may be granted their wish of a meeting with LeBron James‘ party, namely his agent Rich Paul. Lakers general manager is en route to Cleveland to meet with Paul.
@ramonashelburne reports that Mitch Kupchak flying to CLE to meet with LeBron's agent Rich Paul
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 4, 2014
With the situation in Miami deteriorating between James and the front office, James’ camp has begun talks with various other teams, including the Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets, and even the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, none of the talks have included James himself, but just Paul and James’ contingent. If the situation doesn’t get better in Miami, James will likely start meeting teams in-person.
The pipe dream for the Lakers remains pairing James and Anthony up with Kobe Bryant and forming their own big three, but it would take some creativity financially, with Steve Nash‘s contract almost certainly needing to be traded away. However, with neither of them guaranteed, the Lakers will be doing their best to simply lure one of them into the purple and gold.
Paul and Kupchak will meet Friday, but no other timetable has been given and likely won’t for the couple days following. The Lakers will be one of a handful of teams hoping to get a face-to-face meeting with James. However, their lack of talent on their roster certainly isn’t a turn-on for James, who is leaving Miami for that very reason. The Lakers will have to sell hard on their tradition and ability to build title-contending teams and also the chance to play with Bryant and be given the keys to the franchise.