As LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to conquer a daunting first-round challenge, LeBron's uncertain future with the organization looms large. James is a free agent following the season and can technically leave the Lakers. Plenty of fans and analysts have predicted that LeBron will indeed depart LA, whereas others believe a return is already very much in the cards.
ESPN's reputable NBA insider Brian Windhorst belongs to the latter camp -- Windy reiterated on Thursday that the most likely destination for LeBron next season is a return to the purple and gold.
Brian Windhorst predicts LeBron James will return to Lakers
The Lakers have every reason to figure out the LeBron situation ASAP following their season. As Windhorst pointed out, Rob Pelinka and LA's front office can't really proceed with any other major roster decisions until the LeBron question is answered. Windy even specified June 15 as the date by which the Lakers "will have to decide" on LeBron.
Interestingly, Windhorst said that the Lakers would have to move on from James if a deal hasn't been reached by that date. "They can't be wishy-washy about it," Windy pointed out, alluding to the myriad of other roster moves on Pelinka's plate this coming summer.
Ultimately, Windhorst asserted that LeBron will return to the Lakers because he'll be able to make the most money with LA (and he doesn't want to leave, in the first place).
Free agency landscape suggests Lakers can give LeBron best deal
Windy's prediction might come as a surprise to many Lakers fans who were under the impression that the Lakers were behind the 8-ball with LeBron heading into the summer in terms of being unable to compete with other teams on the market for Bron's services.
But according to Windhorst, there aren't any NBA teams that will be capable of giving LeBron something in the realm of a $35 million deal, which bodes well for a Lakers return. While plenty of squads would absolutely love to sign LeBron to the mid-level exception, Windhorst suggested that James will be able to make more by signing a new deal with the Lakers.
Windhorst admitted that he "doesn't know what the number is" that LeBron and the Lakers will land on. He also forecasted that there could be some "hurt feelings" during the process, suggesting that LeBron and his camp might get a lesser deal than they are aiming for. There are still plenty of unknowns with this situation, but a LeBron return is beginning to sound more and more inevitable.
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