Report: Clippers believe LeBron Will Consider Signing with them in Free Agency

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LeBron will be a free agent next summer

What's the story?

The Los Angeles Clippers organization are confident that they will be able to land LeBron James this coming off-season.

In case you didn't know...

Blake Griffin has just signed a five-year $173 million deal with the Detroit Pistons. The Clippers in return for Griffin acquired two starters in guard Avery Bradley and forward Tobias Harris along with backup center Boban Marjanovic, a 2018 first-round draft pick and a 2019 second-rounder.

The heart of the matter...

The Blake Griffin trade was reportedly the beginning of a larger plan for the Los Angeles Clippers. According to Marc Stein of the New York Times, the Clippers have their eyes set on the 4 time MVP and ‘strongly believe’ that they will also on be on his shortlist. Clearing out Griffin’s contract off their books have given the Clippers a chance to sign a potential max free agent next summer. DeAndre Jordan and Lou Williams are also expected to be traded to clear out more space, as per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Keith Smith of Real GM discussed the possibility of entering the sweepstakes for James:

There have been plenty of speculation lately about LeBron James becoming a free agent this coming summer. Kevin O’ Connor of the Ringer had a discussion last summer whether joining the Lakers or the Clippers is a possibility or not for the 3-time champion, with Wojnarowski authenticating the same.

What's next?

The Clippers' front office have until 8th Feb to make appropriate changes to the roster to find themselves in the best possible position to pitch for LeBron. The next few days will give us a clearer picture of their future plans.

Author's take

Every team in the NBA will be going all in to sign the King. The Clippers feel they have a chance of signing him. But the question remains whether trading away all the talent on the roster to sign LeBron will eventually force him to join another team that is more than capable of competing for a title.

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Edited by Yash Matange