According to CBS Sports, Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin believes that LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers would rather join the New York Knicks than the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. According to Griffin, James could find it more attractive to play in Madison Square Garden than Staples Center. Griffin said the Garden provides a player with a different feeling and the energy in the arena is incomparable, saying “there’s just a consistent buzz the entire game.”
James is reportedly planning to leave Cleveland in 2018 and join the Lakers when he becomes a free agent.
However, Griffin said he doesn’t see James moving to the Lakers. Griffin floated the idea that James and his “guys” are brewing something for after this season. Griffin was referring to James’ close friends Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade. Anthony currently plays for the Knicks, Paul is signed with the Houston Rockets, and Wade is in his last season with the Chicago Bulls.
Wade could reach buyout with Bulls
However, Wade could reach an agreement on a buyout with the Bulls anytime so he could be free to join any team after that. According to Nick Friedell of ESPN, the buyout agreement could be reached at some point in the next few months. Wade exercised the $23.8 million player option in his contract, days before the Bulls traded Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Paul opted into the final year of his contract with the Clippers to facilitate his trade to the Houston Rockets. He could decide to sign elsewhere next summer or sign a long-term deal with the Rockets. Earlier, James, Paul, Anthony, and Wade agreed to play together at some point in their careers.
James plans to leave Cavs in 2018
James, for his part, plans to remain with the Cavaliers during the 2017-18 season. However, he did not mention his plans beyond that. According to NBA writer Chris Sheridan, James is 100 percent sure of leaving Cleveland, adding that the superstar’s relationship with team owner Dan Gilbert is beyond repair.
However, Sheridan’s report was disputed by Sam Amico of FOX Sports Ohio and Chris Broussard of Fox Sports 1.
With the Knicks, James could team up with Anthony if he decides to stay, and Kristaps Porzingis. Paul may also be enticed to join as their starting point guard while Wade could sign as a free agent with the Knicks as soon as he gets his buyout. Paul George may join the mix after his contract with the Oklahoma City Thunder expires after this season. It was reported that George will join the Lakers in 2018 but his plan hinges on the tampering charges filed by the Indiana Pacers against the Lakers' front office. If the Lakers are found guilty, they will not be able to sign George.
