LeBron to LA & Heat reunion with their former forward

There are lots of reasons to be optimistic about the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite being two games under .500 (6-8), this young Lakers squad have somewhat overachieved through the first 14 games of the season. Lonzo Ball, amid his shooting slump, looks like the latest reincarnation of a rookie Jason Kidd with great court vision but no J. Kyle Kuzma is living up to the hype, while Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle are having the most efficient basketball of their careers.

Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka only hope the Lakers will continue growing and create more buzz as the season progresses.

After all, the Lakers front-office has made the necessary moves to put the team in position to be relevant this season.

On the other hand, next summer presents a different opportunity for the franchise. They will have the chance to load up their roster with a huge free agency signing. Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, and DeAndre Jordan are just some of the names that could be up for grabs eight months from now. But the biggest fish in the pond remains to be the King, LeBron James.

LeBronZo is real

Sports pundit Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports1 chimed in on the growing buzz in Los Angeles right now – the LeBronZo. L.A sports fans and several sports media personalities are starting to believe that 2018 will be the year when LeBron arrives in Hollywood to join forces with pass-first point guard Lonzo Ball, forming arguably the most entertaining duo in NBA history.

Cowherd really thinks the LeBronZo isn’t just a plain speculation or fan theory. He honestly believes LeBron to Lakers rumors have legs to stand based on the player’s activities (watching Lonzo in Summer League and training at L.A high school) and comments over the last six months.

The FoxSports broadcaster also pointed out the importance of the Lakers’ upcoming six-game stand that features four straight home games and two road games against the Sacramento Kings and L.A Clippers (Staples Center).

A strong result (4-2 or 5-1) during that stretch could push the Lakers over .500, and more importantly, put them in the spotlight even more.

“The Lakers during the next six game if they have a very good outing, they will be on pace to be a .500 team,” Cowherd said of the LeBron implication of Lakers’ upcoming games.

“You don’t think LeBron says 41-41, me and Paul George can add 13 to that.”

More stuff out of the rumor wire:

-Veteran NBA insider Howard Beck of Bleacher Report provided some insight on the Cavs’ slow start this season. The scribe says a rival executive think a blockbuster trade involving Kevin Love or the Nets’ first-round pick could be “on the table” if Cleveland continues to struggle over the next few weeks.

Love, who is averaging 17.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game this season, is still a valuable trade asset for the Cavs despite his defensive lapses. Any team looking for an upgrade at the power forward spot would be foolish not to kick tires on potential Kevin Love deal, though the progress of negotiations will entirely hinge on the Cavs’ asking price – which is expected to be lucrative.

-Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sentinel reported that the Heat could be open to a potential reunion with forward Luol Deng. The former All-Star swingman asked the Lakers management for a trade or buyout after falling out of Luke Walton’s rotation. Deng, who averaged at least 13 points and 5 rebounds in two seasons with the Heat, is an intriguing target for Miami on the post-buyout market. Despite the logjam at the four spot, Winderman thinks Deng can have a significant role under Erik Spoelstra because of the player’s familiarity with his system.