Former NBA power forward/center John Salley predicted that Cleveland Cavaliers superstar #LeBron James will hang up his sneakers after the 2017-18 season. Salley made the bold statement on ESPN’s “First Take," saying that James has nothing left to prove after winning three NBA titles and four MVP awards, and making the All-Star team 13 times. "I think he’s going to retire after next year,” said Salley, a four-time NBA champion -- twice with the Detroit Pistons in 1989 and 1990, once with the Chicago Bulls in 1996, and once with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000.
Salley was one of the players in the Pistons “Bad Boy” era, suiting up for Detroit from 1986 to 1992. He then moved to the Miami Heat where he played from 1992 to 1995. He played one season with the Raptors before he transferred to the Bulls.
Salley ended a brief retirement after he suited up in the Greek Basketball League for Panathinaikos before he joined the Lakers in 1999. After winning his fourth title, he retired, proclaiming “that he won four championship rings with three different teams in three different decades and two different millenniums." In 748 career games, Salley averaged 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
James will not suit up for the Clippers
Rumors are swirling that James is planning to ditch the Cavaliers and move to a Los Angeles team in 2018.
However, NBA veteran reporter Mike Wise of "The Undefeated” stated on the “Freddie and Fitz” podcast that James will definitely not play for the Clippers. Wise said that he got his information from a “very good authority” that James will never wear a Clippers uniform. Wise did not reveal the name of his source but he is certain that James will “never be a Clipper."
Wise speculated that James “remembers what the Clippers used to be” or he “thinks Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is just too animated on the sideline." Earlier, James and his close friends Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, Chris Paul of the Clippers, and Dwyane Wade of the Chicago Bulls hatched a plan to play together at some point in their respective careers.
However, Wise said it will not happen with the Clippers.
LeBron bringing Anthony, Paul George to Cleveland?
According to ESPN, the Cavaliers are eager to pursue Paul George via trade from the Indiana Pacers. They are also the favorite to land Anthony when he secures a buyout from the Knicks this summer. Recently, the Cavs were reported to be working on a three-team trade that would send George to Cleveland and Kevin Love to the Denver Nuggets.
