Why Oklahoma City Makes Sense as LeBron James’ Last Stop

Thunder GM Sam Presti — LeBron’s proclaimed MVP — is more equipped than any team to draft his son, Bronny. Don’t count out OKC in the James family sweepstakes.

It’s no surprise that LeBron James might not be overjoyed with the trajectory of the Los Angeles Lakers right this minute. The Lake Show had a difficult first half of the season and are currently 27–31 and ninth in the Western Conference rankings. As the All-Star break approaches, there are doubts regarding the team’s capacity to contend for another championship.

 

Both James and Anthony Davis have experienced prolonged periods of injury. The trade that LA made for Russell Westbrook on draft night hasn’t resulted in the innovations that supporters had

hoped for. In light of all of that, James’ statement to The Athletic in an interview

that was released prior to Sunday’s All-Star Game—held in his native Cleveland,

no less—that not only is the door open for him to return rejoin the Cavaliers

before to the conclusion of his playing career, but that he would essentially be

open to playing with his son LeBron Jr. (also known as Bronny) wherever.

After the 2022–2023 season, LeBron will become an unrestricted free agency per the terms of his current deal. Bronny won’t be eligible for the draft until 2024, barring the one-and-done rule that prevents athletes from being selected right out of high school.

 

However, the elder James didn’t stop delivering noteworthy remarks during All-Star Weekend:

The four-time champion stated of the Thunder general manager who has gathered a ton of draft assets as part of an ambitious rebuild, “Sam Presti is the MVP over [in Oklahoma City].”

 

James reinforced his stance by endorsing Josh Giddey, a 19-year-old rookie guard

for Oklahoma City, and praised Presti’s general talent spotting, reminding

everyone that he was in charge of selecting a number of talented players,

including Kevin Durant, Reggie Jackson, Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka.

If King James was serious when he said he’ll go anywhere to play with his son,

the Thunder are actually the best position to pair him together with Bronny.

any things considered, if James is genuinely committed to playing with Bronny at any costs, Presti seems to be in

an excellent position to land him. It makes sense on the merits, especially in

light of the absurd sum of draft capital that OKC and Presti have acquired.

 

The Thunder have twelve second-round selections and up to seventeen (yes, seventeen!) first-round picks between

2023 and 2026. Presti can now pretty much get anybody he wants thanks to

this. Presti can and should choose Bronny if doing so also entails drafting

his father as part of a larger strategy to propel the Thunder into the playoffs.

Even though James will turn 39 by the end of 2024, he is currently averaging 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game at age 37. Despite missing almost 30% of the Lakers’ games thus far, he is tied for 15th in the NBA in win shares (6.2) with 23-year-old Hawks standout Trae Young.

 

When Giddey, a teenage Australian sensation who leads all rookies in triple-doubles, is paired with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a 23-year-old who averages 22.7 points and 5.5 assists per game, OKC will have its best chance of winning a championship since they lost to King James’ Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals with Durant, Westbrook, and James Harden.

 

Is Oklahoma City the most alluring and appealing city for NBA players? As of right now, the evidence is inconclusive. However, if When King James stated he would play with his son anyplace, he meant it. The Thunder are actually in the ideal position to match him and Bronny, and they may win their first title since moving to Oklahoma from Seattle in 2008.