LeBron James Might Bring a Surprise Teammate to His Next Team

The Big LeBron Puzzle

People have already been talking a lot about whether LeBron James’ next team will need to make room for his son, Bronny. But there might be another player who could come as part of the deal with the 4-time MVP (that means LeBron won the “Most Valuable Player” award four times).

• LeBron James is a famous basketball player.
• His son is Bronny James.
• Teams thinking about signing LeBron wonder if they must also take Bronny.
• There may be a second player bundled with LeBron, not just Bronny.

Golden State Warriors and Their Plans

The Golden State Warriors (a basketball team) have been strongly linked to Anthony Davis as part of their plan to get LeBron. But it’s actually Kevin Love who they may need to think about when making their remaining free agency moves.

Important Point: Free agency is the time when teams can sign players who are not locked into a contract. The Warriors might have to plan for Kevin Love, not just Anthony Davis or Bronny.

Kevin Love May Join LeBron James at His Next Team

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer on Saturday, Love may need to be a “plus one” for whichever team eventually lands James in free agency. They were previously championship teammates at the Cleveland Cavaliers (they won a title together there).

• NBA insider: a person who knows secret or early info about the league.
• “Plus one”: an extra person who comes along with the main person.
• Love and LeBron won a championship together before.

Love just finished his 18th season in the league and his first (and likely only) with the Utah Jazz. Here are his average stats:

• 6.7 points per game
• 5.8 rebounds per game (rebounds = catching the ball after a missed shot)
• 1.8 assists per game (assists = passing to a teammate who then scores)
• 37.3% shooting from the 3-point range
• 37 appearances (games played)

Why Love Might Not Fit the Warriors

As much as those numbers don’t look terrible, it’s still far more likely that Love is an end-of-the-bench piece. That means he would sit on the bench and not play much. He could be a waste of a rotation spot (a place for players who actually play in the game).

For an older, aging, and injury-prone Warrior team:

• They may not afford another player who is not a rotation option.
• Love has played just 60 combined games in the past two seasons.

Even if Love was still capable of being a backup big (a substitute tall player), Golden State don’t particularly need that anyway. They recently signed Charles Bassey as their third center behind veterans Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.

• Center: a usually tall player near the basket.
• Veterans: experienced older players.

Love would have ironically been a fantastic option for Golden State up until recent years. Especially on offense (scoring side), his ability to space the floor (stand in spots that open up room) combined with excellent passing would have made for a perfect fit in Steve Kerr’s system (the coach’s style of play).

Warriors May Need Other Moves to Convince LeBron James

As much as Love doesn’t make sense on this current Warrior roster, we don’t know how far the front office (the bosses) is willing to go to secure James’ signature. Everyone is waiting to see what the 41-year-old will do after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.

Possible Warriors moves:

1. Waste a roster spot on Love.
2. Trade for Bronny, whose contract at the Lakers became guaranteed right before free agency.
3. Trade for Davis, paying extra to the Washington Wizards knowing they’re also getting James.

There are so many possibilities that it would be surprising if the Warriors didn’t make a move before or after to please James. But they also can’t trap themselves for a player who hasn’t joined or played a single second for them yet.

Important Point: The Warriors like LeBron, but they shouldn’t hurt their own team for someone who isn’t on the team yet.

Summary

LeBron James may soon pick a new team. Besides his son Bronny, teammate Kevin Love might also join him because they won together before. The Golden State Warriors want LeBron and maybe Anthony Davis, but Love may not fit their needs since he is older, barely played lately, and they already have centers. Still, the Warriors might do unexpected things to get LeBron, but they must be careful not to ruin their team for a player not yet signed.

FAQ

1. Who is Kevin Love?
Kevin Love is a basketball player who just finished 18 seasons in the NBA and previously won a championship with LeBron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2. What does “plus one” mean in this story?
It means Kevin Love might come along as an extra player to whatever team signs LeBron James.

3. Why might the Warriors not want Kevin Love?
Because he is older, has missed many games due to injury, and the Warriors already have enough big men. He might just sit on the bench.

4. What other players are linked to LeBron’s next team?
His son Bronny James and Anthony Davis have both been mentioned as possible parts of the move.

5. Are the Warriors definitely getting LeBron?
No, LeBron is still deciding after leaving the Lakers, and the Warriors haven’t signed him yet.