Podcast 328: LeBronwatch, Day 8453
2026-07-13You might think it hyperbole, but we’ve been been on watch for where LeBron would end up playing for almost 8500 days. That’s right, 8453 days ago, we were watching our TVs for the NBA draft lottery when one LeBron James fell into Cleveland’s lap on that fateful day in 2003. We’ve been tracking his movements around the NBA ever since, and here we are one more time, supposedly waiting for the King to decide between Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and Minnesota. So much smoke for one more grandstand: I won’t even say it’s the last grandstand because given the King’s longevity, we might all be doing this again in a year or two. Anyway, Eli, Chris, and Nate climbed up to the podcast tower to scan the horizons for any sign of the King’s return to Cleveland.
Will he be back? Will he take his talents to South Beach yet again? Does Minnesota have a chance? Is Kevin Love along for the ride? We pondered all these questions and more, and to wile away the hours, we broke down some Sumer League action, and pondered what roster moves the Cavs might make if LBJ returns or if he declines. With no real intel to be gathered from our tower’s spotlight, we looked around the NBA and graded the offseason for the rest of The Association, which is very much still in limbo as their front offices wait for word like the rest of us. Who crushed their offseason? Who is lost at sea? Who is best positioned to take advantage of Adam Silver’s nutty new rules? Who stole the stationary from the desk of Koby Altman? We mused idly as our long watch continues.
As always, catch us below, download the full audio file, or listen on Apple Podcasts, TuneIn, or Spotify.
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Good pod.
Spida and LBJ both sighted at Jay Z concert in NYC. IDK if they were together or not.
With Wade gone it is LeBron or bust. We need at least 1 other big wing in addition to the King. Still pathetically small out there and it isn’t like age 41/42 LeBron is anywhere close to an elite defender. He shoukd be playing more 4 if his back can take it.
Yep, I was never hitching my hopes to the the LeBron wagon but the minute they let Wade walk I was instantly desperate to find out if he’s coming back. No clue what the back-up plan will be if he doesn’t.
Unlikely Bronny gets cut. LBJ told the Lakers he was not coming back the day after it was guaranteed.
Agree 100% on liking Murphy better. No juice.
I believe we only have one pick (1st) we can trade.
Here is the math on picks, can only trade 7 years out & cannot do consecutive years.
2027: no first
2028: have, cannot trade
2029: no first
2030: have, cannot trade
2031: have, teadeable
2032: have, can trade, but not if 2031 goes
2033: have, frozen (2nd apron penalty)
Not counting on a cut. Counting on a trade.
Trent made $16-$18 for 3 years previous to the last two.
Branham, I believe, has 4 years of NBA experience, and is therefore ineligible for a 2 way deal (has to be 3 or fewer).
FWIW, I don’t think a couple good SL minutes is justification for PO minutes.
Giving LeBron the non-taxpayer MLE to LBJ would hard cap us at the first apron. That cannot happen.
FWIW, NBA Raptors were BEFORE LeBron in 2020, not after. They beat GSW with KD.
2026: NY
2025: OKC
2024: Boston
2023: Denver
2022: GSW
2021: Milwaukee
2020: Lakers
2019: Toronto
2018: GSW
2017: GSW
2016: Cavs
2015: GSW
To the start of LeBron:
2014: SA
2013: Miami
2012: Miami
2011: Dallas
2010: Lakers
2009: Lakers
2008: Boston
2007: SA
2006: Miami
2005: SA
2004: Detroit
2003: SA
Then you get into Shaq/Kobe, MJ, Dream, MJ. With Timmy/Admirals first thrown in.
2002: Lakers
2001: Lakers
2000: Lakers
1999: SA
1998: Bulls
1997: Bulls
1996: Bulls
1995: Houston
1994: Houston
1993: Bulls
1992: Bulls
1991: Bulls
Then you got the Bird/Magic era and the Bad Boy Pistons.
1990: Detroit
1989: Detroit
1988: Lakers
1987: Lakers
1986: Celtics
1985: Lakers
1984: Celtics
1983: 76ers
1982: Lakers
1981: Celtics
1980: Lakers
Seventies:
1979: Seattle Supersonics
1978: Washington Bullets
1977: Trailblazers
1976: Celtics NBA/NY Nets ABA
1975: GSW NBA/Kentucky Colonels ABA
1974: Celtics NBA/NY Nets ABA
1973: Knicks NBA/Pacers ABA
1972: Lakers NBA/Pacers ABA
1971: Bucks NBA/Utah Stars ABA
1970: Knicks NVA/Pacers ABA
Celtics Dynasty Era:
1969: NBA Celtics/ABA Oakland Oaks
1968: NBA Celtics/ABA Pittsburgh Pipers
1967: 76ers
1966: Celtics
1965: Celtics
1964: Celtics
1963: Celtics
1962: Celtics
1961: Celtics
1960: Celtics
1959: Celtics
1958: St. Louis Hawks
1957: Celtics
Pre Celtic Dynasty, post BAA/NBL merger, Mikan era:
1956: Philadelphia Warriors
1955: Syracuse Nationals
1954: Minneapolis Lakers
1953: Minmeapolis Lakers
1952: Minneapolis Lakers
1951: Rochester Royals
1950: Minneapolis Lakers
1949: BAA Lakers/NBL Anderson Duffy Packers
1948: BAA Baltimore Bullets/NBL Lakers
1947: BAA Warriors/NBL Chicago American Gears
NBL only era:
1946: Rochester Royals
1945: Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons
1944: Fort Wayne Zollner Pistons
1943: Sheboygan Red Skins
1942: Oshkosh All-Stars
1941: Oshkosh All-Stars
1940: Akron Firestone Non-Skids
1939: Akron Firestone Non-Skids
1938: Akron Goodyear Wingfiots
Regional Leagues and ABL before that.
If LeBron makes a choice, I think the announcement will be today, Thursday, or after the WC Final. The King will want max exposure and attention.
Weirdly, I agree with Chris. Less LBJ Cavs optimism than a week ago. Legit reasons for Philly (Maxey, no title since Moses/Dr.J in ’83), and Minny (Ant, no titles since Mikan) and GSW (Curry).
“Belly Boop” thank you guys for the Pritchard roast.
🙏🙏🙏🙏GUYS—-SO IF KLOVE IS PART OF THE‘PACKAGE’ DEAL—- DOES THAT HELP/ HINDER US —— MORE DIFFICULT MONEY WISE/ ROSTER WISE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN—— I HAVE ALWAYS LIKED KLOVE BUT IS HE EVEN A SERVICEABLE PLAYER AT THIS STAGE OF HIS CAREER
Be great to have him back for locker room vibes and as a solid 3rd stringer. But yes, if this theoretical team wants a shot at a chip I don’t think Kev can contribute much.e