San Antonio Spurs: LeBron James should join SAS, says Stephen Jackson
By Rob Wolkenbrod
Stephen Jackson thinks the San Antonio Spurs are the best destination for LeBron James in the 2018 offseason.
The 2018 offseason will potentially become the most important in San Antonio Spurs history, even with Tim Duncan’s almost-departure in 2000 to the Orlando Magic. This time it surrounds Kawhi Leonard, who sat out injured for most of the season and was the subject of rumors of issues with the franchise.
If Leonard stays, though, then it focuses on the pieces to add around him and LaMarcus Aldridge, the star of the show in the 2017-18 season. Who does that include?
It’s hardly a guarantee that San Antonio can sign LeBron James, if it even stands a chance at this historic offseason transaction. However, former Spur Stephen Jackson, on FS1’s Speak For Yourself, said he thinks this organization is the best fit for the four-time MVP.
"I definitely see LeBron leaving… San Antonio is the best spot. He'll be coached, he'll be with the best two-way player in the game and an organization that's used to winning." — @DaTrillStak5 pic.twitter.com/tNjRsIRpg4
— Speak For Yourself (@SFY) June 5, 2018
Sure, Leonard, Gregg Popovich and the organization itself has appeal, but pulling off this acquisition is easier said than done. That’s given the unknown salary-cap situation for the Spurs, with three restricted free agents, three players with options in their 2018-19 contracts and whatever Tony Parker commands this summer as a 17-year guard that wants to play three more years.
It likely takes at least one or two trades, pending who re-signs, to just stand a chance at James, who might command the max salary of over $35 million. Leonard may sign his own “supermax” deal, but along with LaMarcus Aldridge’s $20 million-plus salary, would the Spurs willingly tie most of their cap up in three players?
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Either way, James’s’ future will become a talking point this offseason, as long as he actually opts out of his contract, as there’s still a player option that remains for the 2018-19 season. So the conversation could be put to bed before free agency even starts on July 1.