Lebron James to join Lakers?

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James

LEBRON James could have a new team by July, when NBA free agency begins. And if he is on his way out of Cleveland again – either as a free agent or in a trade, depending on whether or not he opts in to the final year of his contract – the Los Angeles Lakers may have an early edge on the competition.

Not only does James have a home in Los Angeles, but as retired NBA All-Star Gary Payton told Black Sports Online, James’ 13-year-old son LeBron ‘Bronny’ James Jr. has already committed to a Los Angeles-area high school.

‘His son just committed to Sierra Canyon, which is in the valley of L.A.,’ said Payton, a Seattle SuperSonics legend who spent a year with the Lakers. ‘That’s where his son’s gonna go to school, with [Chicago Bulls legend] Scottie Pippen’s son and [former New Jersey Nets All-Star] Kenyon Martin’s son.’

Sierra Canyon recently produced such NBA prospects as Duke’s Marvin Bagley III, widely expected to be one of the top picks in this month’s draft, so Bronny is in the right place if he hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps, as many have speculated he will.

The Lakers, unlike the crosstown Los Angeles Clippers, will have salary cap space to potentially sign James and Oklahoma City All-Star Paul George, a California native, which is another reason to like their chances. – dailymail.co.uk