NBA Free Agency 2018: One reason LeBron James should sign with every team
By Ben Ladner
Toronto Raptors
Hilarious as it would be for LeBron to join the team he has thrice vanquished in the playoffs, Toronto would be a logical fit for the King (even before considering the intuitive LeBronto nickname). The Raptors have long been a piece away from contention and repeatedly run into the same postseason wall. Signing James would fix both problems. Playing off of the best playmaker in the league would create easier shots for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, having such capable shot-makers around him could unlock easier opportunities for James as well. Dropping him into the starting lineup in place of Serge Ibaka or Jonas Valanciunas would also allow Toronto to downsize to a more mobile, modern look on both ends of the floor. He and OG Anunoby would make for a versatile defensive tandem, with Anunoby drawing opponents’ best wings and James stashed on the other. Play them together with Pascal Siakam, and Toronto would have three guys that could legitimately switch 1-through-5 when engaged.
In a realistic scenario, the Raptors won’t be able to create the cap space necessary to sign James. Lowry, DeRozan, Ibaka and Valanciunas will make close to $100 million combined next season, and the team’s young guns will be due for raises in the future. A sign-and-trade might be workable, but it would require dealing away core assets. Still, Toronto remains my favorite outside shot destination.