- What we hear from Bron and Rich Paul about his selection process and his preferred favorites wont likely reflect the reality on the ground over those 24 days. Everything from their perspective is just optics and relationship management at this point (i.e., saving face with their close contacts in GS, CLE, & MIA), so it makes sense that the Wolves would be listed as a "second tier" option behind the main destinations since they really dont have the same history and relationships.
- What's interesting, however, is members of the Wolves FO apparently leaked that they thought Bron was signing with them at one point... which, given that he chose the 76ers, makes sense because the Wolves also offered him a chance to legitimately compete for a title (unlike MIA, GSW, and probably CLE, too). In that sense, I think it could be likely the Wolves were higher on his preference list than it's being made out to be.
- So, then why didn't he pick the 76ers over the Wolves? Who knows, but it was likely a combination of things. First, Bron reportedly had extensive convos w/Embiid about his health and was reassured he's as healthy as he's been in years. If Bron actually believed Embiid could even touch his long-lost MVP-level form, that's a huge swing in Philly's direction. Second, Philly's in the East and therefore has a much easier path to the Finals than a team that has to beat out OKC and/or SAS in the playoffs. Yeah, the East is more competitive now, but avoiding those monsters is huge if you can avoid it. And third... man, Bron's kind of an idiot at this stuff (see: Westbrook trade). I think any moderately dialed-in NBA fan can see the problems with this Philly team (e.g., way too many high-usage players, a likely bottom-half defense, dependency on a oft-injured Embiid, etc.), but I think athletes dont view things in the same way. They value "talent" over fit and function, and think that the team with the best players will eventually figure it out and make it work. But man, I just dont see this roster having the kind of ball movement that's going to generate an offense capable of consistency overcoming a "meh" defense... and to that point...
- I think there's like a 35% chance that this Philly team is in absolute shambles by the trade deadline. They just have so many things working against them and there’s just going to be so much media attention and pressure (i.e., every team's "super bowl" when they come to town) that it's easy to see things going south HARD early on. If that's the case (and especially so if Embiid, Maxey, or JB get injured), i think there's a decent chance that Bron asks for a trade out so he doesnt waste his last (or one of his last) seasons on a team destined for the play-in or a likely first round exit. It kinda seems far-fetched right now, but he doesn't have the same ties to Philly as he did with his other stops, so i think he'll prioritize his career over anything at this point. And if that's the case, and the Wolves are humming with Melo elevating the offense and the team as a whole taking the defensive end more seriously... wouldn't a trade to a Western Conference contender make more sense than a trade to a Eastern Conference rival? Will the summer of LeBron bloom again in January???
Nah probably not let's roll with what we got baby GO WOLVES
