Wiz of Awes
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Washington Wizards: Why LeBron James should join the Wizards

By Jen Julie Smith

CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards chat on the court during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 25, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 25: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers and John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards chat on the court during the first half at Quicken Loans Arena on March 25, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 19: Owner, Ted Leonsis, General Manager, Ernie Grunfeld and Head Coach, Scott Brooks hold a press conference to announce the re-signing of Otto Porter #22 of the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. on July 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 19: Owner, Ted Leonsis, General Manager, Ernie Grunfeld and Head Coach, Scott Brooks hold a press conference to announce the re-signing of Otto Porter #22 of the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. on July 19, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Wizards could afford LeBron James if…

Yes, Ted Leonsis believes in loyalty, and prides himself in the fact that his starting three are homegrown, in the sense they were drafted—Wall, Beal and Otto Porter. Porter, moreso in fact, as a product of Georgetown.

In addition, there were times early last season, where Porter was the best player on the team. Where he lit up Golden State from coast to coast. Porter is also a clutch shooter, and there were times where his hands should have touched the ball last.

But looking at the numbers, if the Wizards wanted James…. Well, let me rephrase that sentence, because everyone does. If the Wizards have a financial shot at James, they would have to trade Porter.

Of course, he has a 15 percent trade kicker.

Nonetheless, that’s $26 million off the books. Finding a team that wants to pick up Porter’s salary will be a challenge. But there are a lot of teams that would want the sharpshooter.

It would involve a sign and trade and also a third team. That means LeBron James would have to opt into his contract and force a trade.

The Wizards would have to send Porter to a third team like the Brooklyn Nets.

Porter would not have been able to go the Nets because he signed an offer sheet with them. However, the restriction is lifted on July 8.

Porter goes to the Nets. The Nets then send Jeremy Lin and Timofey Mozgov to the Cavs.

The Cavs send James to the Wizards. Now, there’s still a $9 million difference between Porter and James salary.

The Wizards front office should be able to figure out how to shed $9 million. No one is asking Wall or Beal to take a pay cut. (Unless they offered).

For the sake of argument, let’s say it’s financially feasible to get James onto the Wizards books, why would he want to come to Washington?

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