Lakers Rumors: LeBron James, Paul George, Russell Westbrook In A Super Team Real Or Fake?

After the Golden State Warriors captured the NBA title this year with what amounted to an All-Star team, another "super team" appears on the cusp of forming in the coming weeks or by next summer and it could take shape in the land of dreamers. The Los Angeles Lakers, winners of 16 NBA titles and home to the entertainment industry, might be the landing spot for three superstars, according to recent rumors.

The biggest name linked to the Lakers is LeBron James. After leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in 2010, James has been with the Cavs for three seasons and may start to feel he is overstaying his welcome. James has just one title in three seasons with the Cavs and it took overcoming a 3-1 series deficit to the Warriors to pull it off in 2016.

The most legitimate rumor is that Indiana Pacers forward Paul George will join the Lakers in a trade or as a free agent. After the departure of Pacers team president Larry Bird, George appears interested in moving on to a contender. Then there's Russell Westbrook, who grew up in the L.A. area and played for UCLA. Westbrook has shined with the Oklahoma City Thunder but, like George, doesn't seem to have the supporting cast to go deep in the playoffs.

Many armchair basketball general managers and amateur Laker architects may want to take a step back and consider the big picture. Yes, the Lakers were able to clear $22 million in cap space this week but things are not as clear-cut as they might seem.

Right now, the Lakers have Brook Lopez and his expiring contract after trading D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov. Team president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka also have some intriguing young assets to dangle, such as Brandon Ingram, Julius Randle, Jordan Clarkson, as well as Larry Nance Jr. and Ivica Zubac.

Johnson and Pelinka also have incoming rookies. Signs seem to point to the Lakers drafting Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 overall pick. But there is a good chance the two first-round picks at No. 27 and No. 28 will be dealt.

While Los Angeles might seem like an ideal destination, there are reasons for top players to bypass the Lakers. The Lakers play in the same conference as the Warriors. Unlike Florida and Texas, California has state income tax. And players can face some fan backlash for leaving small markets to join a team composed of stars, something Kevin Durant learned quite quickly.

Will the Lakers land James, George and Westbrook, or is this all one big Hollywood-contrived fantasy? As is often the case with rumors, the truth usually lies somewhere in the middle. Breaking down each player's chances to join the Lakers might provide a bit more insight into the legitimacy of a possible super team.

Paul George

The Southern California native is signed through 2017-18 but is certain to leave the Indiana Pacers. His preference is to play for the Lakers but the Pacers may choose to deal him somewhere else.

It makes the most sense for Indiana to trade George to L.A. since the Lakers have plenty of talented young players to offer. The 27-year-old can sign a four-year deal worth as much as $130 million next summer but he can get a five-year, $177 million extension if he is re-signed by his club. The Lakers can offer either Clarkson or Randle and perhaps draft picks to land George. The Pacers may have no choice but to trade George to L.A. because other teams may balk at having George for one year if his heart is indeed completely set on the Lakers.

Prediction: George joins the Lakers in a trade

LeBron James

Time may be running out for James to win more titles. He turns 33 in December and has played in nearly 1,300 total games. He can opt out of his current contract next summer and sign with the Los Angeles, where he owns a home and a production company, SpringHill Entertainment. After success with his super team in Miami and just one ring in the past four seasons, James might be best served to bolt from Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love if he wants another ring.

But would James really leave Cleveland twice? The decision for James might come down to the Cavs fortunes in 2017-18. Should Cleveland make the right additions, it would likely entice him to re-sign. By re-signing he would avoid uprooting his life again and taking another perceived hit to his image. Meanwhile, only the Boston Celtics can be considered title contenders in the East. By leaving for the West, it would mean James faces the Warriors or the San Antonio Spurs earlier in the playoffs rather than the Finals.

This would be the biggest Lakers free-agent signing since Shaquille O'Neal left Orlando in 1996. It would also mark the second time James left the Cavs for a warm-weather city.

Prediction: James says, "thanks but no thanks" to the Lakers

Russell Westbrook

The Thunder are looking to rebuild around Westbrook after Durant left last summer. However, Westbrook can choose to be an unrestricted free agent in 2018. He's a tremendous talent and his versatile skills seem a bit wasted on a roster devoid of another elite player.

But will he play for the Lakers? Westbrook isn't exactly the most transparent player in the league, so it's difficult to gauge his intentions. But if the Lakers make a serious push, he seems like he can be convinced to return to his hometown with a better chance to win a title.

Prediction: Lakers trade for Westbrook after he declines the Thunder's contract extension