A while back now, Stephen A. Smith reported which seven teams LeBron James will be meeting with this offseason. While it’s difficult to confirm or deny the legitimacy of this list, specifically because of its source, it does offer some perspective as to who the 76ers might be competing with for the services of one, Mr. LeBron James.
So, here’s a look at the seven teams LeBron, potentially, will be meeting with this offseason:
Cleveland Cavaliers
This is going to be a tough decision for LeBron James. Does he stay and try to win another title for his hometown or does he run as far as he can from Jordan Clarkson?
If my money was on any one of these destinations, it’d be Cleveland, as crazy as that sounds. But then again, I thought the same thing when he went to Miami. Call it a gut feeling.
Hell, maybe the eighth pick in the draft is enticing enough for James to stick around? The chance to mentor Michael Porter Jr. might be temping enough if he were to drop to eight, but even I have to admit that’s a stretch.
The Cavs have been in talks with the Spurs about a potential Kawhi Leonard trade. The Cavs can’t offer the best package, but that’s hardly kept trades from happening in the past two years. If Leonard winds up in Cleveland, I think LeBron stays home.
Golden State Warriors
Fuck this. It might just be a hypothetical, but fuck this.
I don’t want to live in a world where LeBron James is a member of the Golden State Warriors, and honestly, something tells me LeBron wouldn’t either. There’s a general thought that LeBron wants to play on the west coast, somewhere warmer, but I can’t imagine LeBron and Steph Curry playing alongside one another. After everything the Warriors have put him through over the past four Finals, there’s no way he’d join the enemy.
Say what you will about LeBron, but he’s no Kevin Durant.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are the team that makes the most sense for LeBron James, as crazy as it is to say.
Even after Woodergate, the Sixers remain the most ideal landing spot for any free agent in the NBA. They’re coming off an unexpected second round playoff exit, they have two of the best young players in basketball, one of which being LeBron’s own protege, the first overall pick from last year’s draft waiting in the wings, the tenth pick in this year’s draft (or possibly a pick thats higher), a solid core of skilled role players, and enough cap flexibility to acquire another star player. There’s a lot to like about this team on it’s own, but adding LeBron James would make them a legit title contender.
LeBron has even stated that, wherever he signs, he wants to play more off-ball. Seems like he’d be a perfect fit next to his pass-happy pupil, Ben Simmons.
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics would be the team that makes the most sense for LeBron James, if it weren’t for his former teammate they acquired last offseason.
As long as Kyrie Irving is a member of the Celtics, LeBron James won’t be. When Kyrie asked to leave the Cavs, it was all with the mindset of going out and winning a title for himself. He wanted to prove he was more than just the Robin to LeBron’s Batman. I can’t imagine the Celtics would go out of their way to bring in the person their best player was trying to avoid, especially when he isn’t entirely tied to the franchise to begin with.
This is a move that makes sense for LeBron, but not the Celtics.
Houston Rockets
The Houston Rockets are similar to the Celtics in that they’d be a great team for LeBron James to join, but there are outside circumstances preventing it. For the Celtics, it’s Kyrie, for the Rockets, it’s their checkbook.
In a different offseason, maybe this deal gets done. The Rockets were a game away from a trip to the Finals and adding the best player in the league would make them a near lock for the Finals, but they have a lot of house keeping to attend to before they can even consider bringing in someone like James. The Rockets have to figure out contacts for Clint Capela, Trevor Ariza, and, most importantly, Chris Paul. With Capela headed towards restricted free agency, he could be in store for a massive pay day, whether its from the Rockets or someone else, which makes things even more difficult.
If Paul is willing to take a pay cut and the Rockets can shed a few contracts, namely Ryan Anderson’s $61 million guaranteed price tag, it’d be awful hard for LeBron to decide against Houston. Although, Chris Paul is already doubting it.
Los Angeles Lakers
HA!
Yeah, I laughed. I don’t care what the odds say, I can’t see this happening. I know his family and production company are in LA, but I don’t think that’s enough to get him to sign with the Lakers.
To me, the Lakers are a lot like the 2013-2014 Cavaliers, the year before LeBron came back to Cleveland. Except they don’t have a player nearly as good as Kyrie Irving, and I don’t expect them to acquire another star player to sweeten the pot for James. Paul George seems like he’s going to stay in OKC and I’d be surprised if the Spurs trade their best player within their own conference. Even if the Lakers do manage to snag Kawhi Leonard, a roster of just Kawhi, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart doesn’t seem like enough to get LeBron in purple and gold.
LA makes sense for LeBron and he wants to play for the Lakers, but that would mean giving up on a run at another title and I just don’t see that happening.
Miami Heat
This one’s really cute to me. There’s no way in hell LeBron James actually goes back to South Beach, but it’s nice that he’ll consider it just for old times sake.
It’s interesting to think what LeBron would add to a low-key decent Heat team, but I don’t think he takes them any farther than he would the Cavs and I don’t think he wants a repeat of last season. Maybe if the Heat are able to add another piece, but I don’t see that happening either.
Snowballs & Batteries 