Which NBA team will LeBron James play for this coming season? That seems to be the biggest question being asked across the league as the month of July and its free agency period continue to unfold.
He informed the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, June 30, that he would not be re-signing with them in free agency. Now, just over a week into the NBA’s official free agency period, he is still to make a concrete decision, and the internet is awash with rumors about where he could be headed.
A big question is what James’ biggest motivation will be for his 24th season. Surely, he would like to win his fifth championship while still playing a huge role, but it is questionable how realistic that will be for him. Rich Paul, his longtime friend and agent, recently said the superstar named “complete happiness” as what he wants at this point.
With all that in mind, we ranked his five best potential destinations. We’re weighing a combination of championship aspirations, playing a large enough role and that “complete happiness” James may want, although one has to wonder what exactly would bring James “complete happiness” in a basketball context.
5. Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers don’t necessarily need James to win the 2027 NBA championship. They recently agreed to trade for five-time All-Star wing and 2024 finals MVP Jaylen Brown, and he will join a roster that already includes All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey and former MVP and two-time scoring champion Joel Embiid.
They could use a power forward, however, and James could provide them with another ball-handler and facilitator other than Maxey. One has to expect the perpetually injury-prone Embiid to miss at least a couple dozen games a season, and when he’s out, James can pick up the slack and perhaps even play some minutes at the 5 if absolutely needed.
However, James would likely be the Sixers’ fourth scoring option, and he certainly wouldn’t be the center of attention in the Delaware Valley region. Philly sports fans are also notoriously hard to please, and that could put a dent in James’ quest for happiness, especially when things aren’t going well for the Sixers.
4. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets were recently mentioned by Paul as a new option for James. They’re coming off a disappointing season during which they lost in the first round of the playoffs, and James would give them a huge shot in the arm.
He would beef up an offense that already led the NBA in points per game and offensive rating, and he could help All-Star guard Jamal Murray organize the offense. He could also potentially become Denver’s second offensive option, unless coach David Adelman decides to stick with Murray as his second option.
But would Denver be a big enough market for James to feel like he’s getting enough love and attention during what could be his last season?
3. Golden State Warriors
The Warriors may be more motivated than any other team to land James. In fact, they have seemed almost desperate over the last couple of years to pry open their championship window for at least another year.
The advantage that the Warriors have over other teams is that James is good friends with both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. One common narrative attached to James, especially by his critics, is that he prefers to play with his friends and stack the deck in his favor, and Curry would become the most accomplished player, if not the best player, he has ever teamed up with.
Golden State is rumored to be interested in trading for Anthony Davis, the superstar big man with whom James won his most recent championship on the Lakers. A squad with James, Davis, Curry and Green would certainly be seen as a superteam.
However, Golden State’s overall roster has lots of mileage on it, and it would, in all likelihood, have a very top-heavy roster if James came on board. It is hard to see such a roster getting past young, deep squads such as the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors and going to the NBA Finals.
Plus, it would seem a bit awkward for James to end his career with the team that he faced in the championship series four straight times from 2015 to 2018.
2. Miami Heat
If James’ biggest and perhaps only priority for this coming season is to win the world title, the Heat would have to be his best choice, and it may not even be close.
After going 43-39 and not making the playoffs this past season, Miami is landing future Hall of Famer Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. But they need another piece or two, and James could arguably be the ideal piece to make them legitimate contenders.
The Heat need a point guard, or at least a legitimate facilitator and floor general, and James could play that role for them. They need another big scoring threat, and he could give them that as well. They also could use some help in the frontcourt, and James would help there as well.
Of course, James played for the Heat from 2010 to 2014, and in each of those four seasons, they reached the NBA Finals while capturing back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. Team president Pat Riley, who is 81 years of age, would love to get another ring before the time comes for him to walk away from the job.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
Of course, going back to the Cavaliers, the team where he began his NBA career and later fulfilled his destiny, is the outcome that makes the most sense, given his overall situation.
He is from nearby Akron, Ohio, and he has always been loyal to his hometown. There have been multiple reports that suggest that he may ultimately head back to Cleveland to wrap up his NBA career.
That would allow him to soak up as much love, appreciation and attention as he possibly could. When the Lakers made their annual visit to Cleveland this past season, the Cavaliers showed a video tribute to him on the scoreboard at Rocket Arena, and he became visibly emotional.
Just imagine how emotional he will get if he holds a farewell tour once that tour ends with one final regular-season home game in Cleveland.
The question is whether the Cavaliers could win the NBA title this coming season by adding James. They just reached the Eastern Conference finals, where they were swept by the New York Knicks, after many picked them to win the East when the season started. However, there are plenty of people around the league who are skeptical that Cleveland could win it all with James, given its current roster weaknesses.
This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Ranking LeBron James’ five best destinations
Reporting by Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire / LeBron Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Robert Marvi, LeBron Wire | USA TODAY Network
