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LeBron James single-handedly shifted the tenor of NBA free agency.
On Tuesday, representatives for the 41-year-old told the Lakers he will be departing the organization after eight seasons and forgo retirement for at least one more year.
James’ announcement came a day after the Lakers guaranteed the final year of his son Bronny’s rookie contract and amid reports that the Warriors are trying to form an aging superteam around James, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Anthony Davis.
According to ESPN, the 6-foot-9 forward is prioritizing happiness over money and is willing to sign for less than a max contract in exchange for the right basketball fit. Meanwhile, the Wizards are reportedly not trading Davis, which could throw a wrench into the Warriors’ grand plans.
With another LeBron James free agency underway, here are the teams that make the most sense for the 4-time MVP and what they can offer him on the court and in his pocket.
Cavaliers
What they can offer: Likely the veteran minimum, perhaps the full taxpayers exception of roughly $6 million. Cleveland could, however, increase its offer by trading Max Strus and/or Dennis Schroder.
The case: What would be a better ending to James’ 24-year career than finishing where he started? The Akron, Ohio, native would join a team fresh off its first conference finals appearance since he left for the second time in 2018 and wouldn’t have to be the team’s offensive focal point. The Cavaliers already have Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Jarrett Allen, and Evan Mobley, giving James a lot of help. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who has covered James since he was in high school,
floated Jaylen Brown as a trade candidate to the team, which would likely cost them Mobley in the return, but would show James they’re serious about building a winner for him one last time.
Harden has yet to agree to a new contract with Cleveland, but could take a discount or backload his contract to give the team more money to sign James.
Another point to consider: the Eastern Conference is less loaded than the West. If James truly wants to add one more ring to his resume, he might be better off going across the country.
Warriors
What they can offer: Up to the full mid-level exception of $15 million.
The case: If James is going to stay in the West, playing alongside Curry isn’t a bad idea. It’s also a weird one. Both players have won four championships, with Curry winning three of his against James, who got him back once in 2016. The Warriors also have more financial flexibility than other teams because Draymond Green declined his $27 million player option so the organization could pursue James. Both James and Curry have shown they are still high-level players despite being in the twilight of their careers, but they have also been injury-prone, which is what would make this a risky experiment.
Heat
What they can offer: Likely the veteran minimum
The case: A different kind of homecoming, James would be taking his talents back to South Beach to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo for a new-look Big 3.
James previously played for Erik Spoelstra and knows what he’s signing up for in Miami more than any other organization considering its longstanding infrastructure. He would increase the Heat’s contention status in the Eastern Conference and reunite with Pat Riley, who has been searching to replace James’ starpower ever since he left.
Timberwolves
What they can offer: Likely the veteran minimum
The case: Timberwolves president Tim Connelly is constantly star-chasing, which is why the organization can’t be ruled out. The backcourt of LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards gives James a young duo to pair with and the team’s lack of frontcourt depth allows him to start at power forward alongside Rudy Gobert. The Timberwolves will be in the luxury tax next season as new owners Alex Rodriguez and Marc Lore continue to make their imprint on the organization and Connelly would have to make more moves to increase the offer for James.
The Timberwolves can score and defend and James’ playmaking can bring another dimension to the offense. He also has a relationship with Edwards through the 2024 Olympic team and his Northeast Ohio roots have prepared him for a Minnesota winter.
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