LeBron James has the potential to turn the NBA upside down this summer when he becomes a free agent.
Not since 2014 has there been any buzz that James would seriously consider leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers, despite frequently opting out to sign new contracts.
But this year is different. At the end of last season, rumors began circulating that James would seriously consider leaving the Cavs for a different team. Since then, the buzz has only grown, though James has given zero indication of what he may want to do.
While James can realistically force a trade to any team in the league, we tried our best to rank the teams that might best fit his needs and desires: a big market, existing talent, cap space, and a winning culture or the potential to become a winning team. On top of that are all the rumors about his interests.
Take a look at which teams might be best suited to land King James this summer.
1. Houston Rockets
Pros: The Rockets have two stars in James Harden and Chris Paul, the type of talent James has been missing in recent years in Cleveland. Paul has already been reaching out to James, according to The New York Times' Marc Stein.
James is reportedly interested in transitioning into an off-ball role as he gets older. Harden and Paul (they would have to re-sign Paul this summer) would allow him to do that. And similarly, James' ball-handling would make life easier for them.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey has always been aggressive in targeting star players, and it's not hard to imagine him wanting to land the biggest fish of all. With the Rockets already coming within one half of knocking off the Warriors this year, they may believe James could put them over the top.
Cons: The Rockets' roster is in transition. Rising star center Clint Capela is a free agent, as are Trevor Ariza and Paul. They can't reasonably bring in James while returning last year's team, meaning if they land James, it would likely be James, Paul, Harden, and a handful of veteran role players.
Paul and Harden successfully split ball-handling duties last season — would adding a third ball-dominant player to the mix help all that much?
Again, the Rockets were this close to knocking off the Warriors. Maybe it's in their best interest not to break up this team.
2. Philadelphia 76ers
Pros: If James wants to latch onto a team that can carry him into his twilight, Philadelphia might be the place.
Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid look like the next great duo in the NBA, two massive athletes with unique skills and talent so early in their careers. And they still have unknowns in last year's No. 1 pick Markelle Fultz and draft picks still to come.
James could join the 76ers via free agency this year (they have the cap space) and become the instant talent and veteran presence needed to catapult this team into championship contention. As he gets older, he could hand the reins over to Simmons and Embiid.
Simmons also shares an agent with James in Rich Paul, James' childhood friend.
Cons: The cons come more on the Sixers' end. Why mess with a young core that looks ready to grow into a dominant force on its own? Why take the ball out of Simmons' hand and put it in the hands of the older, more complete version of what he may become? Adding James only accelerates the team's timeline, and his skills take away from what makes Simmons and Embiid great.
While Embiid and Simmons are two dominant young talents, James may not view them as the horses he needs to win another championship right away. After all, James trusts veterans more than anything.
Likewise, James is at his best with shooters around him. If there's any flaw in the Sixers' two young stars, it's that floor space is minimal because neither is a reliable shooter.
3. Los Angeles Lakers
Pros: The Lakers have an intriguing young core in Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, and the free agent big man Julius Randle. Like Philadelphia, they represent the young talent that could eventually take the burden off of James. They also have the cap space to attract surrounding talent.
Los Angeles offers what James desires off the court — a big market, exposure, and access to off-court opportunities. James is interested in Hollywood and owns a production company. He has two houses in LA. And Los Angeles winters are a little nicer than Cleveland winters.
Some in the NBA world have theorized that James might ultimately look for the best lifestyle situation for him and his family, rather than only pursuing winning opportunities. The Lakers have that, plus the chance to grow.
Cons: There's no indication that James is ready to stop competing for titles. With the Lakers, even if James can attract another star like Paul George, there would be a learning curve for that team.
James is as good as he's ever been at 33 years old, but his window will eventually close. Would he want to lose perhaps two of his best years as his team grows talented enough to take on the Warriors and Rockets?
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