LeBron’s Options
According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, LeBron James has narrowed his options down to Cleveland, Houston, Philadelphia, and the LA Lakers. James has the next few months to decide where he wants to go. However, in order to help the King out, I’ve taken it upon myself to lay out James’ options for him in a clear and organized matter. I will grade each destination in terms of fit, locational attraction to LeBron, potential assets, and ability to actually sign him.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Team Fit: B-
While Koby Altman and the Cavs front office built this version of the Cavs for LeBron, they still are not a perfect fit. Players like Larry Nance, George Hill, and Rodney Hood are all good pieces around LeBron as they are hardworking, switchy defensive players who either shot 3s or destroy rims. Kevin Love compliments LeBron very nicely on offense, but struggles to play defense. Jordan Clarkson is a creative offensive player and can, to some extent, run the offense when the King is out. He’s also an okay defender and three point shooter. The rest of the team is a bit of a mess. J.R. Smith is okay offensively, though his three point shot is on the decline and he remains a below-average defender at best. Kyle Korver’s shooting will keep him relevant for any team, but he can’t really do much else. Tristan Thompson’s value is next to nothing at this point and Jeff Green is a free agent at the end of the year. Ty Lue is a pretty good coach, but he needs the players to be there in order to win.
Locational Fit: A+
In a perfect world, LeBron remains in Ohio. He loves Cleveland, and they love him. His family lives in Cleveland, his kids go to school there, he essentially owns Cleveland. There are very few problems between LeBron and Cleveland from a locational standpoint.
Potential Assets: B-
Pretty much all they have is the Nets pick this year. They could get a young talent in the draft that LeBron nurture as LeBron grows old. However it is hard to say how talented they could be as currently, they have the 6th best lottery odds, which puts them in line to get anyone from Luka Doncic to Mikal Bridges. This is all heavily affected by the draft lottery and how the Nets finish.
The Cavs could also elect to package this pick with some other combination of assets to acquire the established second scorer(no offense Kevin Love) LeBron has been longing for all season. However, there are not many players that fit this mold on the market and there are even fewer teams that are willing to give it up for just one high pick.
Ability to Actually Sign Him: P
This category is pass/fail. A team either can or cannot sign him. The Cavs definitely can. They have bird rights on him, and they can give him the most money.
Final Grade: A-
While it makes the most sense for LeBron to stay with the Cavs from both a financial and locational standpoint, if LeBron wants to win another championship, he’ll probably have to leave Cleveland.
Philadelphia 76ers
Team Fit: C+
Joel Embiid and Robert Covington are both great fits in a Lebron-centric lineup. The main question here is how LeBron and Ben Simmons would fit next to each other. The Simmons/Bron bromance has been going on for a while, but it has been more of a Kobe/Jordan-type connection than anything else. It does not seem that they could work together on a team. Ben Simmons never plays off-ball, and LeBron works best when he’s the guy with the ball in his hands. Unless Ben Simmons learns how to shoot, it’s very hard to envision this tandem working.
Locational Fit: B
I don’t really see any problem with LeBron in Philly. Hate discounted against philly sports fans, it is a great sports city, and while it isn’t the best fit for LBJ in the world, it isn’t the worst.
Potential Assets: A-
The Sixers are loaded with assets.
Draft picks: they have either the Lakers pick (if it isn’t 2–5) or the Kings pick. They have all of their own picks.
They also have tons of young talent, and LeBron could pretty much pick his players on the trade market. The big piece in this is Markelle Fultz. If he is as good as he is rumored to be, and if he can actually shoot, the Sixers have another high level player and potential star.
Ability to Actually Sign Him: P
They actually have a lot of money tied up in the future, but for now, Philly has enough cap flexibility to sign LeBron. Next year, they have nearly 30 million in cap, and that doesn’t even include potential buyouts or trades to cut cap.
Final Grade: B
While they are a relatively deep team with many assets, the jury is still out on whether LeBron and Ben Simmons can coexist. I would say as far as ridiculous rumors go, this one makes sense, but I don’t know how realistic the odds are.
Houston Rockets
Team Fit: A+++
If LeBron actually wants to win a championship, his best chance would be with the Rockets. Sure, it may take some time for CP3(assuming he re-signs), James Harden, and LeBron James to learn how to share the ball, but if it works, this is a Warriors-level super team.
Locational Fit: C
I have nothing to say with this in relation to LeBron. He doesn’t have any real connection at all.
Potential Assets: C-
They used almost all of their assets to get Chris Paul this year, but to be fair to the Rockets, they don’t really need any more assets — they already have a team built to win. Along with this, they have Zhou Qi and Chinanu Onuaku, young guys who could get the Rockets a decent, if unspectacular rotation player.
Actual Ability to Sign Him: F
Chris Paul wants the dough, and he can get it. Paul can sign a contract worth up to $35 million. Even if the Rockets try the opt into player option trade move that CP3 did last offseason, it’s impossible to have James Harden’s $30 million, LeBron’s $35 million, and CP3’s $35 million, and still stay under the cap. For those of you counting at home: that’s $100 million, already above the cap. And here’s the thing — they still have other players. Unless both CP3 and LeBron take way less than the max, there is no way that this dream team could be created.
Final Grade: C+
There are many many negatives to signing with the Rockets for LBJ. He won’t be able to take the max, and he won’t be given his guaranteed finals appearance in the West. Also, as tends to happen in the NBA, it will take time for the relationship between the potential big three to develop, maybe too long. Even though a matchup between this potential team and the Warriors would be an edge-of-your-seat series, it is very hard to see this actually happening.
Los Angeles Lakers
Team Fit: B-
The Lakers have a very young team, and even with another max contract player, they still lack the high level production LeBron needs to create a winning environment.
Locational Fit: A
He has a house there, and he enjoys the celebrity life. James likes acting and wants to improve his personal brand. Deep down, I think LeBron wants to spend some part of his career in LA. However, the question is as to whether will he let himself play for a team that’s so far away from contending.
Potential Assets: B
While they don’t have their own pick this year, Los Angeles still has tons of young players and the ability to sign another max player to play alongside LeBron. They could also use their plethora of young 20-somethings to get a couple three-and-D players.
Actual Ability to Sign Him: P
Even without the IT trade, the Lakers had a lot of cap space. Now, they can sign two max-contract guys (LeBron being one of the two). He would be taking a little bit of a pay cut compared to what he would be making on the Cavs.
Final Grade: B
There is a chance. If anyone can turn him, it’s Magic, and if anywhere can turn him, it’s LA. They have plenty of good players, and LeBron seems to have a Ben Simmons-esque relationship with Lonzo. However, I don’t know if the King wants to risk that much of his career on a bunch of unknowns.
