Teams That Could Land LeBron James in the Summer of 2018
Which teams have the best chance of landing James if/when he leaves Cleveland?
After breezing through the Eastern Conference playoffs, LeBron James and the Cavaliers are fell in the NBA Finals 4–1 against the Golden State Warriors. Following the Cavs’ loss in Game 3 at home, a rumor circled that James would consider moving his talents to Los Angeles to join the Clippers or Lakers next summer.
James has a player option after next season on his contract and can become an unrestricted free agent. Given his team’s inability to beat the Warriors and it’s suffocating financial situation, it is very likely that James leaves Cleveland yet again to chase rings.
As we saw in the previous two occasions where James left his team, the franchise that acquires him needs two simple things: Star power and cap space. It is rare to find teams with both of these luxuries, but there are a few that could carve out enough space to land the best player on the planet after next season.
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are the only LA team that can attract James. The Lakers will have the cap space, but the proven star talent isn’t there yet. They’d need to add at least two stars in the next year to even have a chance.
Enter the Clippers. Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are free agents this summer, but let’s assume they re-sign the two back and trade DeAndre Jordan to please Paul’s apparent frustrations with him. This leaves the Clippers with two proven All-Stars and a ton of cap space to bring in James.
Also, Carmelo Anthony’s current contract will be up at that point. LA will have enough room to give James the max, and Anthony a team-friendly deal for him to be able to contend with his banana boat friends.
While the Clippers are in the Western Conference with Golden State, this might be James’ best chance at contending for championships. A core of Paul, Griffin, Anthony, and James could make for some classic Western Conference Finals battles for years to come.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves would be a smart move for James if he feels he can’t completely carry a team any longer. He’d certainly be the best player on the Wolves if he joins next summer, but Karl Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins will be able to support him more on both ends than Irving and Love can.
Minnesota has the cap space to bring in James because most of their best players are still on rookie contracts. This will allow James to come in and bring in veterans to help his young stars along. Along with Towns and Wiggins, Zach Lavine and Kris Dunn will all be coming into their own as players. Anthony can certainly be an option here, as he can accept a team-friendly deal similar to the Clippers situation.
For James, Minnesota could be a team that has young stars around him, with plenty of cap space to keep those young stars, and add plenty of veteran weapons around them. If James hopes to have a longer career, this is the way to go. If he wants a quick title run with close friends, the Clippers would be the choice.
San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs could offer James a two-way superstar in Kawhi Leonard to take the load off of James, and a brilliant coach that excels at maximizing talent. As of next summer, it’s possible that San Antonio only has Leonard and Dejounte Murray’s contracts on the books along with other draft picks they acquire between that time and free agent signings.
The Spurs would be able to legitimately take out the Warriors in the Western Conference with the best two-way players in the world, and the cap space to add more shooting around them. Imagine Leonard with less attention on offense, and less of a responsibility on defense.
All three options listed here are in the Western Conference. While that may seem wrong since James would have to face Golden State a round or two too early, these are the best places for him to compete for championships. The Clippers, Timberwolves, and Spurs will all have plenty of cap space and star power to lure James away from the powder keg that is the Cavaliers financial situation that he himself created. It may not be the most honorable move of his career, but if James wants to win another title, this is what he’ll have to do.
