Superstar LeBron James can leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and become an unrestricted free agent if he declines the player option worth $33 million for the 2018-19 season. James has two years remaining in the three-year, $99.8 million deal that he signed with the Cavaliers in 2016 after leading them to their first NBA title. James is reported to be interested in moving to the Western Conference and joining a young Los Angeles Lakers squad composed of Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram.
Paul George, who was recently acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder, is also considering joining the Lakers in 2018. If the two decide to join forces in Los Angeles, the Lakers will be a force to reckon with in 2018.
However, the route to the Finals will be much easier for James if he remains in the Eastern Conference, considering the balance of power in the NBA tilts to the Western Conference. He could stay with the Cavaliers but his relationship with owner Dan Gilbert soured after the team did not sign general manager David Griffin to a contract extension.
76ers have enough salary cap room for James
According to Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead, there is a possibility that James could trust the process and join the Philadelphia 76ers, a team full of promise with several young stars in their lineup, including No. 1 overall picks Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons, budding center Joel Embiid, and power forward Dario Saric.
McIntyre said the 76ers will have enormous cap room to accommodate James’ salary. They also have several tradable pieces, like Jerryd Bayless, Jahlil Okafor and even Saric, to create more room if James decides to bring a friend along, like what he did when he encouraged Chris Bosh to join him with the Miami Heat.
However, the 76ers must prove that they can contend this season by winning 45 to 50 games and making it to the playoffs for James to consider joining the team.
To do this, Simmons and Embiid must remain healthy while Fultz should live up to his billing as the No. 1 overall pick.
Knicks not a possible destination for James
The Knicks are working on a deal with Griffin to become their next general manager, a post currently occupied by Steve Mills. According to Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, Mills will be promoted to president of basketball operations if Griffin accepts the GM post.
However, McIntyre said there is no way that James can join Griffin with the Knicks, especially with the salary cap mess that former team president Phil Jackson left behind. The Knicks are scheduled to pay a total of $38 million and $39.4 million to Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee and Lance Thomas in 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, respectively.