Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James hasn’t given his commitment to remain with the team after the 2017-18 season, according to a report by Jackie MacMullan of ESPN. According to MacMullan, James was asked by Cavaliers team owner Dan Gilbert about his long-term plans while the team was dealing with trade talks involving Kyrie Irving, who was eventually traded to the Boston Celtics. However, James did not give a commitment that he will stay with the Cavaliers beyond this season. In a previous interview, James expressed his intention to finish his career in Cleveland but later said he needs to assess things after this season.

The 33-year-old James has two years remaining in the three-year, $99.8 million contract that he signed in 2016, but he could leave and become a free agent after this season if he declines the player option worth $33 million. According to multiple reports, several teams are interested in pursuing James if he hits the free-agent market. Among them are the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, San Antonio Spurs, and the Houston Rockets.

Lakers a possible destination for James

If James leaves the Cavaliers for the second time, the Lakers could be the next stop in his Hall of Fame career. Earlier, podcaster/columnist Bill Simmons floated the possibility that James might bolt the Cavaliers and join the Lakers next season, forming a contender with Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram.

There is also a possibility that Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder might join them. The Lakers are trying to create enough salary cap room to accommodate at least two superstars, possibly James and George, in the offseason.

76ers, Rockets contenders for James’ services

Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead reported that James could be enticed to join the 76ers and play alongside their budding stars, including No.

1 overall picks Markelle Fultz and Ben Simmons, center Joel Embiid, and power forward Dario Saric. In addition, McIntyre said the 76ers have enough salary cap room to meet James’ salary demand. In case James wants to bring another superstar in, the 76ers have several tradable pieces and expiring contracts to create salary cap room for another big-name player.

The Rockets, for their part, are expected to go all-out in pursuing James in the offseason. If they acquire James, the Rockets will have one of the most explosive trios in the NBA, including James Harden and Chris Paul. The Rockets could use Paul as an edge because James wants to play with him at some point in their respective careers.
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