LeBron James is once again expected to hit the free agency market this summer, and several teams are already making their moves to make sure they get the opportunity of wooing the best basketball player on the planet.

While the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Houston Rockets are widely viewed the frontrunners for James. The San Antonio Spurs have slowly emerged as one of a few sleeper teams that could pull off a surprise this summer, according to Marc Stein of the New York Times.

The Spurs may not have the glitz and glamour of L.A or the promising young players in Philadelphia, but they do have a roster of veterans with championship pedigrees.

Of course, San Antonio has arguably the best bench tactician in the game today in Gregg Popovich, a coach who LeBron highly reveres.

Stein added that Popovich could force his way into the LeBron James’ sweepstakes, with the hope of flanking the four-time NBA MVP with a healthy Kawhi Leonard, All-NBA power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, blooming point guard DeJounte Murray, and several playoffs-tested veterans.

“I’ve also been advised that the ever-persuasive San Antonio Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich is bound to try to force his way into the conversation to sell James on the merits of South Texas,” Stein wrote in his article.

Why joining the Spurs is the best move for LeBron

In his recent appearance on ‘The Herd’ with Colin Cowherd, veteran NBA analyst Chris Broussard explained why the Spurs present the best fit for James at this point of his career.

“My place, I don’t think he’ll do it but this is where LeBron James should go basketball-wise. San Antonio,” Broussard stressed.

“I guarantee you, if LeBron goes to San Antonio and Kawhi Leonard is there, he will win at least one more ring.”

When asked by Cowherd what the supporting cast around LeBron and Kawhi would be, Broussard believes veterans like Danny Green, Patty Mills, and Kyle Anderson are enough to provide stability n the second unit of a championship-caliber squad.

Spurs facing tough competition for LeBron

Again, the Spurs are not the favorites to land the four-time NBA MVP. That title belongs to the Lakers and Sixers, who possess the cap space and trade assets to maneuver a big free agency coup.

The Rockets, on the other hand, present themselves as an intriguing destination given the fact that they were just one game away from dethroning the Golden State Warriors in the hardly-fought Western Conference finals series.

According to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, James is scheduled to have a meeting with the Lakers, 76ers, and the Rockets. He also added that Lebron could also meet representatives from the L.A Clippers, Boston Celtics, and Warriors.

To make things short, the competition for the biggest prize in basketball is going to be brutal. The Spurs, though, may have a puncher’s chance of winning the sweepstakes largely because of Popovich’s relationship with LeBron.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED