LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are having an amicable breakup.
LeBron's decision to leave the Lakers is a "happiness-led decision" and "not driven by money," according to Shams Charania of ESPN. Maybe that's because the money is pretty much set — the teams looking at him basically will have the (non-taxpayer) mid-level exception of $15.1 million. Maybe the Lakers would have offered more, but not dramatically.
So what will make LeBron happy? My sense is that this is less about happiness and more about respect. LeBron knows how well he played for the Lakers last season, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds a game and lifting the team past Houston in the playoffs when Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were out. His reward was being told the franchise was focused on rebuilding around Doncic, and LeBron himself had to take a steep pay cut.
So where does LeBron land? Where does he get the respect he seeks? Here are the three choices on the table.
Golden State Warriors
This is the team that checks the most boxes:
Close to his family in Los Angeles? ✅
Will play meaningful games in a big spotlight? ✅.
Wants him? ✅. (The Warriors have been trying to lure him in for more than a year.)
About the money, after agreeing to a new two-year, $40 million contract with Kristaps Porzingis, the only way the Warriors can offer the full mid-level exception is to salary-dump Moses Moody in a trade, or get LeBron and Draymond Green to take even less on their new deals. The Warriors have work to do, but they can get there.
The Warriors' ultimate dream reportedly was to pair LeBron, Curry, Green and Anthony Davis — except Washington has no intention of trading Davis, according to Marc Spears of ESPN.
Instead, the core is Curry, LeBron, Green and Jimmy Butler, once he returns from a torn ACL (likely in the middle of the season). If healthy, that group is a tough out in a seven-game playoff series.
Either way, this is a team that might provide the happiness LeBron seeks.
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland has interest in bringing LeBron home, reports Chris Haynes.
LeBron finishing his career where it started makes for a fantastic narrative. Also, LeBron, as the veteran who shows up in big games, playing with Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley, is a legit threat to win the East.
However, it's going to take a little work to get Cleveland to be able to offer the mid-level exception. If Cleveland wants to do this, it could let Dean Wade walk in free agency (he may be leaving anyway), then salary-dump Max Strus, taking back no salary (it likely costs the Cavs a pick to do that). If Cleveland can do all that, it can offer LeBron the full $15.1 million mid-level exception.
(Some fans have suggested a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, the problem is that any sign-and-trade would hard cap the Cavaliers at the first apron, meaning they would need to trim about another $14 million in salary from the books. That would start to gut the team.)
This can happen. The question is: Does LeBron James want to go home again? Again.
Miami Heat
LeBron James with Giannis Antetokounmpo? The Greek Freak has never been subtle about how much he admires LeBron.
LeBron won a title in Miami but did not exactly part on the best of terms, and there are scars. It's fair to ask if everyone can and is willing to move beyond this.
The reason for Miami to get over it and make this move is simple: The Heat need more talent around Antetokounmpo, and LeBron is still an All-Star-level player, even at age 41. The pairing of LeBron and Antetokounmpo with Bam Adebayo and quality role players is interesting, one that can make some noise in the East.
Financially, the best Miami can offer is the remainder of its mid-level exception, about $10.5 million (it is using part of it to bring back Simone Fontecchio). Is that enough for LeBron?
San Antonio Spurs
It's a massive long shot and pure speculation — and LeBron would be accused of ring chasing — but hear me out.
San Antonio has its mid-level exception, and what they need is someone at the four who can play off Victor Wembanyama, someone who can play inside and out and serve as a secondary playmaker. Plus, LeBron in the locker room would be a great mentor for Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, Stephon Castle and the rest of them. LeBron does make the Spurs title favorites.
It's highly unlikely LeBron packs up and moves to Texas for a year — the sides are not talking, as far as we know — but it's a fun dream.
