Practically no one is giving the Los Angeles Lakers a chance to advance past the first round of this year’s NBA Playoffs. Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, the odds are fully stacked against JJ Redick‘s team. But LeBron James is still there.
LeBron got huge contributions from his teammates in the Lakers’ series opening win over the Houston Rockets, with Luke Kennard playing the biggest role. James didn’t dominate like we’ve grown accustomed to, but he filled the stat sheet and was the guiding hand for the team. The win has sparked renewed discussion about James’ future with the Lakers.
Everything has pointed to this being LeBron’s final season in Los Angeles. The team has treated Doncic as the franchise’s most important player, and his chemistry with Reaves blossomed while James was sidelined earlier this season. James does seem happy with the Lakers, though. But is he happy enough?
Warriors and Cavaliers are treating LeBron James like an impending free agent
The two strongest and most likely suitors for James this summer, the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, are reportedly treating his situation as if he will be a free agent once this season is over. According to The Athletic’s Dan Woike and Sam Amick, both teams are fully invested in pursuing James – who they believe will be available.
One last run in Cleveland, or a superstar Steph Curry-James duo in Golden State, are plausible possibilities. Per team sources, the Warriors’ interest in James this summer remains serious. The Cavs, and the prospect of a goodbye tour where James’ journey began, are also still widely seen by rival executives as a legitimate possibility.
All three of the apparently strongest options for James next season are very logical. He’s built a home in LA, so staying with the Lakers probably makes the most sense. Cleveland was his home for a very long time, so another return there is very plausible. And playing with Stephen Curry for the first time in their NBA careers is something they and everyone else wants to see.
The Lakers have the advantage of being the most comfortable option for James. The question will be whether the team actually wants to bring him back, and whether James does as well.
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