If early rumors and speculation are any indications, the frenzy surrounding LeBron James’ potential free agency this summer is going to be unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.
James has the option to opt out his $35.6 million contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers when the 2017-18 NBA season ends. LeBron is expected to opt out and become an unrestricted free agent regardless of his intentions to stay or leave Cleveland, because opting out allows James to re-sign with the Cavaliers on a longer-term deal with a higher annual value if he wants to stay.
Once that opt out becomes official, though, all bets are off. All 30 NBA teams are going to send James their best recruitment pitch, and while most teams won’t even garner a response from James, several organizations can present LeBron with a legitimate pitch, and while it likely won’t be televised, we’re on a collision course to The Decision Pt. 3.
The Los Angeles Lakers have been a popular pick among NBA speculators. James hasn’t helped matters, as he recently purchased a new multi-million dollar home in the area. The James-to-Lakers rumors make sense from a business standpoint, but from a basketball standpoint, the Lakers need to convince more than LeBron James to make that dream a reality. LeBron wants to win, and he can’t compete with the Golden State Warriors in L.A. without serious help, which is why you’re seeing a lot of people connecting the dots between Paul George and LeBron James joining forces on the Lakers this summer. It would take something substantial like that for the basketball part of this to make sense.
The Houston Rockets, on the other hand, don’t need that kind of on-court sweetener. The Rockets have James Harden. They have Chris Paul. Most importantly, though, they have the best record in the Western Conference right now without LeBron James. If James signs in Houston, you’re not just looking at an NBA Finals contender, you’re looking at a potential NBA Finals favorite. According to USA Today’s Sam Amick, this LeBron-to-Houston scenario has some substantial legs.
While James has made it clear that he won’t deliberate his uncertain future until the Cavs’ season is complete, there is strong belief in Rockets circles that they’ll have a legitimate shot at landing the four-time MVP this summer. Rival executives also believe the Rockets will have a real chance. And once you really look at it, when you get past all the noise about the Lakers and even the compelling case for the up-and-coming Philadelphia 76ers, it makes all sorts of sense.
From a basketball standpoint, LeBron James to the Houston Rockets makes all the sense in the world. James once said his only basketball goal right now is chasing Jordan. If James is serious about catching Jordan’s six NBA Championships, he’s going to need to find a contender, and he needs to do it as soon as possible. He can’t afford to wait for the young Lakers, or the 76ers to develop. The Rockets are ready to win now. That’s as compelling of an argument as you’re going to find anywhere.
The problem, of course, is the Rockets coming up with the money to sign James and re-sign Chris Paul next summer. They would have to unload Ryan Anderson’s $20 million salary to open up enough space, plus some more cap acrobatics to bring everyone on board, but it’s not impossible for them to do. Daryl Morey will have his hands full in making those deals happen, but if he can and Houston finishes this season as they’ve started it, they will certainly be an intriguing destination for the King.
