Throughout much of NBA history, we expected to see the league’s best players don one uniform. Star players typically stuck with one team for their entire career. In today’s NBA, stars trade teams more than ever before.
Arguably, LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers started that trend. When James left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat, he ushered in an era of player empowerment. Since then, James returned to the Cavs, only to leave them for the Los Angeles Lakers.
So, it wouldn’t be a shock if James left the Lakers. There’s widespread speculation that he could depart this summer. With his son entering the league, plenty of teams could have a chance to bring in one of the best players in NBA history. Here are three teams that should be looking at him.
Golden State Warriors
It’s been rumored that the Warriors were looking at James at the trade deadline. In the end, the Lakers didn’t seem to make him available. Could Golden State take another look at him this summer?
Why wouldn’t they? James and Stephen Curry ought to make basketball magic together. With James’ (somehow still) elite playmaking and rim pressure, how will teams account for Curry’s historic off-ball gravity? How will teams guard this duo?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors Updates
It feels like a perfect fit for us. With that said the Warriors may prefer to start prioritizing the future. Bringing in James could decrease Jonathan Kuminga’s role. Is there a more ready-made contender for James to join?
Philadelphia 76ers
It was also rumored that the Philadelphia 76ers inquired about James. That makes sense. With Daryl Morey as a general manager, the Sixers may have inquired about Nikola Jokic and Giannis Antetokoumnpo.
Still, James would be a more realistic target. He’d also be a good fit with the Sixers. With Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey leading the charge, the aging James could settle into a lower usage role. The Sixers would surely be one of the best teams in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers Updates
The Sixers would surely be interested in James. With that said, someone could beat them to the chase. A team with two picks in the upcoming draft would have a higher chance of drafting his son.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have a lot of advantages in terms of potentially landing James. They’ve got two picks to target Bronny James with. They also play in the league’s biggest market.
They’re also – more importantly – pretty good. The Knicks have been doing a lot of wheeling and dealing lately. If they added James, they’d be serious title contenders in 2024-25.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks Updates
Sure, this team is front-court heavy. That’s fine. O.G. Anunoby can play the 2, and James can play the 3. For the Knicks, this is about bringing in one of the best players of all time – no matter how many teams he’s played for..
