The official first week of the NBA offseason delivered blockbuster trades involving Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jaylen Brown, LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant, and Kawhi Leonard joining new teams. Yet, the biggest question looms: where will LeBron James play next season?
The Cleveland Cavs are the betting favorite to land James at -135 odds, according to DraftKings.
Eight Years with the Lakers
James informed the Los Angeles Lakers he does not plan to return next season. During his eight-season stint with the Lakers, LeBron delivered a championship in 2020.
Even at 41, LeBron put up impressive numbers with 20.9 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game last season. He appeared in 60 games, but his scoring average was his lowest since his rookie campaign in 2003-04 with the Cavs.
Over his 23-year career, James averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game. He insists he still has gas in the tank and has not indicated that this upcoming season will be his last one before retirement.
While a reunion in L.A. is unlikely, oddsmakers listed a return to the Lakers at +2500.
Cleveland Cavs 3.0
The Cavs drafted James out of high school in Akron, Ohio, in 2003. He spent his first seven seasons in Cleveland before joining the Miami Heat in 2010. He returned to the Cavs in 2014 for four seasons, delivering the city their first NBA championship in 2016.
During two separate stints, James spent 11 seasons with the Cavs. He averaged 27.2 ppg and recorded 64 triple-doubles. A third stint would be a fitting way to end his career with a final season in Cleveland, bringing him back to where it all began.
The Cavs were swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals after they blew a 22-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 1. A battle-tested veteran like James is the type of leadership the team needs if they expect to compete for a championship.
The Cavs are the outright favorite to sign James at -135, according to DraftKings.
With James eying a return to Cleveland, the Cavs are now +2500 odds to win the NBA championship, according to BetMGM.
Miami Heat, Part 2
James spent four seasons with the Heat, leading them to four-straight appearances in the NBA Finals with back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. A return would reunite James with head coach Erik Spoelstra.
The Heat pulled the trigger on a blockbuster trade to bring Antetokounmpo to Miami. A Big 3 with the Greek Freak, Bam Adebayo, and LeBron would create one of the most formidable frontlines in the league.
The Heat are the second betting favorite to land James at +330.
With the addition of Antetokounmpo and James rumors, the Heat are +2500 odds to win the NBA championship, according to BetMGM.
Golden State Warriors: The Curry and James Show
When the season ended, word got out that James was interested in joining the Golden State Warriors so he can play with Steph Curry before either of them retires.
James’ agent hinted at a reunion with Anthony Davis in San Francisco. The two won a title during the pandemic as teammates with the Lakers. Davis is currently on the Washington Wizards, but the Warriors have little interest in pursuing Davis.
Although the Warriors haven’t ruled out James on their roster, their odds have drifted to +650. They were as low as +250 to sign James at the start of the postseason.
Meanwhile, the speculation about James moving to the Bay Area has affected the futures market. Warriors are currently at +3000 odds to win the NBA championship, according to BetMGM.
Philadelphia 76ers: JE, JB, and LBJ
The Philadelphia 76ers were thrilled when they acquired Jaylen Brown in a lopsided trade with the Boston Celtics last week. Adding a veteran power forward like James would be a sweet addition to a team that has Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Brown.
The 76ers are +2000 odds to win the 2027 championship after the Brown trade. They’re the fourth favorite on the board to land James at +1500 odds.
Minnesota Timberwolves: Unc, Ant Man, and Melo
The Timberwolves traded Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets, so they’re looking for a power forward. They also added LaMelo Ball in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. Ball joins Anthony Edwards, which makes them one of the most dangerous backcourts in the Western Conference.
James is the type of savvy veteran who could help the Timberwolves compete against premier teams in the West like the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs. It’s probably one of the best fits on the list of potential teams, but it’s unlikely the front office will make the move.
The Timberwolves are +1500 to add James, according to DraftKings.
Denver Nuggets: Joker and LeBron
Over the last few days, the Denver Nuggets have emerged as a dark-horse destination for James. The Nuggets need a consistent third scoring option aside from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Jokic’s decision to delay a contract extension freaked out the front office. They’re now scrambling to make a bold move that will persuade Jokic that the Nuggets are his best option to win another championship.
The Nuggets are +2500 odds to win the championship and +1500 odds to sign James.
Medium Shots: Spurs, Knicks, Wizards, Mavs
Before the Knicks won the championship, James said he was interested in joining them. Now that the Knicks are the defending champs, James is hesitant to join them because he doesn’t want to shoulder the blame if/when they fail to repeat. The Knicks are +850 odds to run it back, according to BetMGM. They’re +2500 to sign James.
The runner-up Spurs are also +2500 to add James. The young Spurs could use a veteran leader like James, especially after they blew multiple double-digit leads against the Knicks in the NBA Finals.
If James hopes to reunite with Anthony Davis, signing with the Washington Wizards seems like his most viable path. They’re +3000 to sign James next season.
The Dallas Mavs could be a fun destination, especially a reunion with former teammate Kyrie Irving. James would also be a great mentor to reigning Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg. However, the Mavs are only +4000 to sign James.
Moon Shot: Pistons, Clippers
The Pistons desperately need a veteran scorer to alleviate the offensive burden on Cade Cunningham, but they’re a long shot to add James at +6000.
If James wants to stay in Los Angeles with his family, then the Clippers make the most sense after trading Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. James could easily fill in the scoring slack after Leonard’s departure, but the Clippers are a long shot to sign James at +7000.
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