Superstar LeBron James might leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time and could team up with point guard Chris Paul with the Los Angeles Lakers. James will become a free agent in the summer and there's a strong possibility that he might leave the Cavaliers following their loss to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals via sweep.
According to veteran NBA reporter Mark Stein of the New York Times, the Houston Rockets are the favorites to land James if Paul remains with the team. Stein also floated the possibility that Paul and James could join forces and spearhead the Lakers' resurgence. Stein explained that the Rockets could lure in James with Paul's help despite their lack of salary-cap room to accommodate the Cavaliers superstar.
However, Stein says there will be no stopping James if he tries to bring Paul to a team that has the salary cap room to accommodate two superstars, like the Lakers. Stein said James and Paul are close friends and both want to play together at some point in their careers. James has a $35.6 million option to stay in Cleveland next season, while Paul will turn unrestricted free agent.
Lakers Have Enough Cap Room
The Lakers, for their part, have created enough salary cap room to bring in two superstars. It was also reported that James and Paul George could play together in Los Angeles next season. Last season, George played alongside superstars Carmelo Anthony and Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder, but they lost in the first round of the playoffs.
Currently, the Lakers are committed to paying just $39 million in salary next season. With the salary cap for next season at $101 million and the luxury tax set at $123 million, the Lakers could add two max contracts to their roster.
The Lakers' huge salary cap room could also entice James, who wants to pursue another championship ring with a club that's in a good position to upgrade its lineup compared to the Cavaliers. The Lakers also have promising players like Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and Brandon Ingram.
76ers Also In The Running for James
Aside from the Lakers, the Philadelphia 76ers could be another possible destination for James. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports that the 76ers want to pursue James and George in the offseason.
Bringing in James and George to team up with upcoming stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid could turn the 76ers into championship contenders. Last season, the 76ers took many by surprise when they made the playoffs after a dismal 28-54 record in the previous season.
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