LeBron is still the face of the NBA, whether you like him or not. He has the popularity and skill, even at his age, to draw in viewers and make members of his fanbase hop on the bandwagon of any team he joins. That possibility is no more prevalent than it is now, with James looking to depart Los Angeles in the off-season and take his talents to a potential fourth home.
LeBron's agent, Rich Paul, outlined some defining factors that we'll be going into the decision;
- Team needs to pay more than the minimum to obtain LeBron
- Team needs to have an already established identity and not need to break apart to afford LeBron
- Team needs to be a contender for a championship
Without these factors, it's hard to see LeBron go to a franchise that doesn't line up with his career trajectory of still wanting to play meaningful basketball, even if it's only for one or two years.
Here are some of the destinations I can see LeBron ending up in by the end of the offseason.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers could be a very possible destination for LeBron after the addition of Boston Finals MVP Jaylen Brown in the off-season, which has propped them up for serious contention in the East. It is reported by ESPN's Dave McMenamin that the big three of Brown, Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid are leading the recruiting charge, with Maxey holding a particular connection to LeBron through having the same agent.
Fit-wise, Embiid is the ideal centre LeBron could want to play alongside; a big man who can protect the paint and stretch the floor a bit in a similar way to former teammate Anthony Davis. This is the unique aspect on the basketball court that the Sixers have, as opposed to the other teams listed, that could be a big push for LeBron's decision if he's that set on going a purely basketball route.
Though you can't rely on Embiid's health, and with Maxey and Brown both being ball-dominant, it could be an awkward situation for LeBron to try to squeeze it in after the team attempts to adjust to the drastic offensive change of adding a player like Brown.







