LeBron’s summer of suspense has started
Entire NBA landscape hinges on where game’s biggest star decides to play next season
CLEVELAND — Maybe it was poetic LeBron James had a supporting cast on his injured right hand.
He was missing one in the NBA finals.
For the second time in a career still ascending after 15 years, James was on the wrong side of a sweep as the Golden State Warriors, a team with no apparent weaknesses and as many as four of the league’s 10 best players on its roster, transformed into a dynasty in Cleveland late Friday.
After what may have been his final game with the Cavaliers, James revealed he hurt himself in a fit of frustration following a Game 1 overtime loss.
He displayed a soft cast on his hand during his postgame news conference and then rounded up his children and some of their friends, and along with his wife and the usual support group of handlers and security personnel, drove home to Akron.
His next stop is unknown. Another suspenseful summer of “Where will LeBron go next?” is off and running.
In the next few weeks, James is expected to decline his US$35.6 million contract option for next season with the Cavaliers and become an unrestricted free agent like he was in 2010 and 2014. Then the fun starts — well, officially and legally under NBA rules — and teams can begin courting King James to join them.
There are obvious potential landing spots, but James, who averaged 34 points, 10 assists and 8.5 rebounds against the Warriors, made it clear any team coveting him better be prepared to win — everything.
So, who has a legitimate shot at getting him?
The Philadelphia 76ers can entice James with young stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, salary-cap space to accommodate him and other pieces, and the luxury to stay in the Eastern Conference to avoid meeting up with the Warriors until the Larry O’Brien Trophy is up for grabs.
The Lakers’ sales pitch will include their flexibility to sign another maximum contract player — maybe Paul George or Kawhi Leonard — and Hollywood’s celebrity-filled hills. James already owns two homes and a film-production company in Los Angeles, where the star could become a supernova.
Don’t rule out the Houston Rockets, who pushed Golden State to a Game 7 in the post-season. In presumed MVP James Harden; Chris Paul, one of James’ closest friends; and determined general manager Daryl Morey, the Rockets have the building blocks to assemble an uberteam.
James may also decide home is still the sweetest spot.