Attention turns to James’ next move
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 $35.6 million contract option for next season with the Cavaliers and become an unrestricted free agent like he was in 2010 and ’14. Then the fun starts – well, officially and legally under NBA rules – and teams can begin courting King James to join them.
At the moment the list of suitors is limited, but it could grow as teams position themselves to acquire one of the game’s most transcendent forces.
There are obvious potential landing spots, but James, who averaged 34 points, 10 assists and 8.5 rebounds against the Warriors, made it clear that any team coveting him better be prepared to win – everything.
He’s still into hanging banners.
“I still want to be in championship mode,” the 33-year-old said following his eighth straight NBA Finals appearance. “I think I’ve shown this year why I will still continue to be in championship mode.”
Although James may have dropped to 3-6 in the finals, it hasn’t diminished his pursuit of winning a fourth title or slaying this Golden State goliath, a monster of a team he never imagined getting in his way when he made his Ohio homecoming after playing four years in Miami.
So, who has a legitimate shot at getting him?
The Philadelphia 76ers can entice James with young stars 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 current flexibility to sign another maximum contract player.
Don’t rule out the Houston Rockets, who pushed Golden State to a Game 7 in the postseason.
In the end, James may decide home is still the sweetest spot.