A spellbinding summer for NBA

LeBron’s decision isn’t the only interesting offseason storyline.

MIAMI — The Warriors have been crowned NBA champions, and just like that the most exciting offseason in sports has begun.

There are plenty of intriguing storylines entering the summer like LeBron James’ future, the Kawhi Leonard-Spurs situation and Paul George’s impending free agency. Here’s a rundown of the six biggest questions of the 2018 NBA offseason, including our predictions for how each will play out.

Where will LeBron James play next season?

This is undoubtedly the biggest question of the offseason. James will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 if he opts out of a $35.6 million player option in his current contract with the Cavaliers for next season.

The assumption is he’ll do just that and enter free agency, which is sure to be crazy (and fun).

As of right now, the top contenders to sign James are reportedly the Cavaliers, Warriors, Celtics, Sixers, Lakers, Rockets, Spurs and Heat.

Staying in Cleveland isn’t out of the question, but it seems like James will at least take a look at other places after the Cavaliers were swept by the Warriors in the Finals.

Prediction: LeBron James signs with the Lakers. But really anything can happen when it comes to LeBron.

Will Paul George leave the Thunder?

George is expected to opt out of the final year of his contract to become an unrestricted free agent. While he’s repeatedly said he enjoyed his one year with the Thunder playing alongside Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, a first-round playoff exit has to make George think.

A lot of teams will be interested in him, but he’s long been rumored as a future Los Angeles Laker. George grew up in the Los Angeles area and the Lakers have the cap space to offer him a max contract. Hmm …

Prediction: George signs with the Lakers.

How will the Kawhi Leonard/Spurs situation play out?

This has been one of the strangest NBA storylines in a long time. Nobody really knows what’s going on with Leonard’s lingering quad injury. The Spurs didn’t expect the injury to keep him out for basically the entire 2017-18 season, but Leonard felt the pain was too bad for him to play through and took it upon himself to seek treatment away from the team.

The trust between Leonard and the Spurs has been frayed. But San Antonio isn’t about to give up on a 26-yearold superstar. The Spurs will try to smooth things over this offseason before they even think about trading him.

Prediction: The Spurs mend the relationship and keep Leonard.

Will Celtics stand pat?

This seems like the obvious move for the Celtics with a loaded roster that already has an impressive mix of established stars and young talent with star potential.

But after the Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward injured, should they consider dealing Irving or Hayward to pile up even more assets or get in on a possible Leonard trade?

Either way, the Celtics are well-positioned to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Prediction: Boston keeps its core of stars together, but deals away a secondary piece like Terry Rozier.

Where will DeMarcus Cousins play?

Cousins’ decision to unfollow the Pelicans’ Instagram account has the NBA world wondering what’s next for the big man.

There weren’t many who thought Cousins would leave New Orleans a few months ago, but an Achilles tendon tear in January changed everything. There’s fear that Cousins won’t be the same player when he returns from injury and the Pelicans were able to go on an impressive playoff run without him.

Cousins is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer and could be available at a cheaper price. The Pelicans reportedly are not expected to offer Cousins the five-year, max contract he would have otherwise received.

Will Cousins be OK taking less money to continue playing next to Anthony Davis or will another team give him the max deal he’s looking for?

Prediction: Cousins signs with the Dallas Mavericks.

Will Dwyane Wade retire?

Wade isn’t sure what he’s going to do yet — retire or return for a 16th NBA season. For the first time in his career, he admitted publicly that he will consider retirement. That doesn’t mean the 36-year-old can’t still play, though; he averaged 16.6 points on 44.3 percent shooting in the playoffs and looked like the Heat’s best player at times.

We do know one thing: If Wade returns, it will very likely be as a member of the Heat.

Prediction: Wade returns to play one more season.