For the first time since 2018, LeBron James is available in free agency.
James informed the Los Angeles Lakers last month that he intends to play his 24th NBA season elsewhere, ending his eight-year run with the franchise. The 41-year-old is now an unrestricted free agent, coming off a season in which he averaged 20.9 points 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds on 51.5% shooting. In other words: James can still help a team, which is exactly what he intends.
James wants to play "meaningful, competitive basketball" at his next stop, a source familiar with James' thinking told ESPN's Dave McMenamin. James' agent, Rich Paul, said last week that he had spoken to 27 teams about him, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat.
What could the most appealing teams offer to James -- both on and off the court? And if money isn't his top priority, could he instead join a contender and be a role player for a chance at his fifth NBA title?
We asked NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Bobby Marks to evaluate the top options for James -- and explore what each of the six potential finalists can actually offer him.
Each team has pros and cons, and each can offer varying ways to fit him onto its roster. Let's start with a potential third reunion with the franchise that drafted him in 2003:
Jump to an offer: 76ers | Cavs | Heat Nuggets | Warriors | Wolves
Cleveland Cavaliers
What the Cavs can offer James: The next contract of James Harden, who declined his $42.3 million player option for 2026-27, could play a role in whether the Cavaliers have the $3.9 million veterans minimum exception or the $6.1 million tax midlevel.
Not including Harden, Cleveland is $25.3 million below the first apron and $38 million under the second. If a team uses more than $6.1 million of the signing exception, it is then hard-capped at the first apron.
For Cleveland to open up more than $6.1 million, it would need to trade either Max Strus or Dennis Schroder. -- Marks