Lebron James could opt to join the Los Angeles Lakers or Miami Heat next season if the "King" could give the Cleveland Cavaliers an NBA title.
James may well be on his way to take his talents back to South Beach or probably take over as a successor to Kobe Bryant's Lakers next season, according to ESPN's Stephen A Smith. James has a chance to decline his player option in his two-year $46.9 million pact with the Cavs, but only if the four-time NBA MVP could bring the NBA championship to Cleveland as what he promised when he joined the Cavs two years ago.
"LeBron James promised the city of Cleveland, "I'm coming back to bring you that elusive title that has escaped this city since 1964." He never said anything about staying once he does accomplish that," Smith told ESPN First Take Today.
"He ain't going nowhere if he loses. But, if he wins, his options are open. LA, but especially Miami, a return to South Beach."
There is a reason to believe James would actually opt out of his deal with the Cavs, considering the massive amount of money available in this summer's free agency. But opting out of his contract does not necessarily mean he could join another team. He could simply sign another lucrative deal with the Cavs and remain with the team for a few more years.
Nevertheless, expect James to be on top of every team's free agent list if the two-time NBA champ really decides to decline his player option.
For the Lakers, having James would instantly mean a trip back to the playoffs and possibly an NBA Finals appearance if the team gets the right talents to surround James. With a projected max cap space of $62.6 million, the Lakers are in position to offer James a max deal, although it still unlikely for James to don a Purple and Gold jersey.
On the other hand, a move back to Miami would probably be the most realistic option for James, considering his established relationship with the organization after helping the Heat two NBA championships during his time there.
However, the Heat will only have a projected $36.6 million in cap space for this summer, and with Dwyane Wade about to explore free agency, there would not be enough money on the table to lure James back into South Beach.
There were wild speculations about James forming another superteam with his buddies Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul, according to a story chronicled by Bleacher Report's Howard Beck. ESPN's Dave McMenamin believes if such blockbuster transactions occur, the best place to form a superteam would be in LA, which presumably the Lakers given the cap space they would have in July.
James, arguably the most dominant player in the planet, should probably decide on his immediate future once the Cavs are finished with their postseason businesses. There is no certainty whether James would leave the Cavs once again to take his talents elsewhere, but it would be intriguing to see him have another run with the Heat or replace Kobe Bryant as the Lakers' next face.