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All Eyes on LeBron James as NBA Free Agency Begins This years batch of free agents is thin, but theres one big target looming out there.
While the NBAs free agency period didnt open until 6 p.m.
ET yesterday, the frenzy unofficially began earlier in the afternoon when ESPNs Shams Charania broke the news that LeBron James had informed the Lakers he Jamess search for a new home alters what had been shaping up to be a pretty bland free agency period.
Sure, there have been a few blockbuster trades , and were still waiting to see if the Celtics will move Jaylen Brown, but the list of free agents is uninspiring.
At 41, LeBron isnt necessarily the best player on the market, but he is certainly the most high-profile, and his decision is a massive one.
Where he chooses to sign in the coming days will be a major part of the story of his career.In all likelihood, hes choosing where hell play his final game and what the lasting image of arguably the greatest player ever will be.
But this is far from a ceremonial decision.
Hes not the game-changing force he once was, but hes still capable of being a critical piece of a winning team, and whichever team signs him will be hoping he can help lead them to a championship.At the same time, James is surely looking to win a fifth ring to close the gap with Michael Jordan.would make sense.
The strongest rumors in recent days have linked him to the Warriors.
Draymond Green declined his $27 million player option on Monday,.
The Warriors have long been interested in adding James, particularly after he won a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics with Stephen Curry.The Warriors pursuit of James got a little trickier when they used some of that cap space to re-sign Kristaps Porzingis later on Monday, but they can still make the math work.
Teaming up with Curry would be a fascinating way for James to end his career.
Two players who have defined this era of the NBA and who were on opposite sides of one of the leagues great rivalries.
But its not the only narratively compelling option.Sixteen years after The Decision, James could choose to go back to Miami and join the revamped Heat.
The most poetic option would be for James to go back to Cleveland, finishing his career in his home state with the franchise that he resuscitated more than two decades ago.
It wouldnt be a pure nostalgia play, either.
With Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, the Cavs have the foundation of an Eastern Conference contender.Cleveland does need one more piece, though.
The Cavs rolled the dice at the trade deadline in swapping Darius Garland for James Harden, but that move proved insufficient.
Hardens poor play in the playoffsTheres also the possibility that James picks a less obvious landing spot.
Would he want to swap one L.A.
jersey for another and play for the Clippers?He wouldnt have to move, and his old buddy, Tyronn Lue, is the coach.
Would he want to formally pass the torch to Victor Wembanyama by joining him with the Spurs? Would he want to join an iconic franchise like the Celtics, or play home games in the Worlds Most Famous Arena with the Knicks? Maybe he wants to sign with the Hornets so he can play golf at Pinehurst on his off days.Itll be a lot of fun to debate the possibilities in the coming daysway more fun than just waiting to see where Jalen Duren signs.
Serena Williams had a respectable showing in her Wimbledon return, even if she didnt win.
| IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connectafter recording the second out of the inning, allowing the Rangers to take a 32 lead in the seventh.
Dan Gartland writes Sports Illustrateds flagship daily newsletter, SI:AM, and is the host of the Stadium Wonders video series.
He joined the SI staff in 2014, having previously been published on Deadspin and Slate.
Gartland, a graduate of Fordham University, is a former Sports Jeopardy! champion .