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The LeBron James free agency saga concluded dramatically this month, with the Philadelphia 76ers securing the four-time NBA champion's commitment for what are likely the final years of his storied career. However, Philadelphia was far from the only suitor for the former Lakers star.
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, two surprising NBA franchises also entered the mix: the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Clippers. The Celtics reportedly expressed interest, though no further details were provided. The Clippers, on the other hand, were in discussions with James about a one-year contract worth over $20 million, which would have allowed him to remain at his home in Brentwood, California.
James, whose agent Rich Paul reportedly had conversations with as many as 27 teams during free agency, instead chose a different path. He signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the 76ers, a move viewed as bold by multiple sources close to the situation. Reports of Celtics and Clippers interest emerged after Paul confirmed that James held a secret meeting with Cavaliers ownership in Akron, Ohio, in early July. ESPN's Shams Charania was aware of the meeting but chose not to report it because the information was off the record.
How LeBron James Would Have Fit on the Celtics or Clippers
As James prepares for his 24th NBA season in Philadelphia, where he will team up with Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid, it's intriguing to imagine how he would have fit with the Celtics or Clippers. Boston recently traded Brown in a blockbuster deal that brought in Paul George and a haul of draft picks, while also adding Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley. With those moves, James would have formed a superstar duo with Jayson Tatum, filling the void left by Brown. However, James has previously stated he hated playing in Boston because of racist fans, and his potential relationship with coach Joe Mazzulla might have been contentious.
For the Clippers, relocating within Los Angeles would have been convenient, allowing James to stay in the city he's called home for nearly a decade. But chasing a fifth championship with the Clippers might have been a poor choice. Kawhi Leonard was traded to the Raptors in a deal still under NBA investigation for salary cap circumvention. The Clippers' projected lineup for 2026—featuring Darius Garland, Brandon Ingram, and Brook Lopez—lacked the star power James would have needed. While reuniting with former Lakers teammate Rui Hachimura could have been appealing, the Clippers' organizational instability made the move unlikely for basketball reasons.