bostonglobe
LeBron Jamess disengagement with the Lakers in the past few weeks was no ploy for a bigger contract or to create more buzz around his potential free agency.
It was serious.
The Lakers never made James a serious offer, and behind the scenes, he made plans for a future that didnt include Los Angeles.
He made it official on Tuesday, just hours before free agency began, announcing that he was continuing his career, but not with the Lakers.
James remains one of the games most productive players, although hes lost a step and some endurance at age 41.
He will have several suitors over the next few weeks, especially since he is maintaining that money isnt his primary motivation; its winning.
As poor an offseason as the Celtics have endured already, it would be a daring move for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens to take the beleaguered Jaylen Brown off the trade market and then pursue a one-year contract with James for a chance to win a title in Boston and go out in glory.
It sounds like a crazy idea, but it really isnt.
The Raptors just reacquired Kawhi Leonard for a potential second title run, and hes 35 with a well-chronicled injury history.
Other clubs are taking major chances with the hopes of chasing a championship, while it appears Stevens is playing it close to the vest, afraid of the repercussions of having two maximum-salary players.
Its time for Stevens to make amends with Brown, who is their best chance at beating the Knicks, and go the unconventional route.
At least place a call to James and offer their mid-level exception.
A team with Brown, Jayson Tatum, and James is a championship contender, and the hope is three players with a combined 42 years in the NBA could figure out who gets the ball where and when.
Oddsmakers have the Celtics behind only the Warriors and Cavaliers when it comes to landing James, so this notion is circulating.
And it would be his best chance at a championship.
The Warriors have made their interest obvious and will offer a deal, but a team with James, Stephen Curry, Al Horford, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler is the millennial version of The Over-The-Hill Gang, with Steve Kerr playing the George Allen role.
That would be an entertaining group, the best team in the world in 2016, but wouldnt make the Thunder or Spurs pause for concern.
Other clubs will emerge as James contenders, though, because he appears open to a fresh environment and one that will appreciate his talents as his career concludes.
The Lakers chose to shift their cornerstone focus to the talented but mercurial Luka Doncic, who was sidelined during the postseason with a hamstring injury and has yet to show he can physically endure the rigors of a full season because of his conditioning issues.
James was the lone player of their big three along with Austin Reaves who was completely healthy and productive for their playoff run, which ended with a loss to the Thunder.
James is unquestionably a polarizing figure, and any team that signs him would have to accept the attention he attracts and the demands he has.
On the floor, there is only a benefit to having James.
He can play five positions, including point forward.
He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists last season as the Lakers third offensive option.
Any team that brings in James will not expect him to be the primary scoring option, and surrounding him with talent is the best way to maximize his skills.
The Heat, who just acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo to join Bam Adebayo, are seeking to fill their roster with a third option, and Pat Riley could pursue a reunion.
James is arguably the greatest player of all time, and hes aging well, although the aging is happening.
Hes comparable locally to Tom Brady, who remained effective well into his 40s but his physical limitations became apparent.
Its the same situation with James.
He lacks the 42-minutes-per-game endurance of the past.
He isnt as impactful on defense and doesnt attack the rim with the vigor of his vintage form.
Still, he quickly emerges as the premier free agent on the market.
He has a championship pedigree and will make any team better.
A return to Cleveland is also viable, but the Cavaliers could only offer him a minimum contract unless they get out of the second apron and work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Lakers.
James will be the biggest story of this summers free agent period.
Hell have a chance to choose his next and perhaps final team, and as usual, basketball fans will be following every moment of his Decision because James is still that captivating.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist.
He can be reached at [email protected].
Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.