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LeBron James is heading toward free agency, and assuming he doesn't retire, it's going to be a fascinating process.
James showed even at 41 years old with the Los Angeles Lakers that he can still be a major contributor on a winning basketball team. Plenty of teams, including the Lakers, will be interested in getting him on their side for next season.
In a new article on Friday, ESPN's Bobby Marks ranks James as his No. 1 free agent for this offseason, which is remarkable when you think about how long the King has been in the NBA.
Even if it's just for one year, James can make an outsized impact on whatever team he ends up with.
Marks goes on to project that James will sign a one-year deal for $30 million that includes a no-trade clause.
He lists five teams in the running: the Lakers, Cavaliers, Spurs, Nuggets and Warriors.
"Can the Lakers afford to bring back James on a $50 million salary and still be in a position to bolster their roster?" Marks writes. "When factoring in a new contract for Austin Reaves, that answer is a resounding no. Would James compromise to return to L.A.? A $30 million salary would allow the Lakers to re-sign Luke Kennard, Rui Hachimura and use the full $15 million non-tax midlevel exception. The Lakers could also act as a cap space team but without Hachimura and Kennard. They would then have $20 million in room and also the $9.4 million room exception."
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Marks then issues a warning for the interested teams that aren't the Lakers.
"As for suitors outside of the Lakers, teams such as Cleveland, Denver, Golden State and New York can offer only the $3.9 million veterans minimum," Marks writes.
That could mean James leans toward the Lakers if the salary matters, even just as a point of pride.
But there are going to be plenty of interested organizations, and James will have a big decision to make.
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