Warriors, Knicks, Cavs, 76ers, Nuggets, Heat named top landing spots for $101 million Lakers star

There’s no doubt that free agency is must-see TV right now. 

While several free agents are already off the board, there are plenty still available on the third day of July. 

The most notable one by far is Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, as many are eager to see where the 41-year-old will spend what could be his final NBA season. On Friday morning, the Stein Line’s Marc Stein and Jake Fischer named the Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Miami Heat as potential landing spots for the 22-time All-Star.

“The opportunity to either go out where it all started with the Cavaliers — or to return to the Heat to form an all-new Big Three alongside Antetokounmpo and another Olympic teammate in Bam Adebayo while also reuniting with coach Erik Spoelstra — is why Cleveland and Miami are so routinely cited by league observers as co-favorites with Golden State,” Stein and Fischer wrote.

“Could the Nuggets or the Sixers or even the Knicks, if they so choose, make their own surge to the forefront of James' fourth career foray into free agency?”

“As one team executive from the chasing pack observed Wednesday: Who would dare rule it out after the wholly unexpected manner in which (Jaylen) Brown's career with Boston came to an end?”

Considering the 76ers pulled off an eye-opening trade for Jaylen Brown on Wednesday (by sending Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks), the franchise has a legitimate case for being the most intriguing landing spot for James at the moment. 

The power forward position is the 76ers’ weak spot, as it’s only part of the organization’s starting lineup that doesn’t hold a high-caliber contributor (Tyrese Maxey- point guard, VJ Edgecombe- shooting guard, Jaylen Brown- small forward, Dean Wade-power forward, Joel Embiid-center). 

Cleary Wade, who’s still a valuable asset, is the odd man out in this scenario, which should prompt the 76ers to make the strongest push possible for James. With the four-time NBA champion on the roster, Philadelphia would possess one of the best downhill driving attacks and interior finishing weapons in the league. 

Expect the James sweepstakes to intensify as the offseason continues to take shape.

More NBA news:

• Lakers, Cavaliers, Hawks, Bucks named top landing spots for $48 million Warriors NBA champion reject

• Spurs predicted to outbid Warriors for $101 million Lakers star, four-time NBA champion

• Luka Doncic sends clear message to Lakers on roster they can't afford to ignore