LeBron James is getting close to the end of his legendary playing career in the NBA.
While he will conclude his 23rd season with the Los Angeles Lakers, a 24th year remains up in the air. There are teams that will pursue his services in the offseason, but which one has the best chance of bringing him onto the roster? One that stands out comes from the Eastern Conference.
The East Team LeBron James Could Pursue in the Offseason
At age 41, James continues to shine as one of the NBA’s best veteran stars. He recently racked up his 22nd All-Star appearance, showing he still has plenty of gas left in the tank.
However, it has been apparent on the court that he is slowing down and won’t be able to play at an elite level every night. Which is why, if he plays another season, it will have to be on a roster that can lessen his burden while giving him one last chance at a championship. The New York Knicks stand out as a team that can acquire the 23rd-year star in free agency, per national writer Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
“Other teams to appeal to James are the Golden State Warriors and the New York Knicks. The Cavaliers and Knicks are among the Eastern Conference contenders. The Golden State Warriors have struggled to stay healthy, but the Steph Curry/James combination would be something to see,” Pincus wrote.
James Has a Crucial Decision Ahead for Him This Offseason
James will be an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires in the 2026 offseason. This paves the way for him to choose his destination if he truly decides to move on from the Lakers after eight seasons.
The Cavaliers certainly shine as a potential favorite to land him. James has a strong personal connection to the franchise, leading them to their first-ever title in 2016. He also put them on the map in NBA relevancy, leading them to five NBA Finals appearances throughout his two stints with the organization.
They also possess a talented core of players that would greatly help James, especially on offense. Donovan Mitchell and James Harden are elite scorers who can allow James to emphasize a playmaking role while having Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen assist him on the defensive side of the ball.
The Warriors also stand out as a contender, looking to pair him with their franchise star, Stephen Curry. It’s clear it would be a last shot attempt at one more championship for the two future Hall of Famers. However, they would need better talent across the roster to improve their chances of title contention.
As for the Knicks, it’s why they might have the next best chances to land James in free agency besides Cleveland. They have the core that can make deep playoff runs and compete for a championship, possessing Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, among others.
What they need is one more player to add to the rotation to get them over the hump, something that James would certainly do. Even at age 41, he remains serious about competing for championships, with a fifth title firmly on his mind.
James will have a lot to consider as retirement approaches. However, if he feels he has one more season left in him before calling it a career, he can choose a situation that gives him one last great chance to end it with a bang. It will be intriguing to see if the Knicks, Cavaliers, or Warriors can pull it off this upcoming summer.