John Canady

LeBron James Opts In for Final Year with Lakers: NBA Updates

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<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/lebron-james/2994">LeBron James</a> opted in to his $52.6 million player option with the <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/depth-chart/los-angeles-lakers-depth-chart">Los Angeles Lakers</a> over the weekend. Shortly after announcing his decision, James' agent Rich Paul released a statement making it clear that the future Hall of Famer is focused on having a realistic chance to compete for a championship and understands that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers are focused on building towards the future.
As of now, it's unclear if the 21-time All-Star will stay put in Los Angeles or if the two sides will work to find a landing spot for him to join a contender. Nonetheless, if James is made available for trade, here's a look at five teams that could be an interesting fit.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with<a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/"> SportsGrid</a>.

Top 5 Landing Spots for LeBron James

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The <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/depth-chart/dallas-mavericks-depth-chart">Dallas Mavericks</a> have been a team gaining buzz as a potential landing spot for James if he is made available for trade. With two former teammates in <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/kyrie-irving/3201">Kyrie Irving</a> and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/anthony-davis/3010">Anthony Davis</a> already on the roster, the Mavs are seemingly one more star away from potentially getting over the hump in the Western Conference.
Not only does Nico Harrison have the salaries at his disposal to make a deal work, but he's already proven that he has absolutely no problem making a bold move if he feels it will get his team closer to contending for a championship.
Dunk on the sportsbooks tonight! Grab SportsGrid’s free <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/picks">NBA picks</a>, <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/player-props">NBA props</a>, and <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/sgp">NBA SGPs</a>.

1) Dallas Mavericks

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James has already returned to Ohio once before to deliver the <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/depth-chart/cleveland-cavaliers-depth-chart">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> an NBA Championship. When the  Akron native opted to depart from the Cavs the second time, it was clear that the team was in need of a reset. Since then, Cleveland has retooled their roster to the point that it now looks like a true contender in the Eastern Conference.
Not only would this be a fairy tale ending for James' career to return home for one last run, but it can't be ignored that the Cavaliers truly have the roster to give him a chance to contend.

2) Cleveland Cavaliers

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The <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/depth-chart/san-antonio-spurs-depth-chart">San Antonio Spurs</a> were reluctant to part with young players and assets in a potential deal to acquire <a href="https://app.sportsgrid.com/players_list">Kevin Durant</a>. Although the team seems set on waiting for a bigger star to become available, landing a talent like James could prove to be worth the swing, especially if the price isn't as steep as it once was, considering he's 40 years old.
There's no telling if San Antonio would truly be open to making a deal work to land the forward, but if they were, they have the expiring salaries and young players to make a deal work. Not to mention, it's safe to say adding James to the Spurs roster would make them an immediate contender.

3) San Antonio Spurs

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The <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/depth-chart/philadelphia-76ers-depth-chart">Philadelphia 76ers</a> and Daryl Morey have proven already that there's no fear in taking big swings, especially if it gets them one step closer to competing for a championship. Philly showed that with the free agent signing of <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/players/paul-george/3131">Paul George</a> last offseason, and while that deal hasn't unfolded exactly as the team envisioned, he'd be a solid centerpiece in a return for the Lakers if the Sixers came calling.
Landing a California native and potentially other assets to send James to the East with a chance to compete lands them on this list.

4) Philadelphia 76ers

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It feels like the idea of LeBron James playing for the <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/depth-chart/new-york-knicks-depth-chart">New York Knicks</a> has always been a dream scenario that is mentioned every time the star becomes available. New York has the personnel on the roster to make a deal work and remain a contender.
With Leon Rose running the show, James would immediately be an intriguing spot in a big market like New York for players and agents who want to get their team into a winning situation. Is a deal likely? Probably not. Would it be exciting to see a full season of James under the lights of Madison Square Garden? Absolutely.

5) New York Knicks

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If LeBron James is traded this offseason, these five landing spots make the most sense based on title contention, market size, roster fit, and long-term vision.

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