Report: LeBron to consider 4 teams in free agency
LeBron James only has four teams on his prospective list of suitors if he opts out of his contract this summer, league sources told The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor. Those teams are reportedly the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Related: 4 teams not named the Cavs that have a real chance of signing LeBron
The report is not surprising. Due to salary cap space or lack thereof, very few teams will have the ability to pay James a max contract or anything close. The Rockets, specifically, would need to clear room under the cap and potentially get creative with other contracts.
The market dynamics and short-term competitive windows of the teams named other than the Cavs are also logical factors. For example, the Atlanta Hawks are expected to have cap space but are not expected to be in play for LeBron's services.
One team not named, perhaps surprisingly, is the San Antonio Spurs.
The free-agent sweepstakes have already begun in earnest, with local businesses in Los Angeles and Philadelphia springing "We want LeBron" billboards.
The 2018-19 campaign will be James' 16th in the NBA. He turns 34 in December and has spent 11 years over two stints with the Cavs, and four seasons with the Miami Heat.