LeBron James could be passing up his perfect team

Even though the NBA Summer League is kicking off on Thursday, plenty of the talk in the league is still about LeBron James finding his perfect fit after the Los Angeles Lakers. James' potential landing spot really is the biggest storyline of the NBA's offseason.

After eight years with the Lakers, James is single again, professionally, and looking for his next team. According to a report from ESPN's Shams Charania out on Wednesday, three teams are emerging as favorites to get him: the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers.

"What we do know is that LeBron James wants to be in a competitive, competing environment," Charania added on NBA Today. "He wants to play meaningful basketball, I'm told. But as far as a timeline, there is no timetable. LeBron James does not appear to be in a rush."

But, from the start, one team has been pretty much off James' radar. He just hasn't been interested in this team, and that's a mistake.

LeBron James is missing a golden opportunity

James and the Detroit Pistons could make magic together. LeBron wants to play for a contender, and for whatever reason, he doesn't see the Pistons as that.

James is missing out. Don't underestimate Cade Cunningham. Don't underestimate J.B. Bickerstaff. This is a team gunning for the future.

"I haven't seen Detroit mentioned anywhere as a LeBron destination, but he'd really fit," John Hollinger of The Athletic noted. "Maybe it's just a bridge too far for an Ohio guy."

He adds that "Detroit won 60 games last season, but nobody talks about the Pistons when they talk about contenders."

It's a shame, because the Pistons are absolutely contenders. Hollinger also makes the point that "Detroit has all its future picks and is plus-six on future seconds, has a clean cap beyond this season and has multiple expiring or non-guaranteed contracts to use as a salary match" and adds that "the Pistons are primed to pounce." There's also the fact that the Pistons were the No. 1 seed in the East last season after posting a 60-22 record.

LeBron could be sleeping on a team that could be one of the best fits for him to end his career.