Top LeBron James Landing Spots, Ranked

Since LeBron James became an unrestricted free agent, team executives have brought their A games to land the four-time NBA champion.

Latest reports even suggest that teams are sending voice messages to convince him to sign with them. But it seems like James is far away from making any decision about his next step.

Since the ‘King’ is not going to reveal his preferred destinations, we took the responsibility of ranking his top landing spots.

Top landing spots for LeBron James

4. Golden State Warriors

According to SportingNews, box office union between LeBron and Stephen Curry is possible in the Bay Area, but there are too many roadblocks to sign the four-time NBA champion.

They have a $3.9 million veteran exception to offer him. However, if they trade Moses Moody ($12.5 million contract), it would put them $38 million below the NBA’s first apron hard cap.

If the Warriors offer Green, who has already declined his player option somewhere around $20-$22 million, they can offer James approximately $6 million. But that would still be a significant cut from his $52.6 million salary from the last season.

3. Miami Heat

The Miami Heat have already improved their playoff standing after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. With LeBron, Giannis and Bam Adebayo leading the frontcourt, they can be one of the favorites to come out of the East.

The Heat can offer the most money among all the suitors. They are $10.5 million below the first apron hard cap with two roster spots available. They can offer him $7 million and also sign a 14th player while remaining under the threshold.

2. Philadelphia 76ers

The Sixers have become perhaps the deepest offensive team in the East after trading for Jaylen Brown. With Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe and Brown, LeBron has the highest chance to achieve his championship goal.

Unfortunately, they have very little to offer to the four-time NBA champion.

The Sixers started their offseason with a $15 million non-tax mid-level exception. But they split it between Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons. From the remaining $5.5 million biannual exception, they signed Ariel Hukporti.

Now they have just $3.9 million veteran exception available to offer James.

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron enjoys a godly status in Cleveland. For arguably the greatest, no place would give a better ending to his chapter in the NBA. LeBron deserves to be sent off by his people.

However, the Cavs’ financial issue is a big roadblock for the signing. While they are below the first and second apron lines, they have a limited tax mid-level exception.

LeBron might have to take a massive pay cut to sign. Cleveland can offer him $6.1 million. Paying him more than that, they would be hard-capped at the first apron.