The breaking news around the NBA is that LeBron James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, might decide to pack it up and call it quits on his legendary career. Whether that is confirmed or not remains to be seen, but it is still a bittersweet moment for the majority of NBA fans who have followed James throughout his career. With four NBA titles, four Finals MVPs, and four MVPs to his name, The King has accomplished a lot of great things in the NBA and it has been a pleasure to watch. No other player from the 2003 NBA Draft is currently playing either, which means LeBron has lasted longer than anyone would have ever thought.

After all, LeBron James does have a point in considering his retirement because he has completed 20 years in the league and has nothing left to prove. The most recent sweep at the hands of the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals could signify that James might not get a realistic chance to win it all next year. He will be 39 years old, and players such as Anthony Davis cannot be trusted due to age and attrition. Even if LeBron believes he is still a top-5 player in the world, he might not have the legs or the mental freshness to go through another grind of an NBA season.

Interestingly, James could follow in Michael Jordan’s footsteps (not shadow) and actually retire during the 2023-24 NBA season while still getting paid his salary. Remember, Jordan had three separate retirement phases, once following the 1992-93 season, the second following the 1997-98 season, and the last time following the 2002-03 season. However, the intention is to not call it quits for good but rather make sure he does return to the league the following year. Michael Jordan famously was paid his salary by Jerry Reinsdorf of the Chicago Bulls when the superstar shooting guard retired to play baseball. James most likely won’t play baseball or any other professional sport, but he deserves a one-year sabbatical from the game to refresh his stamina and legs for one more run.

With James potentially coming back for the 2024-25 NBA season, there are some major contenders who would want a chance of acquiring The King. In what could be a sad moment waving goodbye to James but a happy moment when he returns for one last run in the 2025 season, these four franchises will do everything in their power to convince King James to come on board.

New York Knicks

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Obviously, the New York Knicks always have a chance to acquire a top player because of the franchise’s name and history. A chance to acquire one of the game’s greatest players is something the Knicks fans have been dreaming about for years. LeBron’s dedication to his body and his commitment to staying in shape has been well-documented throughout his career and even at 40 years old, he may still be one of the best players in the league. It is also important to consider the state of the Knicks organization in 2024-25. The Knicks have been a poorly run franchise in recent years, with a history of bad contracts and poor personnel decisions.

However, there are signs that the tide may be turning. The hiring of Leon Rose as team president in 2020 and the acquisition of coach Tom Thibodeau was seen as a step in the right direction, and the team has some promising players, including Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and RJ Barrett, that led the Knicks to the second round of the playoffs this year. LeBron James has stated his confusion about his own future, but betting odds are claiming that the Knicks have the best chance to land The King before his retirement. It remains to be seen if that is the case, but the Knicks are certainly major contenders.

James needs a team in a big market to make his grand return to, and the Knicks would honor him in the greatest way possible. Having Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson alongside him means the team has a legitimate Big Three, and the rest of the roster can be filled with shooters and defenders to give the team a chance to actually win the Eastern Conference. New York came close this year with only two stars, so a third one could take them over the top.

San Antonio Spurs

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The prospect of the San Antonio Spurs signing LeBron James in the 2024-25 NBA season is an intriguing one. While this is still two years away, there are several factors to consider when analyzing this potential move. Firstly, it is important to note that LeBron James will be 40 years old in 2025. While he has shown remarkable durability throughout his career, it remains to be seen how his body will hold up over the next several seasons. If James continues to play at an elite level and maintains his health, the Spurs could potentially be interested in signing him. After all, the Spurs are certainly onto something with regard to the potential of a superteam after winning the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes.

Another factor to consider is the Spurs’ current roster and cap situation. While James is undoubtedly a superstar, he would likely demand a significant salary in any potential deal. The Spurs do have the financial flexibility to make such a move while also maintaining a competitive roster since no other player will be making max money for the team. The San Antonio Spurs franchise has a long history of success and a culture that values teamwork and player development. James has also spoken highly of Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich in the past, and the coach could still be the coach or have some sort of advisory role by the time 2025 rolls around.

A chance for LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama, with two years under his belt, to play with each other would be extremely intriguing. Considering the Spurs will struggle next year since there isn’t much talent outside of the talented Frenchman, they could also be in the running for Bronny James. The chance for San Antonio to add LeBron, Bronny, and potentially another superstar looking for a new challenge in Damian Lillard means the Spurs could realistically compete for the NBA championship as soon as the 2025 season.

Los Angeles Lakers

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Obviously, the Los Angeles Lakers are a legitimate destination for LeBron James when The King returns from his one-year retirement. No doubt, the Lakers have a great chance to keep LeBron James and surround him with exceptional talent this summer and even in the following one. Assuming James returns in the 2024-25 season, the Lakers would be in a great position to draft Bronny James Jr and encourage The King to return to play with his son. Together, they would lead the charge, with Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves competing at high levels. If the Lakers act right in the summer, they might even have a chance to acquire another star this summer.

If the Lakers agree to pay The King next year, even if he takes a one-year sabbatical, there could be an agreement in place that the player returns to play for the Purple and Gold. If that’s the case, the league better watch out. The Lakers are always a top destination to attract top-tier free agents, and adding another star player could be in the cards even before James comes back. As long as Bronny James gets drafted, LeBron would be more than happy to compete alongside him.

How would the Lakers’ future look? The salary cap situation next year is intriguing, to say the least, and that means the team can position itself to compete once LeBron returns. Making the Western Conference Finals despite being under .500 at one point this season is truly impressive and the likes of Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura have made themselves untouchable going forward. James clearly loves being in Los Angeles, a big market, so they will be a massive contender to bring one of the greatest players ever back on the team.

Cleveland Cavaliers

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What a story it would be if LeBron James were to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Even if the player and Dan Gilbert are at major odds, the chance for The King to return to his hometown might be too great to ignore. There is major history between James and the Cavaliers franchise, after all.

In 2010, LeBron James shocked the basketball world when he announced his decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Miami Heat. For four seasons, he formed a ‘Big Three’ with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to create one of the most dominant teams in NBA history. However, in 2014, LeBron James announced that he was returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team that drafted him in 2003 and where he had played for seven seasons. His return to the Cavaliers was met with great excitement by the team’s fans and it was not just a homecoming but also a chance for him to bring the Cavs their first championship. James’ goal was not just to seek individual greatness but rather to bring an NBA championship to the city of Cleveland.

During his second stint with the team, LeBron led the Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, winning a championship in 2016. A chance to win another one for the franchise would be massive to James’ legacy, and most would start staking a claim to push him near or even above Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate. Most importantly, James has All-Star talent beside him in Cleveland, especially if the team can find a way to draft Bronny James.

Donovan Mitchell was a superstar at points during the season, posting an incredible 71-point game against the Chicago Bulls. Darius Garland has made the All-Star Team and so has defensive center Jarrett Allen. Evan Mobley was a contender for the Defensive Player of the Year award, and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff has proven to be an excellent basketball mind. James would fit in like a glove to complete the best starting lineup in the NBA. If the team can somehow draft Bronny James, LeBron returning to Cleveland would be an almost foregone conclusion.