Stephen A. Smith proclaimed on ESPN’s First Take on Wednesday that LeBron James will "have a conversation" with the Golden State Warriors during his free agency period this offseason.
Smith added that James also plans to meet with the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Houston Rockets being “in the mix” as well. Basically, LeBron is exploring all of his option this summer, and can you blame him?
At 33 years old, James is entering a crossroads of sorts in his NBA career. Prior to the start of the 2018 NBA Finals, LeBron claimed that he’s made peace with his placement in the history books, and if that’s the case, the idea of title chasing in the twilight of his playing days has already escaped his mind. However, his journey to the Finals this year should serve as a reminder for The King that he shouldn’t have to push his body to these extreme limits only to fall short of hoisting a championship trophy. While most NBA players at his age have already turned into shells of their former selves, James has somehow gotten better. He’s truly an exception to the rule, but who knows how long this magical run lasts? The question then becomes, does LeBron want to start settling into a role as the No. 2 option during the decline of his career, or does he prefer to go out as the No. 1 in a blaze of glory?
While a return to the Cavs is still an option for LeBron, it comes with the understanding that the roster needs some drastic improvements before he even considers signing on the dotted line. However, with teams like the 76ers, Celtics, and Rockets, James would be entering a situation where he wouldn’t be expected to take on the lion’s share of the workload on offense and defense. With the Warriors, it’s quite possible that LeBron is simply testing the waters, and not genuinely serious about joining the team, unless they can meet his salary requirements. In February, ESPN’s Chris Haynes reported that The King would "listen if Golden State explored ways to clear the necessary cap space." If the Warriors want to make cap space, they would need to break up the Big 4, and why would they want to do that? After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
James has indicated that family will play an important role in his decision this summer. His wife Savannah is expected to have a "major, major say," according to Smith, in where her husband winds up playing next season. If she wants to stay in Cleveland or start a new life in L.A., then the decision is quite simple for LeBron, especially if winning titles isn't his highest priority. But, if Savannah is open to the idea of moving to The Bay, may God have mercy on our basketball-lovin' souls.
