LeBron James’ future: ESPN’s 5 possible scenarios

With unrestricted free agency approaching, LeBron James once again finds himself in full control of his destiny. After 23 legendary seasons, the four-time NBA champion has earned the right to choose how and where to finish his career.

Despite a historically tense relationship with the player, ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith put together a ranking of the five best options for James’ future, offering takes that range from pure basketball romance to cold market logic.

5. Retirement: the farewell of a legend

Fifth on the list is retirement, a decision James has seemingly considered every year given the reality of being 41 years old. Even though his body is still holding up well, Smith emphasized that the Lakers star has nothing left to accomplish: with four titles, four MVPs and a guaranteed place on basketball’s Mount Rushmore, his legacy is already untouchable.

He has nothing left to prove. Four-time champion, four-time MVP… one of the greatest ever. I don’t think he’ll do it, and I’m not saying he should, especially because he still hasn’t had his farewell tour, and he deserves one

Stephen A. Smith

The only real obstacle to that decision is the lack of a proper farewell tour, a tribute LeBron would fully deserve before officially stepping away after 23 legendary seasons.

4. Lakers: the comfort zone

Remaining with the Los Angeles Lakers would represent the choice of stability, driven by the ideal climate of Los Angeles and the deep ties he has built with the franchise. Still, staying with the Lakers looks like a compromise between quality of life and championship ambitions: according to Smith, remaining in California would mean accepting the reality that another title may be out of reach, considering the strength of teams like OKC, San Antonio and Minnesota.

He’ll have to accept the fact there’s no damn chance he wins a championship… you’re not winning a damn title. But if you live in L.A., with the Southern California sunshine and great weather, you can live with that. There are worse things than playing basketball in a Lakers jersey

Stephen A. Smith

Even so, the support of teammates like Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves remains an important human factor pushing toward continuity.

3. Warriors: the dream super-team with curry

The third option may be the most fascinating for the entire NBA landscape: joining the Golden State Warriors to form an unprecedented duo with Stephen Curry. Watching James team up with the greatest shooter in history would be a total basketball and media event, capable of instantly putting the Warriors back in the title picture.

Can you imagine LeBron James with the greatest shooter God ever created? And remember, because LeBron is a free agent, you wouldn’t have to give up Draymond. You could wait for Jimmy Butler to come back from injury. Steve Kerr is coaching for the next two years. Can you imagine it?

Stephen A. Smith

This scenario would allow LeBron to compete at the highest level in an already proven system under Steve Kerr (who renewed his contract for another 2 years), without the team sacrificing key pieces such as Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler or Kristaps Porzingis.

2. Cleveland Cavaliers: a second homecoming to Ohio

Second place belongs to the romantic scenario of a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the team from his home state. After already delivering the city its 2016 championship, James would now find a young and talented group already ready to make the next leap.

Come home. Because with James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen and those other guys, if they don’t win this year, then we’ll know Cleveland just isn’t that team. The only person who can change their fortunes and give you his swan song is LeBron James. The second he gets to Cleveland, they automatically become favorites to win the Eastern Conference

Stephen A. Smith

According to Smith’s view, LeBron joining a roster featuring stars like Donovan Mitchell and James Harden would instantly make the Cavs overwhelming favorites in the East, giving him the perfect stage for the final chapter of his career.

1. New York Knicks: Broadway stage and business empire

At the top of Stephen A. Smith’s rankings, surprisingly, are the New York Knicks.

Now, I understand it’s emotional. I know that. But when I think about the New York Knicks, two things come to mind. If they don’t win the title this year, again, you don’t have to give up anybody for LeBron James to join the team. He can go there as a free agent. And money won’t be a problem because he’d be playing for James Dolan. That man will make him another billion dollars

Stephen A. Smith

It would be an explosive combination of basketball upside and business opportunity: the union of LeBron’s brand with the Knicks’ brand could generate hundreds of millions in additional sponsorship earnings.

LeBron isn’t Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant. He’ll go to the Knicks. That’s the brand that could easily make LeBron another half-billion dollars. And the New York Knicks themselves would be favorites to win the East

Stephen A. Smith

From a basketball standpoint, adding James to an already strong core of Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns would make New York the team to beat in the East, giving LeBron the chance to finish his career in the “Mecca of Basketball” with a legitimate shot at another championship.