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As NBA Summer League rolls on in Las Vegas, league executives, agents and media have turned their attention to where the four-time NBA champion could play next season, with several contenders still firmly in the mix.<\/p>\n
While speculation has been plentiful, there has been little movement behind the scenes. James\u2019 agent, Rich Paul, is continuing discussions with interested teams, relaying pitches and updates directly to the 41-year-old as organisations attempt to convince him to make one final championship run.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament, Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry admitted the prospect of teaming up with James would have once seemed impossible.<\/p>\n
Stephen Curry, USA’s #06 LeBron Jame pose after the men’s Gold Medal basketball match between France and USA during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris on August 10, 2024. (Photo by Damien MEYER \/ AFP)Source: AFP<\/p>\n
\u201cUp until probably two, three years ago, that was like a pipedream question or even a thought,\u201d Curry said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut that\u2019s part of the allure. Him going into his 24th season, me going into my 18th, the battles we\u2019ve had, that would be such a unique story in NBA history, in sports history.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut a little premature right now to talk about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Minnesota Timberwolves coach Chris Finch has also publicly endorsed the idea of bringing James to Minneapolis, joining the growing list of figures hoping to lure one of the game\u2019s greatest players.<\/p>\n
Despite the public campaigning, league insiders continue to view the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat as the two leading destinations.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia has also been consistently mentioned among the genuine contenders, while Golden State, Minnesota and Denver are generally considered outsiders at this stage.<\/p>\n
Another factor working in favour of the Eastern Conference contenders is James\u2019 reported preference to return east after spending the past several seasons in the Western Conference.<\/p>\n
WESTBROOK TO SOUTH BEACH?<\/p>\n
Another veteran generating attention is Russell Westbrook, who remains available in unrestricted free agency.<\/p>\n
The former MVP averaged 15.2 points and 6.7 assists per game last season while shooting 33.8 per cent from beyond the arc. Although he wasn\u2019t viewed as one of the top guards on the market when free agency opened, his experience has become increasingly attractive as teams look to round out their rosters.<\/p>\n
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