The Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as a top landing spot for LeBron James, but some execs still view another team as his best free agency option. <\/p>\n
According to Front Office Sports’ Alex Schiffer<\/a>, several Western Conference executives expect the 41-year-old to choose the Golden State Warriors over Cleveland, though the consensus is that the sweepstakes will come down to those two teams. <\/p>\n Additionally, Schiffer added that teams in the mix for James have discussed trading for Bronny James if the four-time MVP ends up on their team. <\/p>\n The Cavs and Warriors, along with the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Minnesota Timberwolves, are\u00a0reported<\/a>\u00a0to be the top landing spots for James in his 24th season. Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia are\u00a0reportedly<\/a>\u00a0viewed as being ahead of the other teams in the race for James.<\/p>\n But despite what insiders have reported, the executives polled by Schiffer agreed that the Cavs and Warriors are the two most likely teams to end up signing James this offseason.<\/p>\n Cleveland makes sense as a final destination for James, as he could return to his hometown team and the one that drafted him for one last championship run. It would make for a storybook ending to his career.<\/p>\n Golden State makes sense for James at 41. He wouldn’t have to be too far from his current home in Los Angeles and wouldn’t have to spend the year across the country from his family.<\/p>\n Plus, he would get to team up with his former rival, Stephen Curry, along with his friend Draymond Green, who\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0he made a “crazy” pitch to James recently.<\/p>\n If James picks Golden State, one exec doesn’t believe it should be labeled as “ring-chasing.”<\/p>\n “You can’t call this ring-chasing,” the executive told Schiffer. “LeBron is 41 and Steph is 38. This is an attempt to see if the old guard can get one last title.”<\/p>\n One thing that could keep him from signing with the Warriors is the prospect of having to be the No. 1 option. While Curry and Jimmy Butler could take most of the brunt on offense, both players have dealt with injuries over the past year and could end up missing time this season.<\/p>\n Should James sign with a team like Cleveland or Miami, he would regularly be the team’s second or third option, which might be more appealing to him as the oldest player in the NBA.<\/p>\n Regardless, James will make an impact wherever he goes. Last season, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game, serving as a great second option to Luka Doncic.<\/p>\n