LeBron James enters free agency: Thunder, Warriors among best landing spots for Lakers star

LeBron James is officially a free agent.

As expected, the Lakers star has reportedly turned down his $51.4 million player option for the 2024-25 season to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. James is now free to sign with any team of his choosing.

The most likely outcome is that James remains in Los Angeles by signing a new deal with the Lakers, but that doesn't mean he has limited options. Even though not many teams have cap space this summer, there are a few that make sense as potential landing spots for him.

From the Lakers to the Cavaliers, here are The King's best options in free agency.

MORE: Ranking the best free agent options for Lakers

LeBron James landing spots in free agency

Lakers

James loves living in Los Angeles and he has a pretty good team around him. The most likely course of action is that he renegotiates another short-term deal at the max that will give him the flexibility to leave if things go awry.

The Lakers might not have enough in the tank to beat the Nuggets, but they have avenues to get better next season. They will have their 2029 and 2031 picks available to trade, along with their 2024 pick on draft night. They've already been linked to many different stars. It will be a long summer full of Trae Young, Zach LaVine and Donovan Mitchell rumors.

Adding an All-Star talent to this already-good roster could help the Lakers break through to the inner circle of true contenders. The Lakers can offer LeBron the most money, he's the most comfortable there and they have a pretty good team. They also now have his son, Bronny, in the mix and hired James' close friend JJ Redick as their head coach. That makes them the clear favorite to re-sign The King.

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Warriors

There is certainly interest in James. Golden State tried to trade for him at the deadline but was rebuffed by both the Lakers and LeBron himself.

Maybe that changes this offseason. James has previously stated that he'd love to play with Stephen Curry. He also has a good relationship with fellow Klutch Sports client Draymond Green.

The Warriors don't have cap space to sign James outright. They would have to get the Lakers' cooperation in a sign-and-trade to make a deal happen.

Would Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins, one of their young players, and their 2026 and 2028 draft picks be enough to get a deal done? That is the best offer that the Warriors can make.

MORE: How Golden State can acquire LeBron in 2024 offseason

Thunder

If James wants to prioritize winning his fifth ring, then going to Oklahoma City is his best bet.

While the Thunder are undoubtedly very young, they are a great team that will be in championship contention next year without James. With him, they might be considered Finals favorites.

James has had to carry too much of the offensive burden in Los Angeles. He could take a backseat to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and be more selective about conserving his energy in his age 40 season. He'd also have the shooting lasers that he's complained about missing with the Lakers. Chet Holmgren would give him a stretch five that he hasn't had since Kevin Love, Jalen Williams is a career 40 percent shooter from deep and Lu Dort has quietly turned into a deadly 3-and-D weapon.

OKC's acquisition of Alex Caruso only helps. In addition to being one of the NBA's best defenders, Caruso has history with James, having won a championship together in 2020.

The Thunder have a couple of different ways to offer James a max deal. They have about $35 million in cap space. They could do a sign-and-trade with the Lakers, giving up Dort, Cason Wallace and picks (of which they have too many to count).

If Los Angeles did lose James, then this would give them the quickest possible avenue to rebuild. They could get some good young prospects and a ton of picks, keeping their team competitive in the interim and dropping their payroll below the tax.

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Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are a good team whose pieces don't quite fit together. Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland have too much overlap. The same goes for Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. They may be looking to break up their core four.

James could fix those problems. The Cavs could send two of those pieces back in exchange. They would have to use some high-level players in a sign-and-trade because they don't have cap space and lack draft equity. On the day of the draft, they will have their 2024 and 2031 first-round picks available to move.

James has at least considered the possibility. When asked about a potential return back in 2022, he told Jason Lloyd of The Athletic that "the door's not closed."

The Cavs could offer him a no-trade clause, allowing him to finish his career where he started it. He'd also have a good chance for one final ring. It would be the perfect ending to his legacy.