As most hoops fans know, Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James can become an unrestricted free agent upon completion of this season, which leaves most fans wondering if he’ll ride off into a Wine and Gold sunset or leave for another team.
ESPN staffers recently polled 48 NBA pros to gauge their free agency predictions for LeBron. For the most part, the anonymous athletes felt that the King will remain in the North.
Where will LeBron sign in the offseason?
Cleveland Cavaliers: 59 percent
Los Angeles Lakers: 22 percent
Miami Heat: 7 percent
Other: 12 percent
Others gaining votes: Memphis Grizzlies, Houston Rockets, Phiadelphia 76ers, and “Not the Cavs”
“He won’t leave after all the moves (the Cavs) made last week,” one Eastern Conference forward told ESPN.
James, now 33 years of age and in his 15th season of NBA service, is showing no signs of regression. In fact, he’s currently posting some of the best statistical figures of his career.
In his 56 appearances with the Cavs this season, James has turned in averages of 26.5 points on 54.4 percent shooting from the field (36.2 percent from beyond the arc), 8.9 assists (career-high), and 8.1 rebounds.
To be frank, there is no one on Kyrie Irving’s flat Earth who knows James’ true intentions for this offseason. The Cavs are certainly willing to offer the Kid from Akron a max deal, but money is obviously not the issue here. This is a man who is focused on winning more Larry O’Brien trophies.
Where should LeBron sign in the offseason?
Cavaliers: 66 percent
Heat: 8 percent
Lakers: 8 percent
Other: 18 percent
Others gaining votes: New York Knicks, Rockets, Sixers, and “No team in the West”
“Honestly, I’m hoping that he stays in Cleveland, just for that city. … But I would definitely understand if he left. It’s a business. You see how they did Blake [Griffin] after bringing him in during free agency, telling him all of this and all of that, and then they trade him away.” — Eastern Conference forward.
Whatever decision James chooses to make this offseason, his legacy in Cleveland is already firmly cemented. For now, we should simply enjoy the ride while it lasts.
