One of the wildest offseasons in recent NBA history still has one of its biggest dominoes left to fall. After a flurry of trades involving superstars like Jaylen Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kawhi Leonard, the final major star still left on the board is LeBron James.
Right before free agency, the four-time NBA champion announced his decision to move on from the Los Angeles Lakers. But he hasn’t decided on his next destination. While a multitude of names have already been floated, one of his staunchest critics believes a return to the Eastern Conference is the perfect answer for him.
LeBron James Could Return to the East?
Immediately, speculation about a return to his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers or a team he won two championships with in the Miami Heat, who traded for Antetokounmpo to kick off the offseason, made the rounds.
Soon after, smoke started rising about the Golden State Warriors, making a run at him. However, so far, no official decision has been made. But now another team might join the running after already making some major changes to their lineup.
As a result, Skip Bayless took to X to reveal what he believed would be the best landing spot for James. However, he couldn’t help himself and ended up taking a slight shot at him for that potential pathway as well.
“Now, Philly would give LeBron the best chance to win another ring (JB, Maxey, Embiid if healthy, Simons). Little better than Cavs, much better than Olden St. But $ would be relative peanuts. AND THE ONLY NARRATIVE WOULD BE RING-CHASING. NO ‘GOING HOME.’ NO STEPH/DRAY/KERR.”
The response from Bayless came after the latest tidbit from senior NBA insider Shams Charania. Making an appearance on “NBA Today,” he revealed that the 76ers, fresh off adding Jaylen Brown, were also aiming for the fences with James.
“I’m told the Sixers are also trying to make a pitch to LeBron James, along with the Warriors, Cavaliers, Heat. So include the Sixers and maybe one or two other teams in due time in that mix.”
It remains to be seen where one of the most intriguing free agency decisions in recent NBA history comes to an end. Still impacting winning at the highest level, as he proved during the Lakers’ first-round series victory over the Houston Rockets, he remains a pivotal figure in the league.
While Bayless is confident that Philadelphia is the right choice for him, the decision is ultimately going to rest exclusively in the 22-time All-Star’s hands.
