Since the Cleveland Cavaliers were defeated in last year’s NBA Finals, one rumor has dominated the league: Will Lebron James leave the Cavs this offseason? At the onset of the season, when the Cavs were clearly struggling to beat even the weakest of opponents, Lebron’s exit seemed almost inevitable. In an attempt to sway’s LeBron’s opinion to stay in Cleveland, management blew up the roster at the trade deadline, garnering more offensive talent in order to appease the King. Since then, the Cavs have certainly improved their level of play, but they have not been anywhere near as dominant as they were last year when they had Kyrie Irving starting at the point guard position. Nevertheless, LeBron led the Cavs back to the finals to once again face the Golden State Warriors. Will Lebron dare leave the Cavs for a second time, despite bringing them to four straight finals? Or will he begin a new journey to stroll into the twilight of his career?

While it is not feasible for the majority of them, every NBA team will certainly have open ears as far as where LeBron might go. Currently, the Philadelphia 76ers seem poised to win the LeBron James sweepstakes, using their young talented core as bargaining chips. However, LeBron has also been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. Other teams, such as the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and even the Golden State Warriors have also been rumored to be potential destinations for the King, but their odds are significantly less than those of the leading candidates.

The Case for the Rockets: The Rockets were one win away from reaching the NBA Finals and dethroning the superteam that is the Golden State Warriors this year. Some argue that they are just one piece away from being able to take over the NBA, and LeBron James can certainly be that piece. The addition of James to a Rockets team that already has the MVP favorite James Harden and playmaking veteran Chris Paul would make the Rockets the team to beat in the West, and it would most definitely give the Warriors a run for their money in the Western Conference.

The Case for the Lakers: The Lakers, unlike the Rockets, were not a playoff team this past year. However, the future is bright in L.A, as General Manager Magic Johnson has stockpiled the storied franchise with young players such as Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, and Kyle Kuzma; all three have all-star potential. The Lakers would have to clear some cap room to try and sign James, but Julius Randle and Brook Lopez are on expiring contracts, which could open up money for the Lakers to sign LeBron and possibly another all-star (Paul George?). The Lakers would certainly be an intriguing destination for LeBron, as the team is close to contending, and LeBron could be the final piece in the puzzle for the Lakers. L.A. also makes sense for LeBron for his future, as he has expressed interest in pursuing an acting career after hanging up his shoes, and what better place to start an acting career then in the entertainment capital of the world?

The Case for the 76ers: The pitch the 76ers will make to James is simple: They want him to speed up the process. The 76ers’ long and painful rebuild is finally coming to an end, as Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons showed how dangerous they could be when healthy this season, and combining that with the talent of LeBron would easily transform the 76ers into a bonafide NBA dynasty for years to come. Not only would this team be phenomenal, but they would be the league’s top attraction. The exuberant personality of Embiid, coupled with the wisdom and comedy of LeBron, would make 76ers’ games a can’t-miss show. Out of all the options that LeBron will have this offseason, this may be the most interesting and intriguing of them all.

The Case for the Cavs: Finish what you started, Cleveland. The Cavs are not the same team as they were before they traded Kyrie Irving, but that does not mean they can return to their former glory. If the Cavs were to add another premier talent (Demarcus
Cousins or Kawhi Leonard), they would be right back where they were two years ago when they won the title. LeBron will certainly have to take a long look at what the Cavs have to offer, but the addition of another star would take plenty of burden off of LeBron’s
shoulders, and it would certainly entice him to remain in the city where he grew up.

Although these teams are considered the favorites for the King, it does not guarantee that he will sign with one of them. The opportunity to play at Madison Square Garden on a nightly basis, or the possibility of joining one of the league’s best young talents in
Giannis Antetokounmpo will be on his mind this offseason and could impact his decision, but it is very unlikely that LeBron will end up in either New York or Milwaukee. In the end, “The Decision 2.0” will be one of the biggest news stories of the summer, and considering the number of options LeBron has, no one knows for sure where he will end up and how it could shake up the entire NBA landscape.