Just a few days ago, ESPN's Shams Charania suggested there were six teams in the mix for LeBron James. Apparently, the sweepstakes for the NBA's all-time leading scorer have turned into a three-team race.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers have been mentioned as suitors for James. It's pretty evident there's serious interest around the league for James even at the age of 41.
With that being said, Charania claims the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers have emerged as the top options for James.
"When I talk to teams now I have a hierarchy of Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia, and then some teams on the peripheral," Charania told ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith.
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Charania claims the 76ers have really helped out their stock by acquiring All-Star swingman Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Boston Celtics.
"When the Sixers got Jaylen Brown... [LeBron James is] taking their pitch really seriously. I look at it, when I talk to teams now, as kind of a hierarchy of Cleveland, Miami, Philadelphia."
It makes sense that Brown's presence alone makes the 76ers more attractive to James. He's coming off a season with the Celtics where he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Don't rule out a return to Cleveland.
While on ESPN Cleveland this Tuesday afternoon, Brian Windhorst suggested the Cavaliers are still the favorites to land James. However, no one truly knows where the four-time MVP will end up.
"People in the league think that it's pointing towards Cleveland. But they are operating off vibes," Windhorst said. "And if you ask me, 'Are the vibes pointing towards Cleveland?' Yeah, the vibes are pointing towards Cleveland. But it's just vibes."
Will the Akron native’s career end with one last stint on the Cavaliers? It's possible, but we can't rule out the Heat and 76ers making the most appealing offer to James
