When LeBron James joined the Miami Heat in 2010, he brought Chris Bosh with him to a team that already had Dwyane Wade. In 2014, his return to the Cleveland Cavaliers was swiftly followed by a blockbuster trade for Kevin Love. He was willing to be a bit more patient with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. It took them a whole year to acquire Anthony Davis, with whom he happened to share an agent.
For most of his career, teams have been willing and even eager to move heaven and Earth in order to employ James. In all three cases, it was worth it. Each of those teams won championships. James in his prime was so singularly valuable that you could argue that a team should be willing to do anything in order to convince him to play for them.
James, now 41 and entering his 24th NBA season, isn’t that good anymore. Instead of being a championship-guaranteeing force, he is merely an All-Star-caliber player in his 40s who can lift any roster, but not fully carry one. Under most circumstances, acquiring such a player is desirable, but only under responsible circumstances. You’d love to have him, but heaven and Earth can sit tight. At best, you’re moving a continent.
But James’ 2026 free agency does not represent normal circumstances. By all accounts, he is not making a decision based on money. In theory, that makes him gettable for the minimum. Even now, at this stage of his career, James at the minimum would be perhaps the greatest, immediately apparent value contract in the history of free agency.
Rich Paul breaks down LeBron James’ free agency: What The King’s agent said about 10 teams in the hunt
Robby Kalland
Rich Paul breaks down LeBron James’ free agency: What The King’s agent said about 10 teams in the hunt
The Sporting News’ Stephen Noh has a salary projection model based on DARKO DPM, the all-in-one metric. Last season, it valued James at $28.2 million, and that doesn’t factor in his ability to scale up in high-leverage playoff games. His minimum salary as a 10-year veteran would be $3.9 million, but it would count against the cap only for $2.5 million, the minimum salary for a two-year veteran. NBA finances have never been tighter. A $25 million surplus on a single player in the apron era is a genuinely season-altering boon. If your goal is to win the 2027 championship, getting such a surplus is suddenly worth moving heaven and Earth again.
The Philadelphia 76ers struck first. They acquired Jaylen Brown on Wednesday, and while that move was not made specifically with James in mind, it may just get them a seat at the table. The 76ers are reportedly pursuing James now, and getting Brown probably won’t hurt their chances.
Most of the major business of the offseason is done. Brown, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kawhi Leonard, the three biggest names believed to be available, have all moved. But the chance to lure one star player can lead to surprising moves to get another. Nobody thought Paul George was moving in 2019. Leonard’s availability compelled the Los Angeles Clippers to go all-in for him.
So with James sitting on the market, are there moves some of the interested parties can pursue to potentially entice James? Before you ask, we’re not considering Bronny James here. I’m assuming the Lakers either view him as a legitimate prospect and won’t move him. Or they don’t. In that case, acquiring him is just table stakes and is probably doable at a trivial price. We’ll start with superstars and work our way down.
Can anyone get Anthony Davis?
I know what the reporting is saying. The Washington Wizards are batting away all trade suitors. They want to keep Anthony Davis! They’re even hinting at extending him. I don’t doubt that this is indeed what they are telling the world. I absolutely doubt that they mean it.
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