All eyes will be on LeBron James this summer, as the Cavs superstar could once again change the NBA landscape with his decision in free agency.
James has remained quiet throughout the season, insisting he will weigh all of his options when the time comes following the 2017-18 season. But it appears his list is shrinking.
MORE: Why those LeBron-to-Philly rumors are getting louder
The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor dropped a note in a piece about the Spurs revealing that James is down to four realistic options — and San Antonio didn't make the cut:
There have been whispers, mostly on social media, about whether LeBron James would consider the Spurs because of the mutual respect between James and [Gregg] Popovich, now the coach of the U.S. men’s national basketball team. But I’ve consistently heard from multiple league sources that LeBron currently has only four teams on his list: the Cavaliers, Lakers, Rockets, and 76ers.
These teams make a great deal of sense, as they each have a certain appeal for James. The Cavs represent his home and greatest triumph as an NBA player, as well as an easier path to the NBA Finals (the West is just brutal). The Lakers are a young, rising squad in a city with plenty of business and entertainment opportunities outside of basketball. The Rockets already have one of James' closest friends on the team in Chris Paul, and they are possibly the only challenger that could make the Warriors sweat in a seven-game series. The 76ers have an exciting roster led by Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons (plus whatever Markelle Fultz could eventually become once he plays), and it wouldn't take much for Philadelphia to find the max money James would want.
And there's no need to doubt whether these teams would be willing to create the cap space necessary to sign James. In his 15th season, James is averaging 26.9 points, 9.0 assists and 8.4 rebounds per game while shooting 54.3 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from 3-point range. He is the most powerful and recognizable star in the league, and his impact can extend beyond the floor to a city's economy. The short version: if LeBron wants to sign with your team, then the front office will figure it out.
Of course, James' feelings could change before the end of the season, and how the Cavs finish could largely influence his thought process. That will only make Cleveland's playoff run more fun to watch.
