LeBron James is set to hit free agency this summer and rumors have the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and New York Knicks as potential options for him and depending on what the King does as a free agent, it could mean the Big 3 splits after their finals loss to the Spurs and that could be the story of the offseason.
James comes in after winning two straight championships and losing the chance at the third against the Spurs and now he has a major decision to make, as he could stay in Miami and keep the Big 3 together or leave to try and win somewhere else. Many expect James to remain in Miami after what he has built there with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, but some reports have other teams feeling good about their chances at getting him. James had another fantastic season with the Heat, but after this one ended without a championship there could be some major changes.
According to Pro Basketball Talk and Yahoo Sports, James and his wife love the city of Los Angeles and that could open up the Clippers or the Lakers as an option. James likely would cost too much money for both teams, but that doesn't mean they won't check up on him once he hits the market this summer and that's if he hits the market this summer. Everyone assumes that James will opt out and while there are a number of reasons he could do that, he also could stay with Miami for another season and play out his deal until next summer.
The Miami Heat are obviously the top choice to get LeBron and following that SI.com writes that the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets and Lakers also could be options. James wants to win and that is his number one priority and going to LA could mean a slight rebuild with the way they played last season, but it also would mean teaming up with Kobe Bryant, who is not always known as the best team player. The report says that the Lakers could wait and see who James wants as coach before hiring one, but James heading out west is unlikely no matter how much he loves LA.
New York is always an option, but LeBron wants to win so going to the Knicks isn't the best way to get that done and that is why many see him going back to Miami. The Chicago Bulls are an interesting option since they are coming in with Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose as their big players, but to get James they will need to make trades.