Warriors, Cavaliers predicted to emerge as finalists for $101 million ex-Lakers star

Warriors, Cavaliers predicted to emerge as finalists for $101 million ex-Lakers star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There’s no question that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors are in the market for a star to pair with their respective No.1 scoring options (Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell, Warriors: Stephen Curry). 

Luckily for both organizations, several NBA executives are under the impression that the tight five-team race for a 41-year-old Los Angeles Lakers star will ultimately come down to Cleveland and Golden State. 

“Multiple Western Conference executives told Front Office Sports they expect (LeBron) James to sign with the Warriors over the Cavaliers for his 24th NBA season,” Front Office Sports’ Alex Schiffer wrote Monday.

“While Cleveland has been the favorite on prediction markets—and Bill Simmons said the move was a ‘done deal’—some executives believe Golden State is still a real player for James’s services.”

“While another league source expects James to sign with the Cavaliers, the consensus among executives polled by FOS is that James will likely pick between the Warriors and Cavaliers. ‘I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn’t Golden State or Cleveland,” a Western Conference executive said.

For the Cavaliers, it’s as simple as James returning to his first NBA home and closing out his otherworldly career in style. 

With Mitchell and James Harden (who’s expected to re-sign with the franchise) making up one of the best backcourt duos, and the Cavaliers boasting an established frontcourt tandem in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, who’s to say that adding James to the equation won’t help put the 2016 NBA champions over the top?

As for the Warriors, teaming up with Stephen Curry would be a dream come true for James from a floor spacing vantage point, as he would get to play alongside a contributor who’s no stranger to drilling high, difficult perimeter jumpers.

Opponents would have no choice but to slide over and help when James barrels through the lane, allowing the four-time MVP to find Curry in drive-and-kick situations regularly.

It’ll be fascinating to see who James elects to spend what could be his final season with in the next week or so.

More NBA news:

• 76ers officially beat out Lakers, Spurs for $38 million ex-Cavaliers elite defender

• Celtics officially sign $295 million ex-Jazz All-Star guard to help Jayson Tatum

• Knicks officially outduel Lakers for historic 6-foot-5 playoff hero, NBA champion