The King LeBron James bids to spend one more year in which is likely to be his final year in the NBA after opting into his $52 million player option extension to spend one more year in LA, but LeBron's very own ‘Last Dance’ may not be spent with the Lakers, championship glory being his final quest, and his priority heading into his last year. Both LA and LeBron will keep their mouths shut, but it wont stop chatter and excitement from spreading around the league, and two destinations stand out more than most for the league legend.
Penning himself down for one more year in the league, shutting down all rumours surrounding his retirement means another year of enjoyment from a still elite talent like LeBron, but it may not be in the purple and gold of the LA Lakers. Disney like reunions like a return to Cleveland have been spoken about, moves across the coast to Boston have been brought up, but in reality, there are only a couple of spots that make sense for his last season, and it is wherever he feels he has the best chance. Could it be the blue and orange of the Knicks? Or reuniting with Kyrie in Dallas? Who knows? But it could definitely be one of the two.
Although the Mavericks had the number one pick in the draft and have secured generational talent Cooper Flagg, they are nowhere near the bottom of the standings, and with a stacked team heading into the season, moving some pieces and picks around could be enough to bring Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and LeBron together to go for an epic championship charge for his final year. Although teams like Cleveland make sense, and is a storybook ending to his career, Dallas is much more attractive to a guy like LeBron who may not only be tempted by the tax free element, but the team on show is more than good enough to go all the way. Dallas are also one of those teams who could easily move some pieces around to clear the cap and bring an asset like LeBron without making any major moves like the have done before (Luka Doncic, Owch), but would be a ideal place for LeBron, and would be an easy risk free move for general manager Nico Harrison. If LeBron was really serious about taking a year away, and suiting up in a new jersey, a jersey which could lead him to one last championship, Dallas is an option which shows only green flags to James, and is one to keep on the radar this offseason.
But, Dallas wont go without competition. New York, those pesky Knicks, the place LeBron said he could once play 82 games a season, the place where every athlete wants to call home, Madison Square Garden. Now this could tempt a player worthy of the term ‘King’. A place where Kings are crowned (Not recently, Owch X2), and where players' dreams come true, a place where LeBron just fits in perfectly. Much like Dallas, New York already have a great core, and have some easily movable players and draft capital which wouldn't put the team in a bad spot, and would definitely be a solid sacrifice which could bring James to the Big Apple. Players like OG Anunoby may be on the chopping block, but a place like New York to end it off for James, a place where winning a championship would mean everything to the city and the people, and a place where not only his name would go down as a legend, but a place where the memory would never be forgotten, and that alone could be enough to tempt James had the opportunity arise. It is definitely an interesting situation.
Both are definitely within the top five destinations which not only suit him, but are more likely than others to land him. They both made sense in terms of trades and sacrifice, and it makes sense in their current situations. But what will the King prefer? A year of childhood dreams coming true, or a year of reunions and championship drive?
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