New NBA Rumors on LeBron to Steph Curry's Warriors, Kawhi's Clippers, Harden's Cavs amid Lakers Buzz

As LeBron James prepares to lead the Los Angeles Lakers into the postseason this weekend, his NBA future is hot topic of conversation with free agency looming this summer.

Per The Athletic's Dan Woike and Sam Amick, the possibility of James teaming up with Stephen Curry on the Golden State Warriors, staying in Los Angeles to join the Clippers or returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers are on the table if he decides to leave the Lakers:

"Around the league, rumors also persist that one last run in Cleveland, or a superstar Steph Curry-James duo in Golden State, are plausible possibilities as well. Per team sources, the Warriors' interest in James this summer remains serious. The Cavs, and the prospect of a goodbye tour where James' journey began, are also still widely seen by rival executives as a legitimate possibility. But in both cases, the luxury tax poses obstacles that likely mean James would have to make major financial concessions to come their way."

The Clippers' option doesn't sound as strong as the Warriors or Cavs because James would want to leave the Lakers only for a situation he believes he could "elevate it to serious championship contention", but the report did highlight James' close relationship with head coach Tyronn Lue and the ability to stay in Los Angeles as reasons it could be an appealing alternative.

Woike and Amick added that retirement "remains a possibility" for James, and that team and league sources who have spoken directly to the future Hall of Famer say he has pushed back on the idea that he would want a farewell tour, similar to what Kobe Bryant had during his final season.

One potential huge factor for all of these teams, including the Lakers, is money. The Cavs are currently projected to be over the second apron next season.

Golden State is projected to be $40 million under the second apron, but that's with only nine players under contract. Draymond Green has a $27.7 million player option that he is reportedly expected to pick up.

Per Woike and Amick, the Warriors' best potential option for James would likely be the $15 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception, but they could also be limited to the veteran minimum of $3.3 million depending on how things play out with their roster prior to free agency.

The Cavs would need to clear close to $14 million just to have the taxpayer midlevel exception of $6 million to offer James. Getting to the point where they could have the non-taxpayer midlevel available would require them to clear around $45 million from their books.

As for the Lakers' standing in all of this, Woike and Amick noted people in the organization believe James returning is still on the table. However, their top priority this offseason is going to be filling out their roster around Luka Dončić before anything else.

That will presumably also involve getting a new deal done with Austin Reaves, who can become a free agent by opting out of his current contract. He will be eligible to sign a five-year deal worth up to $241 million with Los Angeles this summer if he opts out.

James would "require patience" if he wants to stay with the Lakers because of the other business they want to get done first.

Even though James is not accustomed to playing second fiddle to anyone else, one Lakers executive did highlight how well the fit was with him, Dončić and Reaves down the stretch before the latter two suffered injuries that have left their status for the first round of the playoffs uncertain.

"It was real," the executive said of the Lakers' chemistry when they won 10 of 11 games from March 12-31.

This will mark the first time in James' career that he won't be the No. 1 free agent on the market. The last two times he was truly available, in 2010 and 2018, several teams were seemingly planning far in advance to have the chance to sign him.

James has also played on a max salary every year since 2014. Based on the options it sounds like he will consider, that probably isn't going to be available to him.

All of this is setting up what could be one of the most fascinating storylines of the summer. James has openly talked about wanting the chance to play with Curry if the opportunity presented itself.

Going back to Cleveland where he started his NBA career and led the Cavs to their first NBA title in 2015-16 would make for a potential storybook ending.

Even the Clippers, for as much of a long shot as that appears, would give James the chance to play with Kawhi Leonard to see if they can elevate the franchise back into one of the top teams in the West coming off a disappointing season.

James could also hit a moment of clarity where he decides he's satisfied with all that he has accomplished in his storied career and goes out on his own terms.

Things are never boring when James is involved, and it seems like this summer is setting up to have everyone paying close attention to what he wants to do next.