Every Rumored Team's Backup Plan If They Can't Sign LeBron James In NBA Free Agency
Earlier this week, we ranked the best fits among the most heavily rumored suitors for LeBron James.
And of course, only one of those teams will actually sign him. That means at least nine others may have to scramble to complete their rosters when LeBron finally makes his decision.
Below, we'll look at all 10 of the teams we ranked. More specifically, we'll dive into how they'll scramble.
These are the best backup plans for the teams still reportedly in the mix.
New York Knicks
1 of 10
Sign Someone on the Veteran Minimum
Unlike some of the others in the mix for LeBron, the New York Knicks will actually be hurting for depth if they strike out.
They re-signed Landry Shamet and picked up a decent replacement for Mitchell Robinson in Andre Drummond, but they're still awfully thin on the wings.
And the recently waived DeMar DeRozan could be a decent answer.
DeRozan is well past his prime, and his defense and shot selection have long limited his effectiveness. But in a bench role, and when given the opportunity to attack reserves, DeRozan could be far more valuable to the Knicks than Jordan Clarkson was last season.
Dallas Mavericks
2 of 10
Focus on the Future
With all due respect to LeBron, the Dallas Mavericks don't really need him. They don't even have to worry too much about winning right now.
Cooper Flagg is entering his second season. This timeline has just started. And it might be better in the long run if the minutes LeBron would've gotten in Dallas went to younger players like Morez Johnson, Sergio de Larrea or Tarik Biberovic (the recently signed three-point specialist from FenerbahƧe).
Would it be fun to see those young guys supporting the LeBron-Kyrie Irving reunion? Probably. But it may not be what's best for Flagg (a slow build around him makes more sense), and that should be the primary consideration.
Philadelphia 76ers
3 of 10
Look For Another Backup Big
The Philadelphia 76ers already have plenty of playmaking, so missing out on that from LeBron won't necessarily be a huge deal.
It would be nice to have him as a more reliable starting 4 than Dean Wade, but the more pressing matter might actually be backup 5 minutes.
Philly did sign Ariel Hukporti this offseason, but he's almost completely untested. And the Sixers famously have one of the biggest injury question marks in league history at center.
Joel Embiid is obviously going to miss big minutes this season, and it could be important to have more than Hukporti, Adem Bona and Dominick Barlow to fill in.
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Boston Celtics
4 of 10
Stand Pat
Several of the teams reportedly still in the chase would need to create a standard roster spot to actually sign LeBron, and the Boston Celtics are among them.
They already have 15 standard deals on the books. And contrary to the public opinion in the wake of the Jaylen Brown trade, Boston is actually in pretty good shape at every position.
The Celtics are two or three solid-to-good players deep at every spot, with one superstar still on the roster in Jayson Tatum.
That should be good for another 50-plus-win season.
San Antonio Spurs
5 of 10
Stand Pat
Another team that doesn't truly need LeBron, the San Antonio Spurs have already added some veteran wisdom in the form of Tobias Harris.
And there may not be another young core in the league better suited to take off over the next few years.
San Antonio just made the NBA Finals while heavily relying on three players on rookie contracts. Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper and Stephon Castle aren't going anywhere, are absolutely going to get better and can all play together.
LeBron could help each of the young guys in different ways, but this trajectory is quickly heading up, regardless of what else happens this offseason.
Miami Heat
6 of 10
Add More Shooting
Adding LeBron makes sense, but he might actually compound the Heat's biggest problem, too.
With Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo together, shooting at the other three spots will be crucial. Without it, the offense could just feel too cramped.
While players like Andrew Wiggins and the recently signed Tim Hardaway Jr. can help on that front, it wouldn't hurt to add some more.
The players left on the market may have a hard time consistently cracking Miami's rotation, but someone like Seth Curry or Doug McDermott on the minimum wouldn't be a bad fit in a pinch.
Minnesota Timberwolves
7 of 10
Like New York, the Minnesota Timberwolves need to look for depth elsewhere if they miss out on LeBron.
There are plenty of minutes available in that rotation, particularly at the forward spots.
While Minnesota's "spending power" is limited to veteran minimums and the taxpayer mid-level exception (which starts at $6 million), they do have a little over $5 million left to commit before hitting the second apron.
Someone who could play the 3 or the 4, like Jae'Sean Tate, would make sense here. And though he's not quite as positionally versatile, the Timberwolves might be another team that could take a flyer on DeRozan.
Denver Nuggets
8 of 10
Re-Sign Peyton Watson
The Denver Nuggets might be the team most in need of LeBron.
The roster lacks playmaking beyond Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray and athleticism just about everywhere else. And while LeBron isn't as explosive as he once was, he'd still help with both issues.
Without him, Denver doesn't really have much flexibility. Like Minnesota, Denver only has the taxpayer mid-level. And they're bumping up against the second apron, too.
If they miss out on LeBron, and since most of free agency is already in the books, the Nuggets would simply be left with prioritizing Peyton Watson.
Watson is a restricted free agent, so Denver can match whatever offer sheet he signs. But there are some teams out there who can give him enough to make the Nuggets soar into second-apron territory.
The alternative, of course, is losing him for nothing. And just bleeding talent in the prime of Jokic's career would look (and would be) terrible.
Golden State Warriors
9 of 10
Trade Jimmy Butler's Expiring Contract
With or without LeBron, the Warriors are in dire need of help at just about every spot on the roster. And that's particularly tough to find when you have a $56.8 million salary on the books for someone who likely won't play a single minute.
It's easier said than done, but Golden State needs to unload the Jimmy Butler contract (which is at least expiring after this season) for anyone who can be helpful in 2026-27.
That is, unless the Warriors have decided they can't afford to push for one last title with Stephen Curry. Getting a team to take on Butler's deal would likely require more than a sales pitch on cap flexibility. Golden State would likely have to attach picks to him.
For a team that is almost certainly going to start a new era soon, that's risky.
But when you think about all Curry has done for the Warriors organization, it's hard to imagine the front office settling on, "Just go have fun out there for the last couple years." He's earned a little aggression, even if it's also foolhardy.
Cleveland Cavaliers
10 of 10
Sign a Stretch Big
He's more of a 3/4 than a 4/5, but losing Dean Wade and his willingness to launch threes from the frontcourt could be a real problem for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
LeBron's also not a great option at the 5, but he'd more than make up for what was lost when Wade signed with the Sixers.
Without him, Cleveland should target a more legitimate center, but one who can hit some threes. There's so much skill overlap between Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Having a big who can shoot, just to break up the monotony of the frontcourt, could help the offense.
And while there may not be a ton of great options left on the market, Kelly Olynyk is available and could check that box.
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