Breaking Down the LeBron Free Agency

The LeBron James free agency is the biggest story in sports. The biggest superstar in all of sports is, for the first time, on the market. 

For the first time in his life LBJ is being recruited. Jumping straight from high school to the number one pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, LeBron James quickly became the biggest star since Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. 

Since his free agency is the big topic, I thought I would break down the hand-full of teams that have a possibility of landing "The King."

In any logical world there are only five possible teams LBJ can play for: the Cavs, the Bulls, the Clippers, the Knicks or the Nets. Sorry to all you Mavs fans who think he is Dallas bound; it just wont happen. 

Let's explore the options LeBron has before him. 

The Bulls

Well, we all know about the Bulls. Whether we watch basketball or not, the Chicago Bulls are huge. They have a group of young stars including Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah. Not only would LBJ be moving to a much bigger media market in Chicago, but to a town with much more basketball history.

One problem. Chicago is MJ's town. The stadium is MJ's building. The Bull is MJ's. Surely LeBron wants his own legacy, in his own city; close to home. 

The Clippers

The only team in the Western Conference that has a chance to land the forward. In LA, LeBron could become a Hollywood icon. Aside from playing with young star Blake Griffin, the King could enjoy the glamour and lush life of a Los Angeles celebrity.

The question Lebron will be asking himself is, "can this team be a championship contender in 2011?" If the answer to that question is no, there is no chance he goes. And to me, that answer is indeed, no. 

The Knicks

The Knicks seem to be the front-runners in the LeBron bidding. They have the biggest market, the biggest amount of money and a lush basketball history that has left a tired crowd of 10 million plus fans hungry for a championship and a superstar. Everything seems to point LeBron to the New York Knicks.

The problem, however, is the same as it is in LA. The supporting cast isn't there. LBJ claims to be a winner. He claims to want championships more than anything. If this is true, the New York Knicks, like the Clippers, are not a good fit. 

The Nets

The only way LeBron goes to the Nets is if they move to Brooklyn and spend an astronomical amount of cash. With new Russian owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, the New Jersey Nets have enough cash to buy tow or three big names to complement Devin Harris, Brook Lopez, and the number three pick in the 2010 draft.

The Nets have far from a competitive supporting cast to help LeBron win a championship, but having the 13th richest man in the world as your owner can't hurt.

The Cavs

Cleveland is only a short drive away from the town Lebron James has called home his entire life. Growing up in Akron, Ohio, LBJ has never really left home. So does LBJ stay loyal to his native Ohio or does he finally leave and explore his options?

There are many incentives to stay: a familiar and growing supporting cast, a fresh new coach, a fan base that adores him and a chance to finish something he started seven years ago; build the Cleveland Cavaliers into a championship team.

I believe LeBron wants to finish what he started and win in Cleveland. It seems that if he is a genuine winner he would stay. If he goes to a team like New York, he obviously is living for the money and the brand. If he wants to be the best, he needs rings. Something he needs to stay in Cleveland to get.

What does everybody think about it?