2018-19 NBA Picks and Predictions – Where will LeBron James Play in 2018-19? The 2017-18 NBA season isn’t officially over, but that’s only because the rules dictate that the Golden State Warriors have to beat the Cavaliers four times before they can be called champions. Assuming the Warriors remember to come to the arena for at least one more game, they are going to win back-to-back titles and beat the Cavaliers for the third time in the last four NBA Finals.
Attention will then turn to the offseason, and the biggest question is where LeBron James will be playing next year. If history tells us anything, it is that we may have to wait a while before James makes a decision. In the meantime, here is how I rank the potential landing spots.
2018-19 NBA Picks and Predictions: Where will LeBron James Play in 2018-19?
Top Bet
Philadelphia 76ers (+350)
Philadelphia would provide James with what he desperately needs, a young, athletic supporting cast with a couple of All-Star-caliber running mates in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. It would also keep him in the Eastern Conference, which would essentially be a two-horse race between the LeBron-led 76ers and the Boston Celtics. The path of least resistance always has a lot of appeal. One other thing to consider is that James would still be taking his new team to the next level. He wouldn’t be joining a team that was already on the cusp of a title. He made Cleveland a contender, he made Miami a contender, and he would make Philadelphia a contender. Don’t tell me he doesn’t think about the optics on how any move will look on his legacy.
Other Top Options I’d Consider
Cleveland Cavaliers (+350)
Another season is going to end with a loss to the Golden State Warriors, and Cleveland’s roster is such a financial mess that there is just no way that the Cavaliers are going to be able to amass the firepower to compete. However, if James doesn’t feel that there is another team out there that will let him compete, I could see him deciding to stay in Cleveland. Carrying an undermanned Cavaliers team to another finals loss won’t help his legacy, but jumping ship again and still failing will look even worse.
Los Angeles Lakers (+350)
If LeBron wants to make one last push to bolster an already incredible career, simultaneously winning a title and resurrecting the Lakers franchise in the process would certainly carry a lot of weight. With the Lakers possessing some young, intriguing assets and enough cap room to bring in James and another star, I could see a deal coming together. On the other hand, Philadelphia’s young players are better, and the Western Conference is deeper.
The Sleeper
San Antonio Spurs (+1200)
Of all the longshots, San Antonio is the team that I’d consider taking a chance on. Fitting into the San Antonio system would be an adjustment, but in the long run, it may extend his career and allow him to be at his best in the playoffs because of how the Spurs handle minutes. He’d also team with Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge, so he’d a strong supporting cast to go with one of the best coaches of all time. I’m just not sure LeBron will be willing to swallow his ego.
Bad Bet
Houston Rockets (+140)
The current betting favorite happens to be my least favorite option and not just because of the minimal payout opportunity. Yes, the Rockets came within a Chris Paul injury of likely knocking off the Golden State Warriors, but finding the chemistry with three ball-dominant players won’t be easy. More importantly, these little injuries that keep nagging Paul probably aren’t going to get better as he gets older. I don’t see James wanting a repeat of his last years in Miami when Dwyane Wade just couldn’t stay healthy, forcing James to play a ton of minutes. I’m not buying LeBron to Houston.
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