LeBron James is about to pick his team for his 24th NBA season, and while everyone will be buzzing about where the King lands, the real drama might be what happens to the teams he *doesn't* pick. Even at 41 years old, the league's all-time leading scorer is still playing at an elite level, and his choice means a championship step closer for his new squad. But for those left at the altar, history tells us it's gonna be a rough ride.
LeBron's Fallout Is Real for Teams That Miss Out
We've seen this movie before, right? Back in 2010, when James joined the Miami Heat, they snagged two titles. The Cleveland Cavaliers, New York Knicks, and Chicago Bulls? They didn't even sniff the NBA Finals. Then in 2014, when he bounced back to Cleveland, the Cavs won a title while Miami spent six years clawing their way back to the Finals. And when he dipped from the Cavs again in 2018 for the Lakers, he quickly won another title in 2020. Cleveland? They've been trying to rebuild ever since, with zero Finals appearances. The dude leaves a vacuum. This time, the stakes are a little different. James is expected to take a minimum deal or a portion of the mid-level, eyeing more of a complementary role. Teams aren't holding up massive cap space for him, and some, like the Philadelphia 76ers trading for Jaylen Brown or the Minnesota Timberwolves grabbing LaMelo Ball, have already made big moves. But still, you just can't find another player at that price point who brings even remotely the same impact on winning. So, what's the backup plan for the teams that invested their hopes in him?The Cavs Are Looking for Frontcourt Help on a Shoestring
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors have been the top frontrunners, and they're the ones who'll feel the sting the most. They’ve planned their offseasons around potentially adding James. The Cavs, for example, let Dean Wade walk specifically to keep cap space open for LeBron. James Harden is also still unsigned after declining his player option, another move designed for financial flexibility in case James signed. Now, if LeBron goes elsewhere, an agreement with Harden will probably happen fast. But then the Cavs are suddenly in a bind, needing to bolster their frontcourt depth with almost no money to spend and slim pickings on the market. What a mess, right? It looks like Cleveland will be forced to fill out the rest of their roster with minimum-salary players and just try to "run it back" with what they've got. His decision is massive, and for Cleveland, Miami, and Golden State, the wait is agonizing. Whoever he snubs is going to have some serious scrambling to do.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.