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NBA Rumors: 5 free agent destinations for LeBron James

By Rucker Haringey

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 95-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Wells Fargo Center. The Cleveland Cavaliers won 95-85. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shakes hands with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Warriors won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 16, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shakes hands with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the fourth quarter of game six of the NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena. Warriors won 105-97. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

41. . Pacific Division. Western Conference. Golden State Warriors. 1. player

If you can’t beat them, join them. That’s exactly what LeBron would be doing if he left Cleveland to relocate to the Bay Area.

Much has been written about the possibility of Kevin Durant landing in Golden State, but LeBron might be just as good a fit. He could replace Harrison Barnes in their starting five alongside Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and either Andrew Bogut or Festus Ezeli. That starting five is the stuff of nightmares for Golden State’s NBA competitors.

The downside would be an ultimate stain on LeBron’s legacy. If he “sold out” and went to the Warriors then many fans would never forgive him. It wouldn’t be hatred based on him leaving Cleveland a second time, it would be the perception that he always took the easy way out to win a championship. That might seem like a silly notion to some, but the sentiment would be very real in the minds of many fans.

If his goal is to win as many NBA titles as possible, Golden State is the right location. They are set up to contend for years to come with our without his presence. Adding him to one of the greatest teams of all-time would give them an opportunity to cement their legacy as the best team in NBA history.

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