Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 20 best players available

By Micah Wimmer

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts in the first half against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

1. LeBron James

Still the greatest player in the league, LeBron James will automatically transform whatever team he signs with this offseason into a title contender. Even after his 15th season in the league, as his peers retire or are only able to show occasional glimpses of their previous heights, LeBron shows the nightly ability to take over any game he plays in, any situation he finds himself in. Regardless of all other draft and free agency news, where LeBron will end up is inevitably going to be the dominant storyline in the NBA until he announces his decision, and justifiably so. I really don’t need to run over LeBron’s resume with you, but he has made the NBA Finals eight consecutive years, winning three championships in that time span. He is also a four-time MVP, who arguably would have more than that, if not for voter fatigue.

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Last season was one of LeBron’s most impressive yet – at least in terms of raw numbers, especially when considering his mileage – as he averaged career highs in both rebounds and assists per game, while also playing 82 games for the first time in his career. And while he has earned a well-deserved reputation as one who occasionally takes plays off, and for not being remotely as engaged defensively as he has been in the past, he is still able to turn it on in the Playoffs when it is most necessary. He showed this quite recently, as even though the Cavaliers were swept by the Warriors in the Finals, LeBron still managed to lead all playoff performers in points per game, PER, and Win Shares per 48, among several other statistics.

While an eventual comedown from his unbelievable heights, whether due to injury or the slow encroachment of age, is inevitable, it still appears far from imminent.

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