6 Teams that could steal LeBron James from the Lakers next summer

By Nick Halden | Aug 14, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter at Staples Center on October 29, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

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4. Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets will have room to sign a max player next offseason and have the marketing advantage of a young player in LaMelo Ball. Ball is dynamic and simply needs a veteran piece or two around him to push the Hornets to take that next step.

If Charlotte can find a way to offload one or both of Terry Rozier and Gordon Hayward they will suddenly be a prize-free agent landing spot. A team with a dynamic young star that can carry a team and has the potential to open up cap space to bring in another star alongside James and Ball is far too exciting to ignore.

This is a fit for the exact same reasons that Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks are. However, the Hornets have the advantage of being able to offer LeBron a max contract without making any major moves. However, on the flip side, they can only offer LeBron one star player to pair with while the Hawks potentially have two.

LaMelo has the ability to carry a team and keep an aging LeBron rested and ready for the playoffs when he can do the heavy lifting in a wide-open Eastern Conference. It makes a level of sense as the roster is currently constructed, get rid of Hayward’s contract and suddenly it will become one of the prime destinations of the 2023 offseason.