The Six Most Fascinating LeBron James Scenarios This Offseason

We are about to embark on the LeBron James portion of the off-season, where the GOAT candidate must have just one goal:

Be like Tom, not like Mike.

OK, maybe that’s two goals.

One of the few blemishes on Michael Jordan’s record is how it ended. After a near-perfect career with the Bulls, he decided – after striking out in baseball – that he could be a savior for the Wizards.

He was such a flop – the Wizards lost 90 games and never sniffed the playoffs in Jordan’s two seasons – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar re-entered the conversation of basketball’s GOAT.

The opposite happened when Tom Brady made a similar move from the Patriots, another dynasty team, to the Buccaneers. Credit Brady’s brains for overpowering his ego.

When Brady went south, it wasn’t as an I-can-do-it-all-myself solo act. He talked Rob Gronkowski into coming along, then piloted Tampa Bay to 32 wins, three postseason appearances and a Super Bowl victory in three seasons – 15 more wins, three more playoff berths and one more Super Bowl trophy than the long-forgotten franchise had the previous three years.

And just like that … Joe who?

LeBron is at the same point in his career. Without question, Jordan is the leader in the clubhouse in the current GOAT standings, but LeBron is standing on the 18th tee, needing an eagle to at least force a tie-breaker.

He’s got the power to do it.

Oh, it’s complicated, what with LeBron having to decide whether or not to opt out on $50.6 million, the Lakers possibly being forced to consider sign-and-trade options, and, of course, the future of Bronny.

But you gotta know LeBron has given it a whole lot of thought.

The way I see it, here are his six options …

Shock the World: Save the Wizards

If LeBron is going to pass Jordan in the GOAT race, he’s going to have to better him in at least one more key category.

Even winning two more titles would just tie Jordan, so let’s consider a different direction. Imagine LeBron going to Washington and -- in a head-to-head, so to speak -- accomplishing something Jordan couldn’t: Improbably leading the NBA's worst team to the playoffs a time or two. He’s worked alongside Anthony Davis before. It would be bold, but that’s what separates the GOATs from the billies.

Remain With the Lakers

Frankly, this isn’t going to get him anywhere, and he’s got to realize that.

Western teams are going to have to vastly improve to hang with the Thunder and Spurs in the coming years, and the Lakers have little means of doing that. And even if they did capture lightning in a bottle, the success is more likely to go on Luka Doncic’s resume than LeBron’s.

Enjoy Another Cleveland Homecoming

This makes the most sense for LeBron, but you have to wonder what the Cavaliers are thinking. They seem pretty set on moving forward with their current Core Four.

But if it were to happen … it would be the equivalent of Joe Montana returning to the 49ers and guiding them to another Super Bowl title or two. Brady would be history – not in a historic way.

Take His Talents to South Beach (Again)

LeBron is criticized for playing GM and turning the Heat into a superpower last decade. Only he could win two more titles in Miami and lose GOAT votes.

Sorry, Pat.

Join Wemby and the Spurs

One of the head-scratchers of the NBA Finals is how little Victor Wembanyama hangs around the offensive hoop. He is looking more and more like Giannis Antetokounmpo by the possession, and that’s not a good thing.

LeBron would fit perfectly, both as an enforcer Wemby desperately lacks and a strong voice to remind the inexperienced coach about 10 times a game that his unstoppable force is standing 30 feet from the hoop. And the Spurs even have the assets to entice the Lakers into a sign-and-trade, which would make LeBron richer.

Extend the Golden State Dynasty

One thing missing from LeBron’s resume is a dynasty. All GOATs have them – Jordan with the Bulls, Brady with the Patriots, Shohei Ohtani soon with the Dodgers. But not LeBron.

Here’s his chance. LeBron likely would have to recruit a friend of two to create another powerhouse, but some pieces are in place and a dynasty (think fifth title in 13 years, maybe a sixth in 14 years) still peripherally exists to build upon.

The sun is setting on the 18th at Pebble Beach. LeBron has driver in hand. Stay tuned.