NBA Free Agent Rumors: 11 reasons why LeBron James should sign with Sixers over Los Angeles Lakers, Houston ...

Posted June 30, 2018 at 05:30 AM | Updated June 30, 2018 at 05:30 AM

By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

NBA free agency is finally here, which means it is time for the biggest question in sports right now to be answered -- where is LeBron James going to play next season.

If he is smart, his search will result in him joining the Sixers.

Here is why James should join Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and the Sixers over teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.

LeBron James

Eric Gay | AP PHOTO

Why the Lakers don't make sense

Let's start with the Los Angeles Lakers, a team that James has been linked to since last offseason. The Lakers have three main selling points to James.

First, they are in Los Angeles, which would allow James to continue building his off-the-court empire in one of the biggest media cities in the world.

Second, they have some young pieces, including Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle. Finally, the Lakers have enough cap space to sign two max players -- meaning James could bring a player like Paul George to Los Angeles with him.

The issue? Even with James, George and the Lakers' young talent, it is tough to see the Lakers beating either the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets next season -- not to mention any team that were to come out of the Eastern Conference.

A move to Los Angeles likely kills any shot James has of winning another ring.

Why the Rockets don't make sense

If the Rockets could simply add James to their roster, joining Houston would be close to a no-brainer for James. He would get to join one of the best teams in the league and play with one of his best friends in Chris Paul.

The issue?

It is going to be tough for Houston to make it work without gutting their roster.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor does a good job explaining the complex situation:

Their cap situation makes it impossible for the Rockets to sign LeBron, re-sign Paul and Clint Capela to max deals, and bring back Trevor Ariza. James and Paul would have to work out discount shenanigans to make it work, which seems improbable. LeBron hasn’t taken less than the max since leaving Miami, and Paul agreeing to take less money as the NBPA president would be a lousy look.

James could force a sign-and-trade to the Rockets, but the Rockets would likely have to include Eric Gordon to make it work, which would be a blow to the team's roster.

It is possible a combination of Harden, James and Paul could win a title, but the chances of it happening seem very slim.

Why staying with the Cavaliers doesn't make sense

Of course, James has the option to stay in Cleveland, his hometown team.

James tying the final years of his career to the Cavaliers, however, would be foolish.

The Cavaliers roster is terrible and their is no sign of it getting better anytime soon. No premier player is going to sign up to play in Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers don't have the cap space to sign one anyway. James is the best player in the league, but he still needs help, and that help simply isn't in Cleveland and won't be coming anytime soon.

James could decide to stay in Cleveland just to end his career there, but staying in Cleveland is giving up on the dream of adding more rings to his resume.

A lack of other quality options

James could realistically play for any team he wants, but there aren't many other quality options out there for him to choose from.

Adding James to any roster is going to require a ton of cap space, a roster that will still be solid once James is added and at least one other superstar in the fold. There simply aren't many situations like that.

Except, of course, the Sixers.

Here is why the Sixers make the most sense for James:

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