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Sounds like LeBron James is looking for the Los Angeles Lakers to make the first move.
“The LeBron side, from what I’ve been told, would like the Lakers to come and say, ‘LeBron, here’s our plan for you and here’s what we are offering and if they’re offering less than the max, here’s why because we’re going to use this cap space to sign these players and this is where you slide in,” said ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, on Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective episode that posted on YouTube May 27.
The max offer the 41-year-old James can get for one season is $58 million, which is 35% of the league’s salary cap.
He's an unrestricted free agent after playing his NBA-record 23rd season. James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games in the 2025-26 season (career-low 33.2 minutes a game).
The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Lakers in the second round of the 2026 playoffs.
Windhorst later said if James is willing to play for the veteran minimum, then he could go to the Golden State Warriors or return to the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers. The veteran minimum for one year for James is $3.9 million.
It's hard to see James getting the max from teams with the cap space to pull that off, but also hard to imagine him playing for the vet minimum.
Should the Phoenix Suns be on that short list for the vet minimum, too? The chances of James coming to Phoenix should be very slim to none.
Playing for a fifth NBA championships is the biggest reason James should sign up for a 24th season. He’ll turn 42 on Dec. 30.
The Suns are building with young talent and far from being a title contender.
Still, let’s have some fun with this. Here are five reasons why the Suns would be an intriguing landing spot for James.
The Suns placed an emphasis on playing fast, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition in their first season under Jordan Ott. Their halfcourt offense was at times stagnant, particularly in late-game situations that led to some close losses.
James, in a playmaker role, can help the Suns finish better in the halfcourt.
As improved as Devin Booker is in creating offense for others, Phoenix needs to revisit a time when the franchise’s all-time leading scorer looked to score first, pass second.
The Suns have shooters, a slasher in Jalen Green and big men who can finish at the rim off lobs. James could average 10-plus assists, a feat he’s only achieved once in his career when leading the NBA in dimes per game at 10.2 in 2019-20.
The Lakers won an NBA title that season in the bubble.
Ott served two seasons (2022-24) as an assistant with the Lakers. He has an understanding of what James can do at this stage of his career.
Ott can also tap into James’ vast basketball IQ and run offensive sets that have more cutting and movement off the ball that leads to layups and open shots.
James won Olympic gold with Booker in 2024 in Paris and played one season with Jordan Goodwin in Los Angeles in 2024-25.
Then there’s Dillon Brooks. It’d be crazy for Brooks and James to be teammates after years of beefing, but not out of the question.
Brooks and Booker connected after having their share of battles as opponents. They put their past differences aside. Brooks is one of those, 'hate him if he’s on the other team, love him if he’s your teammate,' guys. He and James can mend fences, too.
Ott could start Booker, Green, Brooks, James and Mark Williams, a restricted free agent.
James and his oldest son, Bronny James, have been teammates for the last two seasons, making history.
Not sure if Bronny James will have a 10-year NBA career, but playing alongside his father had to be special, regardless of some seeing it as a novelty.
They could make father-son history again by playing against each other.
LeBron James is guaranteed four visits to Los Angeles to face the Lakers twice and the Clippers twice.
Talk about must-see TV. LeBron vs. Luka Doncic, Lakers.
Chris Paul made it work with his family in Los Angeles while playing in Phoenix. James can do the same thing. It's an hour flight from Phoenix to L.A.
Then there’s Bryce James, who redshirted his first year at the University of Arizona. A little under two-hour drive from Phoenix to Tucson, LeBron James can visit his son and see him play.
Cleveland and Miami should be options for James.
Back in his home state of Ohio, he could be the missing piece for the Cavs, who the New York Knicks swept in the Eastern Conference finals. He’d have a chance to end his career where it began. Storybook.
Back in the Sunshine State, where he won back-to-back NBA titles, could work as well. But Miami needs more help than Cleveland, so isn’t it time for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat to finally get together?
And shouldn’t James go somewhere new?
Pairing up with Stephen Curry in Golden State would be crazy. Talking about all-time greats whose games complement each other looking to create championship magic in the twilight of their careers.
Or, come to Phoenix and help a young team take another step.
The Suns are far from being a championship contender, especially since the San Antonio Spurs and Thunder aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, but having a chance to play with a young, hungry team could appeal to the competitive side of James.
Suns rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming are under Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports Group along with James.
Suns team owner Mat Ishbia and Rich Paul have a relationship.
Brooks’ agents are Mike George and Shayaun Saee of One Legacy Sports Management, which is also affiliated with United Talent and Klutch Sports.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why Phoenix Suns would be intriguing team for LeBron James
Continue reading...
“The LeBron side, from what I’ve been told, would like the Lakers to come and say, ‘LeBron, here’s our plan for you and here’s what we are offering and if they’re offering less than the max, here’s why because we’re going to use this cap space to sign these players and this is where you slide in,” said ESPN NBA Insider Brian Windhorst, on Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective episode that posted on YouTube May 27.
The max offer the 41-year-old James can get for one season is $58 million, which is 35% of the league’s salary cap.
He's an unrestricted free agent after playing his NBA-record 23rd season. James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games in the 2025-26 season (career-low 33.2 minutes a game).
The defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Lakers in the second round of the 2026 playoffs.
Windhorst later said if James is willing to play for the veteran minimum, then he could go to the Golden State Warriors or return to the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers. The veteran minimum for one year for James is $3.9 million.
It's hard to see James getting the max from teams with the cap space to pull that off, but also hard to imagine him playing for the vet minimum.
Should the Phoenix Suns be on that short list for the vet minimum, too? The chances of James coming to Phoenix should be very slim to none.
You must be registered for see images attach
Playing for a fifth NBA championships is the biggest reason James should sign up for a 24th season. He’ll turn 42 on Dec. 30.
The Suns are building with young talent and far from being a title contender.
Still, let’s have some fun with this. Here are five reasons why the Suns would be an intriguing landing spot for James.
Help close in halfcourt, free up Booker
The Suns placed an emphasis on playing fast, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition in their first season under Jordan Ott. Their halfcourt offense was at times stagnant, particularly in late-game situations that led to some close losses.
You must be registered for see images attach
James, in a playmaker role, can help the Suns finish better in the halfcourt.
As improved as Devin Booker is in creating offense for others, Phoenix needs to revisit a time when the franchise’s all-time leading scorer looked to score first, pass second.
The Suns have shooters, a slasher in Jalen Green and big men who can finish at the rim off lobs. James could average 10-plus assists, a feat he’s only achieved once in his career when leading the NBA in dimes per game at 10.2 in 2019-20.
The Lakers won an NBA title that season in the bubble.
Familiarity with Ott and Booker, teaming with Brooks
Ott served two seasons (2022-24) as an assistant with the Lakers. He has an understanding of what James can do at this stage of his career.
Ott can also tap into James’ vast basketball IQ and run offensive sets that have more cutting and movement off the ball that leads to layups and open shots.
You must be registered for see images
James won Olympic gold with Booker in 2024 in Paris and played one season with Jordan Goodwin in Los Angeles in 2024-25.
Then there’s Dillon Brooks. It’d be crazy for Brooks and James to be teammates after years of beefing, but not out of the question.
Brooks and Booker connected after having their share of battles as opponents. They put their past differences aside. Brooks is one of those, 'hate him if he’s on the other team, love him if he’s your teammate,' guys. He and James can mend fences, too.
Ott could start Booker, Green, Brooks, James and Mark Williams, a restricted free agent.
Close to sons, family
James and his oldest son, Bronny James, have been teammates for the last two seasons, making history.
Not sure if Bronny James will have a 10-year NBA career, but playing alongside his father had to be special, regardless of some seeing it as a novelty.
They could make father-son history again by playing against each other.
You must be registered for see images attach
LeBron James is guaranteed four visits to Los Angeles to face the Lakers twice and the Clippers twice.
Talk about must-see TV. LeBron vs. Luka Doncic, Lakers.
Chris Paul made it work with his family in Los Angeles while playing in Phoenix. James can do the same thing. It's an hour flight from Phoenix to L.A.
Then there’s Bryce James, who redshirted his first year at the University of Arizona. A little under two-hour drive from Phoenix to Tucson, LeBron James can visit his son and see him play.
You must be registered for see images
Returning to Heat or Cavs too predictable
Cleveland and Miami should be options for James.
Back in his home state of Ohio, he could be the missing piece for the Cavs, who the New York Knicks swept in the Eastern Conference finals. He’d have a chance to end his career where it began. Storybook.
Back in the Sunshine State, where he won back-to-back NBA titles, could work as well. But Miami needs more help than Cleveland, so isn’t it time for Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Heat to finally get together?
You must be registered for see images
And shouldn’t James go somewhere new?
Pairing up with Stephen Curry in Golden State would be crazy. Talking about all-time greats whose games complement each other looking to create championship magic in the twilight of their careers.
You must be registered for see images
Or, come to Phoenix and help a young team take another step.
The Suns are far from being a championship contender, especially since the San Antonio Spurs and Thunder aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, but having a chance to play with a young, hungry team could appeal to the competitive side of James.
Agent ties
Suns rookies Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming are under Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports Group along with James.
Suns team owner Mat Ishbia and Rich Paul have a relationship.
Brooks’ agents are Mike George and Shayaun Saee of One Legacy Sports Management, which is also affiliated with United Talent and Klutch Sports.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why Phoenix Suns would be intriguing team for LeBron James
Continue reading...
