LeBron James is officially on the move again. After telling the Lakers he’s done in Los Angeles, the rumor mill has kicked into overdrive. Every team with a path to a title is getting mentioned. But one of the guys who won two rings with James in Miami thinks he knows exactly where this is heading.
Mario Chalmers, the former Heat guard who played alongside James during those championship runs, sat down with DJ Siddiqi of Ratings and laid out his prediction. And honestly, it’s not the obvious choice.
Chalmers admitted the Heat would be a great fit. He said that much right away. Miami just landed Giannis Antetokounmpo in a massive offseason trade, and pairing him with Bam Adebayo and a returning LeBron would give the East a terrifying big three. Spoelstra would have to figure out the spacing with three guys who all want to operate in the paint, but Chalmers thinks that’s a solvable problem.
“I agree. I think that would definitely be a good landing spot for him, especially in a win-now situation,” Chalmers said. “It’ll definitely be interesting. But I want to see where he’s thinking, just because of what the King brings to a team at this age. He’s gonna be a spot-up shooter, another person that is gonna be wanting to be down in the paint a little bit, so it’s gonna be up to Spo to make that all work with Bam, Giannis and Bron all in the paint.”
When the conversation turned to whether Miami was James’ best shot at another ring, Chalmers didn’t disagree. He called it the ideal landing spot. But then he dropped the real take.
“Oh definitely it would be the ideal landing spot. I really think it’s between Golden State and Miami just by knowing Bron and being his teammate before and the way he approaches the game. Those are the two spots where I think he has the best chance of winning.”
So here’s where it gets interesting. Chalmers has a gut feeling, and it’s pointing west.
“I give him two to three more years, and I want to save Miami, but I have a gut feeling that it might be Golden State.”
That’s not nothing. Chalmers has been in the locker room with James. He’s seen how the guy thinks. The Warriors already have Steph Curry, Draymond Green and a system that’s won four titles. Adding LeBron to that mix would be wild. It would also mean James is chasing rings in the West, going through the same gauntlet he just left.
Other teams are in the mix too. The Cavaliers, 76ers, Timberwolves and Nuggets have all been linked to James since he told the Lakers he was moving on. But nobody has a timeline on when he’ll decide. Multiple reports say he’s going to take his time. This is probably the last big decision of his career, and he’s not rushing it.
If Chalmers’ gut is right, the Warriors might be the ones making room for a lease on another title run. Miami has the better roster on paper. Golden State has the history and the system. Pick your poison.
Leave a Comment