LeBron James free agency is already one of the biggest stories of the NBA summer. But Bill Simmons floated an idea on his podcast this week that would make it even messier and more fascinating. What if LeBron just doesn’t sign anywhere until next season is already underway?
Simmons compared the hypothetical to what Roger Clemens did back in 2006. Clemens essentially sat out the first two months of the MLB season before signing with the Houston Astros in June, and then he pitched deep into the playoffs. The idea here is basically the same: LeBron takes January and February off, preserves his body, then joins a team for the stretch run and playoffs.
That would mean LeBron skipping training camp. It would mean skipping the first 40 or so games. And it would mean his new team would have to scrape by without him for half the season before he shows up fresh and angry.
Is that even realistic in the NBA? Probably not. But Simmons pointed out that LeBron has already told the Lakers he won’t be back next year, and teams like the Warriors, Cavaliers and Heat are circling. If LeBron wanted to maximize contender potential, waiting could let him see which team actually has a shot before committing.
There’s a practical problem though. The salary cap math gets weird. To pull this off, LeBron would almost certainly have to take a minimum-level deal. His agent Rich Paul has reportedly said that’s something LeBron is open to, but that’s a lot of money to leave on the table. Even for a guy who’s made hundreds of millions.
LeBron just showed in the playoffs that he can still be the best player on the floor when it matters. He single-handedly carried the Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first round. And even in the second round sweep against Oklahoma City, he was the clear alpha on the court. Waiting half a year would be a gamble on his body still being able to flip that switch.
No player of LeBron’s stature has ever done anything remotely like this in the NBA. That’s partly what makes the idea so compelling. But it’s also what makes it feel like a fever dream from a podcast more than something that will actually happen.
Still, the Clemens comparison is the kind of weird sports history callback that forces you to stop and think about it. A rested, pissed-off LeBron entering a playoff race in February? That would be appointment television. And maybe that’s exactly the kind of chaos LeBron likes to create.
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