LeBron James: 8 Free Agency Destinations

May 26, 2014; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat forward LeBron James (6) reacts against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 102-90. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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8. Long Shot: Los Angeles Lakers

Feb 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) and Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

The LeBron James And Carmelo Anthony To The Lakers dream really does feel like nothing more than a fantasy, but don’t tell LA fans that. Part of being a Laker is the belief that every big name wants to play for you and that the prestige of the franchise is enough to sway the earth’s greatest basketball players to join you. Other than LA’s He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, their track record would indicate as much as well.

Playing for the Lakers would have some benefits and until LeBron comes out and says what he wants, there’s no harm in speculating. The Lakers would be the most prestigious organization LeBron has ever played for and King James is definitely cognizant of the legacy he’s trying to leave behind. If the Lakers are able to trade their pick and Steve Nash as rumors have suggested, that could free up enough space to where James and Anthony in the City of Angels is a realistic possibility.

That being said, LeBron probably won’t seriously consider playing in LA. The Lakers are still Kobe Bryant‘s team and there’s little point in the best player in the world subjecting himself to that idea when the Black Mamba is just coming off a season in which he played only six games due to injury. At the very least, Kobe’s days as an elite player are behind him, so other than the possibility of playing with Melo, LA wouldn’t be an upgrade over Miami in his quest to win more titles.