LeBron James: Top 5 free agency destinations in 2018

3. Phoenix Suns

Joining the Bulls as the big shockers on this list, the Phoenix Suns are basically the less glamorous version of the Los Angeles Lakers. They’ve got a collection of young but unproven talent, a possible franchise cornerstone, a front office executive with ties to LeBron and plenty of potential cap space to quickly assemble a star-studded roster.

At only 20 years old, Devin Booker is the main attraction as a budding star that LeBron has praised in the past. Josh Jackson is a player the Cavaliers want in any Kyrie Irving trade talks, probably by LeBron’s urging, while Dragan Bender, Marquese Chriss, Tyler Ulis and T.J. Warren encompass the young core with potential.

Those players will have to prove themselves this season by not only posting a better record than the Lakers, but also by lucking their way into a top-three selection in a top-heavy draft. If LeBron somehow commits to Phoenix, those young players or picks could be dealt for additional star talent.

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Coming out West would only mean King James has to face the Warriors sooner rather than later in the playoffs, and the Suns aren’t ready to contend as currently constructed.

But neither are the Lakers, and Phoenix has the added benefit of LeBron’s friend and fellow Klutch Sports client Eric Bledsoe, plus his other friend and well-respected former teammate James Jones in the front office, to get in his ear. Trading the contracts of Brandon Knight ($14.6 million), Tyson Chandler ($13.6 million) and Jared Dudley ($9.5 million) would only free up additional cap room for more star talent.

The Suns have never won a championship entering their 50th year as a franchise. For a player so conscious of NBA history, perhaps the prospect of bringing Phoenix its first title would make it a more attractive destination.