3 reasons LeBron James will sign with the Los Angeles Lakers

3. Roster flexibility

The Lakers are one of a few teams with enough cap space to bring in multiple players with varying contracts. They have the room to sign two max players and could potentially have more cap space if they are miraculously able to unload Luol Deng‘s contract.

When James joins a new team, he likes to bring trusted veterans alongside with him. Whether it’s Paul George, DeMarcus Cousins or Kawhi Leonard, who reportedly wants to be a Laker, the Lakers have the roster flexibility to bring in whomever James wants. Of course, the San Antonio Spurs have to agree to a deal for Leonard, but his desire to come to L.A. could help sway James.

If the Lakers are successful in adding James and another max player, they would have to fill out the roster with veteran players on minimum deals. The Miami Heat and Cavaliers did the same when James joined them in 2010 and 2014 respectively, bringing in players like Mike Miller, Shane Battier and others.

The Lakers also have two of their own free agents, Isaiah Thomas and Brook Lopez, that could potentially be brought back on team-friendly deals. If James decides to come to Los Angeles and both players want to contend for a title, they could choose to accept one-year deals for the minimum.

James and Thomas had an unsuccessful brief stint as teammates last season in Cleveland, but winning cures all.