LeBron James: 5 potential landing spots in 2018 free agency

4. New Orleans Pelicans

If the Rockets are on the table as a possible destination, even with James’s disdain for the city of Houston, then the New Orleans Pelicans should be in there as well.

After a surprise berth in the conference semis, the Pelicans are a team on the rise, and they have a lot of assets LeBron would covet in a roster. James would get to play next to another superstar in Anthony Davis, a guy who can take over the game on both ends.

Jrue Holiday has emerged as one of the league’s best two-way guards, someone who can score the basketball and proved his defensive prowess against the duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum in the first round against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Rajon Rondo — should he re-sign — may not be able to start in a lineup with James due to his shooting, but he could be a great ball-handler off the bench.

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Where this gets tricky for New Orleans is getting the money necessary to even have the thought to pursue LeBron James.

They’d obviously be unable to re-sign DeMarcus Cousins and would subsequently have to get rid of Solomon Hill and the remaining two years and $25 million on his deal.

Even then, ownership would have to be willing to dip into the luxury tax, unless they can work out a sign-and-trade with the Cavs in order to obtain LeBron’s Bird Rights, which would have to entail James opting into the final year of his deal before the June 29 deadline. As Vardon reports, that’s not happening.

The idea of James in the Cresent City seems like the longest of shots. However, talent-wise, it gives him a superstar teammate that he can lean on once he gets older as well as a seasoned supporting cast that can do multiple things on the court.

In terms of contending for championships, the Pelicans are a better fit than most realize.