After another disappointing playoff exit, the bookies have released odds on LeBron’s next team. If “King James” opts to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, where will he play next season? The NBA betting sites don’t have a clear favorite, but there are several different options.
At 39 years old, LeBron James is the oldest active player in the NBA. The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player and future first-ballot Hall of Famer has hinted that retirement isn’t far away.
However, his incredible production in 2023-24 doesn’t suggest he is ready to call it a career. Below, I explore the latest LeBron James next team odds, the favorites, and my predictions for where he will land next!
LeBron James’ Next Team Betting Odds For 2024-25
The following LeBron odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | +400 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | +500 |
| New York Knicks | +600 |
| Chicago Bulls | +700 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | +800 |
| Miami Heat | +900 |
| Orlando Magic | +1200 |
| San Antonio Spurs | +1400 |
According to BetOnline, if James declines his $51.4 million player option with the Lakers, he is favored to sign with the Golden State Warriors. As the betting favorite, the Warriors have an implied probability of 20% to sign James.
The top online bookmakers obviously expect it will be a fairly wide-open race for his services. James’ former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, have the second-shortest price at +500, with an implied chance of 16.7%. The New York Knicks round out the top three likeliest teams at +600.
LeBron James Next Team Favorites
Before making my LeBron James next team predictions, let’s delve into his most likely destinations. As noted above, the Warriors, Cavaliers, and Knicks are the top suitors, but are the odds justified?
Golden State Warriors (+400)
It’s no secret that James likes to surround himself with other stars. He was actively involved in recruiting Anthony Davis to the Lakers and tried to get other superstars to Los Angeles.
In the past, James was responsible for teaming up with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami, so we can expect something similar in the future (if LeBron decides to leave).
At this point in his career, there is nothing else to achieve but winning his fifth NBA title. With that in mind, forming a new super team with Steph Curry and Draymond Green wouldn’t be out of character.
In 2022, when asked which active player he’d like to play with the most, he immediately named Curry. He added that Bronny is his No. 1, but Curry ranked No. 1 among active NBA players1.
With Klay Thompson likely on the way out, the Warriors will have room for a new star. That said, the team’s front office may be interested in a rebuild instead.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+500)
A lengthy explanation isn’t needed for the Cavaliers near the top of LeBron’s next team odds. James was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, and played high school basketball at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School.
The Cavaliers drafted James with the first overall pick of the 2003 NBA Draft. After spending the first seven years of his Hall of Fame career in Cleveland, he took his talents to South Beach to form the super team in Miami.
However, James would return to Cleveland to bring a championship to the city in 2016. Is he interested in going back for his third and final stint as a Cavalier?
The Cavaliers have a solid young core that would benefit from James. Cleveland’s NBA Championship odds would instantly skyrocket, though I don’t know if he wants another tenure in Cleveland.
The way I see it, James wants his time in Cleveland to be remembered for the championship in 2016, and not a victory lap.
He finished on top with the Cavaliers, and it most likely stays that way. The Cavs may have to take a chance on drafting Bronny to lure LeBron back to his home state.
New York Knicks (+600)
The New York Knicks are the most intriguing option for James out of the favorites. If LeBron wants to expand his brand into another big market, New York City would be the place to do it.
Playing at Madison Square Garden is one of the holy grails of basketball. Similar to being a Laker, there is a certain mystique behind being a Knick, given the legacy of the franchise.
James doesn’t need money from playing basketball. The LeBron brand is much larger than his basketball salary. That is more important to him than earning one last lucrative contract.
He’s a billionaire and will soon retire, so expanding his brand and focusing on being a businessman is paramount. I don’t see any move that would be better than the Knicks, aside from staying in Los Angeles.
Additionally, the Knicks happen to have a quality basketball team as well. They have a mix of young talent and an emerging star in Jalen Brunson.
Not only can James play for a storied franchise while his brand flourishes in a huge basketball market, but he’ll also have a good chance to win a fifth title. If I were him, the Knicks would be at the top of my list.
LeBron James Next Team Sleepers
My LeBron next team predictions feature two sleeper clubs that could swoop in and sign “King James”. Let’s check out the odds and a quick review of dark horse LeBron betting picks:
- Philadelphia 76ers (+800) – The 76ers have room to sign James and a star he’d likely want to play with in Joel Embiid. With the team reportedly inquiring about getting James at the trade deadline, there is clear interest here. Also, Bronny could transfer to play college basketball in Pennsylvania at Duquesne. In my opinion, the 76ers should be one of the favorites at +500 or so. Getting +800 for them is excellent value.
- San Antonio Spurs (+1400) – The Spurs would have to draft Bronny for this to happen, but I don’t think it’s that outlandish. With an opportunity to pair James with Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs could take a chance on Bronny.
LeBron Next Team Predictions And Betting Pick
There will likely be some mutual feelings if the Knicks are interested. Adding to his legacy with a championship in New York would be the ultimate accomplishment.
The Knicks haven’t won a title since 1973! The fans are not particularly fond of James, but they’d warm up to him if he wants to bring a championship to NYC. Additionally, it’s an incredibly marketable situation for the James’ brand.
For my LeBron next team pick, I am playing one of the best value bets on the board at +600. The Knicks are my best bet, while the 76ers are worth considering as a sleeper at +800 odds.
Where To Bet On Lebron’s Next Team?
The LeBron next team gambling odds in this post are available at BetOnline, so that’s where you can place your bets on where James is heading next in the NBA.
Do you think that LeBron is on the move, staying with the Lakers, or retiring? BetOnline offers generous LeBron James odds, as well as betting lines on Bronny’s next team!
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Sources
1 Lakers’ LeBron James says he wants to play with Warriors’ Steph Curry | CBS Sports. Retrieved From “https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-lebron-james-says-he-wants-to-play-with-warriors-stephen-curry-i-love-everything-about-that-guy/”
