Lebron James is the best player in the NBA right now. There will be those who argue for Kobe Bryant or maybe even Dwayne Wade, but simply look at Lebron’s numbers for this year. He is shooting the best percentages of his career (50% FG, 36% 3FG), while averaging closer to a triple-double than any player since Magic Johnson averaged 18-9-9 in the 1981-82 season (James is 29-7-8). Lebron’s Cavaliers are sporting the best record in the NBA and the second most talented player on his team is a 37-year-old broken-down Shaq. The Cavs swept the Lakers in their two meetings this season as Lebron took Kobe’s crown. The one thing Lebron still has to do to be the consensus best player in the league is win a title.

The way the Cavs have been playing the last few months, it seems that this might be their year, but even if they win the championship, Lebron will still have three fewer rings than Kobe, and five fewer than Michael Jordan. Lebron wants to be the best ever, and to be that he’s going to need to win. And win some more. Cleveland just doesn’t seem like the most likely place for that to happen.

With the economy where it is, some teams (Knicks, Nets) probably aren’t going to be able to put together a good-enough package in the free agent market of 2010 to entice Lebron. Miami and Chicago (and Cleveland, only if they can grab a Chris Bosh, or do a sign and trade for a Chris Paul) seem to be the leaders of the pack in the Lebron sweepstakes, but here are four other teams that could potentially give Lebron a better chance to chase Jordan’s six rings.

1. The Houston Rockets – Whether or not Yao Ming ever comes back or can stay healthy, the Rockets are a perfect team for Lebron. Thanks to Tracy McGrady and a few other players, the Rockets have almost 40 million dollars coming off the books next year. Even if every free agent left the Rockets, they would still be able to pair Lebron up with just the kind of role player arsenal that he needs. Houston took the Lakers to seven games last year with their two best players watching from the sidelines. Aaron Books is a speedy point guard who can wreak havoc on any team forced to double team Lebron. Trevor Ariza was a key part of that Lakers championship team from a year ago — he can defend, shoot the three, and gets at least two steals resulting in layups each game. Shane Battier is one of the most underrated players in the game and he fulfils a role that every NBA champion has had over the past ten years. Everyone needs a lockdown perimeter defender who can shoot the three. LA had Ariza, San Antonio had Bruce Bowen, Boston and Miami each had James Posey. You pair Lebron with Brooks, Ariza, Battier, whatever other free agent they sign with their 40 million dollars, and whatever’s left of Yao, and suddenly Houston becomes the best team in the West.
2. The Los Angeles Clippers – No player in his right mind would actually want to play for Donald Sterling, the worst owner in all of sports, but it is LA, and it might be attractive to Lebron to come into Kobe’s house and steal the entire city right out from under him. The Clippers have almost 30 million dollars coming off their books, and Lebron would be teamed up with Baron Davis, who can still play amazing when he feels like it, and with Lebron, he’d feel like it. Chris Kaman should have been an all-star this year, and he’s staying. But the crown jewel of the Clippers is Blake Griffin. Imagine Lebron and Blake running towards you. Scary.
3. The Oklahoma City Thunder – If this happens, I’m moving to OKC.  They only have 9 million dollars coming off the books next year, but they are one of only four teams under the cap this year. This is more of a stretch than the first two teams listed, considering they are going to need to re-sign Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook in two years, but think about KD and Lebron on the same team. Those two years would be magical.
4. The Washington Wizards - Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Wizards dismantle their team, giving Antawn Jamison to the Cavs for some expiring contracts and then have enough cap space after buying out Gilbert Arenas to steal Lebron James? Lebron would be paired with Caron Butler, Randy Foye, Andray Blatche, DeShawn Stevenson’s beard, and would get to give Barack Obama a high-five after every dunk. That has to sound appealing to him.

Obviously, I hope none of these scenarios happen, and Lebron James comes to the New York Knicks as was predicted by my psychic, even though a Lebron theft of Los Angeles would be oh so sweet.

Matthew Strickland is a senior at Drexel University. He studies English and Philosophy, and is anticipated to graduate in March of 2010.

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