LeBron James isn’t coming to the Suns, but that doesn’t mean his decision won’t have ripple effects reaching Phoenix. Today, ESPN’s LeBron James expert Brian Windhorst reported that we will likely know King James’ next team in the opening days of free agency, before the July 4.
While that may seem insignificant since he’s not even considering Phoenix as a destination, the timing of the move may actually determine the timing of all subsequent moves across the NBA. It’s a cause and effect chain of waiting that looks like this:
- LeBron James is the best player in the NBA
- Therefore, every team is willing to give him a max contract
- Therefore, LeBron will choose between the most attractive free agent destinations
- Therefore, top free agent destinations will hold off on other moves until he signs
- Therefore, second tier players will get less offers until LeBron signs
- Therefore, these players won’t sign a deal until after LeBron does
The chain can repeat for third and fourth tier players as well.