LeBron James' free agency: Kawhi Leonard, Chris Paul or Paul George could sway decision

Sam Amick | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Free agency takes forefront with NBA draft concluded SportsPulse: USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt and Trysta Krick discuss the upcoming free agency period and LeBron James' future.

LeBron James needs help.

From Cleveland to Los Angeles and every potential landing spot in between, everyone agrees on that much. Yet as free agency nears on July 1, and with the Thursday draft revealing nothing about where the Cavaliers star might go next, the question of who will join forces with the game’s greatest player remains more relevant than all the rest.

Yes, the market matters when it comes to finding a good fit for his family. And sure, he’ll consider the history of each franchise and how it might – or might not – reconcile with his personal story. But if James can’t find a co-star or two – and we’re talking about an All-Star caliber/Hall of Fame-bound type supporting cast – then it’s hard to see him leaving ‘The Land’ for a second time.

Better yet for the Cavs’ purposes? Do a deal to bring one of these talents his way in time to keep him from taking his talents elsewhere again – a la 2010.

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The Lakers are widely seen as the greatest threat to lure James away from his home state, with other suitors like the Houston Rockets and Philadelphia 76ers appearing to be long shots at this point. But the notion of him heading to Los Angeles without another co-star in tow, of leaving the East after eight consecutive Finals appearances to play in a Western Conference where Golden State and Houston have proven their prowess, is widely viewed as lunacy.

With that in mind, we take a look at the stars who might sway his decision.

CHRIS PAUL

It’s only natural to wonder if James might partner with his best friend and fellow free agent in Paul, and we’ve been wondering for six months or so if that might be the case. But while the Rockets appear resigned to the fact that James won’t be coming their way, they also remain fully confident that Paul is going nowhere.

When Paul pushed his way from the Clippers to the Rockets via trade last June, there was a mutual understanding about how his next contract would look. It remains to be seen if it comes in the form of a five-year, $205 million max deal – one that would have him making a whopping $46.7 million in the final year of the deal while nearing the age of 38 – but there remains a strong sense within Rockets circles that he’s staying put.

As for the recent report from Fox Sports’ Chris Broussard that there are rising tensions between the two sides because Paul wants the full max and isn’t sure if he’ll get it, two people with knowledge of the situation refuted the idea there is any friction between the sides. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

If it’s any indication, Paul is part of the Rockets contingent expected to be on hand for the TNT awards in Los Angeles on Monday to help his co-star, James Harden, celebrate the MVP award that is widely expected to be coming his way. What’s more, Paul recently bought a new house in the Houston area. As for the prospect of James joining him, it’s looking highly unlikely.

KAWHI LEONARD

When Leonard’s desire to be traded from San Antonio to the Lakers was leaked via several media outlets last week, it was natural to wonder if he would become the star who compels James to come to LA. But in the days that followed, the Spurs wasted no time in sending this message all around the NBA: The only Western Conference team he might be playing for is theirs.

Fellow West teams have been told, in essence, to get lost – none moreso than the Lakers, according to ESPN. As it stands, the Spurs are determined to either fix the situation or trade Leonard to an Eastern Conference team. For teams other than the Lakers, the threat of losing Leonard in free agency next summer makes the prospect of offering meaningful assets a complicated, calculated risk.

The Cavs have reportedly pursued a deal for Kemba Walker to bolster their pitch to James, but might they be able to swing a deal for Leonard instead? They might have a better shot than anyone in the West, but they’d be hard-pressed to compete with the kind of packages that teams like Boston and Philadelphia could put forth. According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Cavs have inquired about Leonard but there is no traction on a possible deal. The Spurs have told teams to put forth offers without any indication of what might come next. The person spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.

Not to mention the fact that the Spurs aren’t showing much urgency to make a move just yet.

Coach Gregg Popovich met with Leonard in San Diego on Tuesday in an attempt to mend fences, and longtime general manager R.C. Buford made it clear on Thursday that San Antonio is still trying to make this relationship work.

“We will explore all of our options, but the first one would be to keep Kawhi as part of our group,” Buford told reporters of Leonard, who missed most of the season with a right quadriceps injury and is eligible for a five-year, $219 million extension on July 1.

PAUL GEORGE

Remember when George was so hell-bent on joining the Lakers? Well, that was before he found his way out of Indiana and into an Oklahoma City situation that might suit him well after all.

Even with the Thunder coming just two losses away from missing the playoffs, and then falling to Utah in six games during their first-round matchup, there is all sorts of optimism in Oklahoma City that George will re-sign. Conversely, there’s pessimism in James’ camp that George would leave Oklahoma City. George has raved about the Thunder since the beginning, making it clear to USA TODAY Sports in September that the organization had earned his confidence from the start.

“I haven't even gone through a season yet, and they've already proven everything on my check list (that) I can check off,” George said then. “That's what feels good. That's what makes me feel like, 'Hey, this can be a landing spot for me, and somewhere I can call home for years.”

It’s not hard to understand what might compel George to stay. The chemistry with Russell Westbrook is bound to improve if they have a second year together, and it doesn’t hurt that their off-court relationship continues to appear very strong. Ditto for George’s dynamic with coach Billy Donovan.

Veteran guard Andre Roberson, whose season-ending patellar tendon injury in late January derailed the Thunder’s defense, remains on track to be ready for training camp in October. According to the New York Times, Carmelo Anthony will still be a part of the program as well. But if George does indeed stay, that would be widely considered a big blow to the Lakers’ chances of landing James.

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