LeBron James free agency: Clippers idea still feels unlikely, but ties exist

The Clippers angle is out there for LeBron James. Still, it’s a tough one to picture.

According to Tim Bontemps and Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Clippers are among the theoretical options for James this summer.

James himself hasn’t exactly sold it.

“Nothing, because this is not our building,” he said at All-Star Weekend when asked about playing at Intuit Dome. “Nothing at all. This is a road game.”

That about sums up the vibe.

Still, league sources see at least a pathway. The Clippers could offer the same off-court setup as the Lakers. Same city. Same lifestyle. Same family and business benefits.

There’s also a potential financial wrinkle.

Some around the league have speculated that if the NBA’s investigation into Kawhi Leonard and his endorsement situation led to major contract changes, the Clippers could open up additional spending flexibility.

That’s a big if.

The basketball connection is real, though. Coach Tyronn Lue and James won a title together in Cleveland and have remained close. James also pushed for Lue to land the Lakers job back in 2019.

So yes, there’s familiarity. But from the outside, this one still feels more hypothetical than likely.