LeBron's Reported Free-Agency Priority Could Be Bad Sign for Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have some advantages in the LeBron James sweepstakes, including proximity to his LA home and James' stated desire to play with Stephen Curry.

But the one potential issue in their pitch is reportedly James' highest priority in deciding where he'll play next.

NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that James' "priority is having a realistic chance at competing for a championship."

With James, the Warriors would be a playoff team, but there's reason to believe they'd still be a move or two away from reaching the level of the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder.

Getting Anthony Davis could close that gap, but Marc J. Spears reported that the Wizards have shut down trade talks.

Potential James Suitors Could Have Better Championship Chances

One could argue that both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers would have better title chances with James than the Warriors would.

The Heat just added power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, and they already had Andrew Wiggins at small forward and Bam Adebayo at center. How James would fit in that frontcourt is up for debate, but there's not debate that it would be a talented group.

The Cavs just made the Eastern Conference Finals with small forward being their biggest weakness. James would make that a strength.

But the one potential James target who would unquestionably be a championship front-runner with him is the Spurs.

San Antonio can offer James the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception, and he would fill the Spurs' biggest weakness, which is a playmaker who can excel when games slow down in the fourth quarter.

If James' priority is competing for a title, the Spurs should be his choice.

Warriors Will Likely Wait LeBron Out for a Week

James is far and away the best player the Warriors can realistically get for the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.

The downside in waiting is potentially losing out on some of their other MLE targets such as Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton.

But after all the hype about their James pursuit, it would be ridiculous if they pulled out now.

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported that James will take his time to make a decision.

My guess is he'll make a decision before the free-agency moratorium ends on July 6 and contracts can be officially signed.

But I'd be surprised if he made a decision in the next day or two, and the Warriors will have to live with the consequences of that.

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