NBA rumors: Cavaliers' LeBron James to Warriors? Sixers among 8 teams he might consider

The rumor: LeBron James would listen to the Warriors is max slot is available 

Roster appeal: F Kevin Durant, G Stephen Curry, G Klay Thompson, FC Draymond Green

2018-19 cap situation: Total cap allocations- $128.3M (including Kevin Durant's $26.2M player option, $21.7M in cap holds). Practical cap space- Minus-$27.3M.

They said it:  "James and his business team have been known to covet structure. With Golden State, an ultra-aggressive general manager in Bob Myers, the ownership group as a whole and coach Steve Kerr are the epitome of that."

A sign-and-trade scenario would be the most realistic way for Golden State to acquire James. The Warriors could build an offer around Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala to match salary and tempt the Cavaliers into making a deal, according to ESPN's Kevin Pelton.

To make a sign-and-trade possible, Golden State also would need Kevin Durant to decline his player option and take even less than his current annual salary of $25 million, in addition to moving Shaun Livingston's salary to a team with cap space. Golden State probably would have to fill out its bench with players making the league minimum." — From Chris Haynes' ESPN report

The rumor: LeBron James to the Lakers is very much in play. 

Roster appeal: PG Lonzo Ball, F Brandon Ingram, F Kyle Kuzma

2018-19 cap situation: Total cap allocations (includes $80M in cap holds)- $134M. Practical cap space- $47M. 

They said it: “Where is he immediately next year having another chance to win a title? I don’t know what the realistic answer is but I know it’s not the Lakers with just LeBron in addition to their current young guys.” — ESPN's Zach Lowe on his podcast

The rumor: LeBron James won't rule out return to Cavaliers. 

Roster appeal: F Kevin Love, PG Isaiah Thomas (free agent), G Dwayne Wade (free agent) 

2018-19 cap situation: Cap allocations- $122.5M ($32.6M in cap holds). Practical cap space: Minus- $21.5M. James has a $35.6M player option. 

They said it: "How much of those guys (on the Lakers) are a sure thing? How confident can he be that the risk will pay off? As far as hardcore fans, I think they’ll understand (if James leaves). I think real basketball people will understand if he leaves (Cleveland). It’s chaotic there … but he has other considerations that other players don’t have which is just tons of casual fans who probably couldn’t name another basketball player, but they know LeBron James. That’s part of his market. That’s his weight in the world. If he leaves there a second time, he’s jeopardizing a lot of that ... I don’t know if he’s going to risk that." — Sports Illustrated's Lee Jenkins on Zach Lowe's podcast. 

The rumor: LeBron wouldn't rule out Rockets

Roster appeal: G James Harden, PG Chris Paul (free agent this summer), C Clint Capela

2018-19 cap situation: Total cap allocations- $147.6M (including $67.2M in cap holds). Practical cap space- $20.5M. 

They said it: "You know that he (GM Darryl Morey) will do everything possible to build a strong contender ... I just don't see the clean, clear path" for the Rockets. — ESPN's Brian Windhorst on the Hoopshype podcast.