If LeBron James Goes Full MJ

Image credit: LeBron's Decision (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Over the past few days, several minor league teams have poked fun at LeBron James’ upcoming free agency by making their own pitches to the NBA superstar. The Lehigh Valley IronPigs followed the 76ers’ lead by purchasing a billboard in Allentown urging James to ditch his sneakers for cleats. The Myrtle Beach Pelicans thought that if he took his talents to South Beach, why not Myrtle Beach? And the Birmingham Barons tried to sell LeBron on the idea of following in Michael Jordan’s footsteps from 24 years ago.

It seems pretty unlikely that LeBron would consider these offers, but it got us at Baseball America to thinking about what other landing spots might make sense if he were to trade the lavish life of NBA royalty for late-night bus rides and postgame peanut butter and jelly.

Here are eight places we think would make the most, ahem, sense.

1. Akron Rubber Ducks
   This one is obvious. Lebron is famously from Akron, and has spent millions of dollars on charitable efforts in the city where he raised. A Lebron-led Rubber Ducks squad would sell out every single game, home or road.

2. Inland Empire 66ers
   He’s already King James, so why not play a year as Emperor James? Plus, if he’s already considering playing for the 76ers, the 66ers would only make sense.

3. Hartford Yard Goats
   LeBron’s already the G.O.A.T., so why not up the ante and become a Yard Goat?
   
4. Hillsboro Hops
   Anyone who can jump like LeBron obviously has hops. If Hillsboro comes calling, he should jump at the chance to make this partnership happen.
5. Durham Bulls
   The teams who have already made their interest in James public have offered the theory that to truly be Michael Jordan’s equal, he’s got to play minor league baseball. Well, Jordan played his college ball in North Carolina and spent most of his career with the Bulls. By joining Durham, LeBron would kill two birds with one stone.

6. Hagerstown Suns
   Playing for the Phoenix Suns is not the move right now. The Hagerstown Suns? That’s a different story. LeBron might never make people forget about Juan Soto, but it couldn’t hurt to try.
   
   
7. Vancouver Canadians
   LeBron already owns Toronto. Taking over Vancouver is the logical next step.
   
   
8. Ogden Raptors
   This makes more sense for Ogden than it does for LeBron, because it’s clearly the only way to keep him from wreaking havoc on another set of helpless Raptors.