A quarter of a century chasing the impossible legacy of Michael Jordan

After 23 seasons in the NBA, LeBron James faces his most difficult decision. The King, who will not continue playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, is looking for a new team with which to achieve his fifth NBA championship ring. The 41-year-old forward is one of the few players who can stand up to Michael Jordan in the debate about the greatest player of all time. His status as a free agent will allow him to choose the jersey he will wear in what will surely be his farewell season in the NBA. The Golden State Warriors, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat, and the Minnesota Timberwolves are some of the franchises that dream of signing him. Each has its own narrative. Some have a better chance of fighting for the championship ring, while others have an emotional factor.For years his salary was prohibitive for most teams. Last season, he earned $52.6 million (about 46.1 million euros) with the Lakers. But now the player is willing to play for the veteran minimum salary, and therefore, money will carry less weight in competitive possibilities.James dominated the NBA between 2011 and 2018, when he played eight consecutive finals. His titles with the Miami Heat (2012 and 2013), the Cleveland Cavaliers (2016), and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020) placed him among the greatest players of all time, a distinction that has been fueled by his individual records. LeBron surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the all-time leading scorer.Even though he is far from his best version, LeBron James continues to be a differential player, as he combines the competitive voracity of Kobe Bryant with an altruism that he had parked during the first years of his professional career. Last season he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. The Lakers, rebuilt

After the announcement that LeBron James will not play in Los Angeles, the Lakers used their freed-up salary cap to close four signings worth $261 million (approximately 228.5 million euros): Walker Kessler, Quentin Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Collin Sexton. The additions are meant to complete a project led by Austin Reaves and, above all, Luka Doncic. “It was a true honor to wear the Lakers colors while trying to continue the greatness and legacy of those who came before me,” James said.