Rumors: LeBron James going to the Clippers next season

The Los Angeles Clippers might be the new king of Los Angeles next season as rumors were spreading that LeBron James will be heading to the Clippers next season.

The back-to-back  MVP is months away from potentially testing the free agency waters, but he could be interested in landing in Los Angeles with Chris Paul and Coach Doc Rivers.

This was suggested by ESPN's Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne:

The James contingency has been examined by the Clippers, sources told ESPN. The Heat, one of the most thorough and thoughtful organizations in the league, are quite aware the Clippers could end up being a competitor if James elects to opt out. Perhaps the most serious competitor of all.

Primarily this is because of James' relationships with Paul and Rivers. Paul is one of James' best friends and the two have talked about playing with each other since they were in high school, when they met on the AAU and prep All-Star circuits. Paul is godfather to James' son Bryce and they were in each other's weddings.

James has not spoken about his plans for the summer, something he vowed to stay away from before the season began. The Clippers would need to clear cap space if they wanted to land James and would still likely need to acquire him through a sign-and-trade. League executives believe the Heat would ask for a package built around Blake Griffin if James leverages his way to Los Angeles this summer, though the team could have other trade options.

But this possibility will only be revealed after this season when James tastes the free agency market again.