EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — LeBron James on South Beach? Dwyane Wade in Cleveland?

Both of them in New York?

James raised the possibility Sunday of the MVP candidates playing together somewhere after he was asked a question about the friendly rivalry between the U.S. Olympic teammates.

James was asked if he'd prefer they both stay in the same conference, so they could play against each other more often, or end up in different conferences, so they could compete against each other for championships.

"I don't know, it doesn't matter," James said before the Cavaliers' game against the Nets. "Whatever happens, we'll go against each other, and maybe we'll go against each other in practice. I don't know, that'd be fun, wouldn't it?"

James, Wade and Chris Bosh of Toronto, all of whom came into the league in 2003, can opt out of their contracts in 2010. The Olympic teammates have said they've talked about the idea of playing together in the NBA.

Cleveland could potentially have enough money to re-sign James and a top free agent to join him, while Miami could do the same with Wade after Jermaine O'Neal's contract expires. The Knicks have been trying to clear enough salary cap space to offer maximum deals to two players.

Asked if his answer meant he had Miami as a potential destination, James said he didn't mean he'd go to the Heat, or that Wade would come to Cleveland. As he walked away, he added maybe he meant in the Olympics.

They could team again there in 2012, if both decided to return for a third stint with the U.S. squad.