Should the Celtics make a run at LeBron James? It’s not as crazy as you might think.

LeBron James’s disengagement with the Lakers in the past few weeks was no ploy for a bigger contract or to create more buzz around his potential free agency. It was serious.

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The Lakers never made James a serious offer, and behind the scenes, he made plans for a future that didn’t include Los Angeles. He made it official on Tuesday, just hours before free agency began, announcing that he was continuing his career, but not with the Lakers.

James remains one of the game’s most productive players, although he’s lost a step and some endurance at age 41. He will have several suitors over the next few weeks, especially since he is maintaining that money isn’t his primary motivation; it’s winning.

As poor an offseason as the Celtics have endured already, it would be a daring move for president of basketball operations Brad Stevens to take the beleaguered Jaylen Brown off the trade market and then pursue a one-year contract with James for a chance to win a title in Boston and go out in glory.

It sounds like a crazy idea, but it really isn’t. The Raptors just reacquired Kawhi Leonard for a potential second title run, and he’s 35 with a well-chronicled injury history. Other clubs are taking major chances with the hopes of chasing a championship, while it appears Stevens is playing it close to the vest, afraid of the repercussions of having two maximum-salary players.

It’s time for Stevens to make amends with Brown, who is their best chance at beating the Knicks, and go the unconventional route. At least place a call to James and offer their mid-level exception. A team with Brown, Jayson Tatum, and James is a championship contender, and the hope is three players with a combined 42 years in the NBA could figure out who gets the ball where and when.

Oddsmakers have the Celtics behind only the Warriors and Cavaliers when it comes to landing James, so this notion is circulating. And it would be his best chance at a championship.

The Warriors have made their interest obvious and will offer a deal, but a team with James, Stephen Curry, Al Horford, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler is the millennial version of “The Over-The-Hill Gang,” with Steve Kerr playing the George Allen role. That would be an entertaining group, the best team in the world in 2016, but wouldn’t make the Thunder or Spurs pause for concern.

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Other clubs will emerge as James contenders, though, because he appears open to a fresh environment and one that will appreciate his talents as his career concludes.

The Lakers chose to shift their cornerstone focus to the talented but mercurial Luka Doncic, who was sidelined during the postseason with a hamstring injury and has yet to show he can physically endure the rigors of a full season. James was the lone player of their big three — along with Austin Reaves — who was completely healthy and productive for their playoff run, which ended with a loss to the Thunder.

Unquestionably a polarizing figure, any team that signs James would have to accept the attention he attracts and the demands he has. But on the floor, there is only a benefit. James can play five positions, including point forward. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists last season as a third offensive option.

Surrounding him with talent is the best way to maximize his skills. The Heat, who just acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo to join Bam Adebayo, are seeking to fill their roster with a third option, and Pat Riley could pursue a reunion. A return to Cleveland also is viable, but the Cavaliers could only offer him a minimum contract unless they get out of the second apron and work out a sign-and-trade with the Lakers.

James is arguably the greatest player of all time; he’s aging well, though the aging is happening. He’s comparable to Tom Brady, who remained effective well into his 40s even as his physical limitations became apparent. James lacks the 42-minutes-per-game endurance of the past. He isn’t as impactful on defense and doesn’t attack the rim with the vigor of his vintage form.

Still, he quickly emerges as the premier free agent on the market, with a championship pedigree and who make any team better. James will be the biggest story of this summer’s free agent period. He’ll have a chance to choose his next and perhaps final team.

And as usual, basketball fans will be following every moment of his “decision” because James is still that captivating.

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