Asked today about a report that suggested he’d be open to talking to the Warriors as a free agent this offseason, LeBron James dismissed the rumor, calling it “nonsense,” according to Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
“It’s nonsense, and it’s a non-story,” James told reporters, including Vardon. “I think it’s a discredit to what I’m trying to do here. It’s a discredit to my teammates and the coaching staff here. … My only focus right now is trying to figure out how we can become a championship-caliber team in these next few months.”
As I noted on Thursday when we relayed the ESPN report, the notion that James would be open to talking to the Warriors isn’t outrageous, but it does seem pretty far-fetched that he would ever seriously consider joining his Western Conference rivals. According to Vardon, James has confided to people close to him that he would never join the Dubs, recognizing the negative impact it would have on his legacy.
After telling reporters today that he never said he would sit down with the Warriors or any other team in free agency, James cautioned against buying into rumors on his free agency that don’t come directly from him.
“I’m here, I’m right here, I’m right now and this is my present and this is where I’m at,” James said of Cleveland and the Cavs. “If you don’t hear something coming from my voice, then it’s not true. I don’t give a damn how close they are, I don’t care if it’s my kids, or my wife or whatever. If it’s not from me, it’s not true, so.”
While James’ vociferous denials are convincing, Haynes is a very good reporter and wouldn’t run a story of this magnitude without solid sources, so it’s worth considering why it surfaced at this point — and who might have leaked it. The Ringer’s Bill Simmons tweeted out one theory on Thursday.
Nonsense!!
Gosh part of Lebron’s legacy really is becoming what a whiny guy he is—self centered only on himself and his legacy.
FYI, guys: A lot of comment sections on Cavs-related stories lately have devolved into insults and name-calling — any comments along those lines here will be deleted, and repeat offenders run the risk of being banned. I know everyone has strong opinions on LeBron, but let’s keep it civil.
Seemed laughable when it was reported, even just as a theory.
LeBron will Join the Lakers this off season if the Cavs can’t figure it out. Not if they can’t win, if the chemistry isn’t there and the teammates aren’t gelling, Lebron will be donning the Purple and Gold like so many of Basketball’s greatests.
Agreed. He and cousins will be here. Pg will either sign with okc or clips long term. Lakers with ball, kcp (or another shooting guard) ingram lebron and cousins will rival anyone else in the west.
Cousins who just had a career altering injury for a big man ???
Cmon? James is to old , Boogie w/ the Achilles tear! Lakers have to move on!
But why will the Lakers be the better choice? They don’t have another star player and no one knows how LeBron will get along with the Lakers players and coaches. I think his best option is to resign with the Cavs then demand a trade to the thunder or rockets
LeBron going to the Thunder and beating the Warriors would be hilarious! Not gonna happen tho
I think the clippers now have a better chance than the Lakers. Don’t see why LeBron would want to deal with the whole Ball circus going on in LA. (pun intended)
until it happens
LeBron answered the question, would you listen to The Warriors if they had a Max money spot? and he said, yes, in a way that he would listen to any team. Not that he would join the Warriors but he would listen to them sure.
Then he wet his finger, stuck it in the air, heard how the opinion winds were blowing and retracted the statement because everyone hated it.
Lebron’s opinions are formed by gauging yhe popular opinion of the masses. I get it, he wants to be popular…, who doesnt? I don’t think he’s a man that has his own ideas.
He used to speak and act creatively when he was young but nobody cared. Indeed people in Ohio felt threatened when he was in HS. Now he speaks the minimum to reporters and his TV shows get renewals. (The ones he is attached to, not necessarily the ones he watches.)
I think James was asked who he was willing to talk to in the offseason, and he said “everyone” to best exit the conversation, and they said “even the Warriors?”, and he said “yeah whatever excuse me” and left.
My odds for LJ2018: Cavs 60%, Spurs 18%, 3.Sixers 9%, Lakers, Clips, Rockets & Jazz 3%, other 1%. If he goes to some other team, that was the 1%. So there, I got it partly right regardless.
I think he stays in east west is to hard. Sixers are my dark horse team. Bucks as well but I’m 50% cavs
“I’m here, I’m right here. I’m right now, and this my present and this where I’m at” That’s my hero right there.
That’s the best news I heard all year. So glad it’s not true. Thank you thank you thank you. No bullies allowed