Upon his first immediate media availability, LeBron James immediately shut down any rumors of him considering the Golden State Warriors in the offseason, according to Tom Withers of The Associated Press.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, The King “vociferously” shot down the story initially written by ESPN’s Chris Haynes and urged to only trust information that comes straight from his mouth regarding free agency.
“I did two things,” said James, per Nikki Goel of ClutchPoints. “First I laughed at it, then I said it’s nonsense. It’s a no-story… it discredits what I’m trying to do here.”
“I can control what I do with these guys on this team. I can’t control what’s said out there. I won’t allow them to use my name to make a non-story. The Golden State thing is nonsense.”
As he has in the past, the 15th year forward said he will deal with free agency and his future during the summer, as his sole focus is getting the Cavs back to a fourth straight NBA Finals.
“[Golden State free agency] is not the story,” added James. “The Cavs going to their fourth straight finals is the story — because I’m saying it.”
“This is my focus. Nothing is stopping me from getting this team to the Finals.”
Haynes’s story was evidently based on James’ inner circle and their opinions, clearly stating that James would consider a max-offer pitch by the Warriors based on the respect he has for the organization.
It is often due diligence by a player to listen to what a franchise has to offer, as it is for several organizations to listen to pitches from respective agents.
It seems for now, James has been all about keeping his eyes on the prize and letting the rest sort itself out later.