LeBron James on Friday quickly shot down rumors that he had a list of preferred teams he would join once his free agency started this summer, per Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com.
When asked if he has a list of teams he would prefer when he hits free agency, James simple said “no.”
“I got too much work to do here still,” James said, referring to the Cavaliers.
Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported recently that James had a list of four teams — the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets — that he would seriously consider once July 1 hit. Two of those cities currently have billboards up attempting to recruit him.
James addressed the fact that billboards hang in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, per Vardon.
“It’s flattering more than anything that a fan of a team or somewhere would want me to play in their city,” James said.
The rumors that James heading to L.A. is a foregone conclusion have been around for quite some time. He has a home in the Brentwood area, and many of his business dealings are in L.A.
But James eluded to the idea that the rumors were so strong mainly because of the Lakers’ financial situation and the overall nature of the NBA.
“It’s not my first rodeo, but I don’t, it doesn’t bother me,” James said. “I don’t talk about it too much. Like I said, I’ll handle that whenever it comes but it’, I understand that the conversation happens here because first of all they have cap space. And this league is much better when the Lakers, the Knicks, and the Celtics are all good at the same time. That’s just how it is. So, that’s what also creates the frenzy.”
Again, July 1 can’t come soon enough.
