Pau Gasol: LeBron James Didn't Tell Me He Was Leaving Miami Heat

Pau Gasol: LeBron James Didn’t Tell Me He Was Leaving Miami Heat

January 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) and Miami Heat small forward LeBron James (6) battle for position under the basket in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Heat won 99-90. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Pau Gasol is denying that LeBron James told him that he was leaving the Miami Heat.

The Miami Heat pursued forward Pau Gasol in free agency this summer, but the center ultimately bypassed them to sign with the Chicago Bulls.

More from Chicago Bulls

As Gasol admitted to Bleacher Report’s Ethan Skolnick, the uncertainty about whether or not James would return to the team played a factor in his decision not to sign with Miami.

What the seven-footer won’t say is accurate is the semi-popular belief that James actually told Gasol to steer clear from the Heat because he would be leaving the team to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Skolnick writes:

"Since James left, there have been reports—including one from ESPN Radio’s Dan Le Batard—that James had advised Gasol not to sign in Miami because he would not be around, an accusation that fits with the organization’s perception that his mind was made up long before he informed Riley. Sources close to James have disputed that premise generally, as well as the Gasol report specifically.Did James steer Gasol from the Heat?“No, that’s speculation, that’s not accurate,” Gasol said. “No. I communicated with LeBron as well, but that was not mentioned. No.”"

It certainly is possible that James did hint to Gasol he would be leaving the Heat — ESPN’s Dan Le Batard is typically accurate about these matters — but it would be a complete betray of trust for Gasol to admit that.

Gasol averaged 17.4 points and 9.7 rebounds per game this past season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

More from FanSided

Home/Chicago Bulls