Fansided

LeBron James isn’t interested in big free-agent presentations

By Jason Patt

CLEVELAND, CA - JUN 8: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media after being defeated by the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals won 108-85 by the Golden State Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, CA - JUN 8: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media after being defeated by the Golden State Warriors in Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals won 108-85 by the Golden State Warriors over the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena on June 6, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LeBron James has no use for elaborate recruiting pitches this summer.

The two times LeBron James has switched teams, other organizations put together big free-agent presentations in an effort to woo the best player in the world. James took part in a much-hyped tour in 2010 before choosing the Miami Heat on national television, while his agents received pitches from a numbers of teams in 2014 in advance of his decision to return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Another four years later and LeBron is again possibly going to change franchises, but this time he and his representation have no interest in dealing with any elaborate recruiting pitches, according to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. While Shelburne says James may meet with other teams at some point, he doesn’t need to be sold with pomp and circumstance as he gets set to enter his 16th season in the NBA. James and his team know the basic lay of the land enough to make an informed decision, and he likely already has a good idea of what he wants to do.

LeBron faces a Friday deadline to opt in to his $35.6 million player option for 2018-19. Choosing to opt in wouldn’t necessarily mean he’s staying in Cleveland. We saw Chris Paul opt in with the Los Angeles Clippers last summer and then get traded to the Houston Rockets, and a similar scenario could play out with James.

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ESPN’s Brian Windhorst gave his “informed opinion” on the matter last week on Zach Lowe’s podcast, and Windhorst believes LeBron won’t pick up the option and will instead hit unrestricted free agency. This would deal a major blow to the Rockets’ chances of signing James because of their cap situation, and Windhorst went on to say he feels it will come down to the Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, with the Cavaliers and Lakers being the top options.

The Lakers are currently the favorite for LeBron’s services.