LeBron James rumor roundup: The latest on his plans for free agency
James has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers.
A look at the latest news involving unrestricted free agent LeBron James . . .
July 1
LeBron James has agreed to join the Los Angeles Lakers:
James and the Lakers agreed to a four-year, $154 million deal, according to Klutch Sports.
— Klutch Sports Group (@KlutchSports) July 2, 2018
James’s reps will reportedly meet with the Philadelphia 76ers: ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports the 76ers will meet with James’s representatives in Los Angeles Sunday. James will not attend the meeting, according to Wojnarowski.
Marc Stein of the New York Times reports one of Philadelphia’s top selling points to James’s agent will be the team’s hopes to land Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard. The 76ers are one of the four teams that have made an offer for Leonard.
Among the Sixers’ planned top selling points to LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul today: Philly believes it still has a real chance to win the Kawhi Leonard trade sweepstakes, league sources say
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2018
The Denver Nuggets are reportedly interested in James: According to Chris Mannix of Yahoo Sports, the Nuggets have been in content with James’s agent and will “aggressively pursue a meeting.”
Forward Paul George will remain with the Oklahoma City Thunder: George and the Thunder have agreed to a four-year, $137 million max contract, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. George announced he is “here to stay” at a party hosted by teammate Russell Westbrook Saturday night.
Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman spoke with James to open free agency: Shortly after midnight, James and his agent, Rich Paul, had a phone conversation with Altman. The two sides have maintained a “dialogue” since the conclusion of the NBA Finals, according to ESPN. It is unknown whether an in-person meeting is scheduled. James is expected to make his decision in a timely fashion.
James declined his $35.6 million contract option for the upcoming season to become an unrestricted free agent Friday. Although James has opted out, the Cavs can still offer him more money— a five-year, $207 million contract — than any other team, because they own his “Bird rights.”
Had LeBron opted in, that would have been a bad sign for Cleveland — it would basically have meant that his camp had a trade partner lined up. As it stands now, CLE is still in the mix. According to a Cavs source, the team’s “Plan A, B & C in free agency is to keep LeBron”
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) June 29, 2018
James has arrived in Los Angeles: According to ESPN, James arrived in Los Angeles early Saturday afternoon. Although the Lakers are one of the potential suitors looking to sign James, he also has an offseason home in Los Angeles.
Related links: 3 options for LeBron James in NBA free agency
