Four teams still believe they can land LeBron James despite vibes pointing toward Cleveland
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LeBron James's free agency has been quiet on his end but incredibly loud across the rest of the league. After leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, he has not tipped his hand publicly.
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Teams chasing LeBron say talking to his camp is a one-way street: they make their pitch, and then they just wait for his agent, Rich Paul, to get back to them.
Right now, league insiders think there is a "vibe" pointing toward the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to ESPN. James spent part of his Fourth of July weekend in Akron and recently reconnected with several of his 2016 championship teammates.
Furthermore, the Cavs are coming off their best non-LeBron season in three decades and just locked up Donovan Mitchell on a three-year, $150.3 million max extension.
ESPN's Brian Windhorst noted that while people in the league think the situation is pointing toward Cleveland, they are mostly operating off history rather than inside information, adding, "If you ask me, are the vibes pointing towards Cleveland? Yeah, the vibes are pointing towards Cleveland. But it's just vibes."
The Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers all think they have a real shot at signing James. None of the teams is backing off either, even though the Cleveland Cavaliers are the favorite. Since the 41-year-old is willing to take a veteran minimum deal to win another ring, teams over the cap can actually afford him.
Every team has a different selling point. Golden State offers a reunion with Steph Curry and Draymond Green after their Olympic run. Denver can pair him with Nikola Jokic so he doesn't have to carry the offense every night. Minnesota gives him a chance to play with Anthony Edwards.
Philadelphia's case got a boost the moment it traded for Jaylen Brown, a move that ESPN's Shams Charania said James is taking things really seriously.
Ultimately, James is going to decide on his own timeline. If his past free agencies are any indication, nobody will know where he's going until the contract is already signed.
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