LeBron James can be a free agent this summer if he chooses to opt-out of his deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers. If that happens, he’s going to make the decision regarding where he’ll play next on his own terms — and not based on any summer salesmanship.
LeBron James isn’t interested in your pitch meetings, needy NBA teams
Just put it all on a billboard, thanks.
Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images
Sources close to James told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne the four-time NBA MVP isn’t interested in hearing sales pitches from general managers and executives this offseason. Instead, he’ll rely on his 15 seasons of pro experience to guide his decision.
While James hasn’t decided yet whether to pick up his player option, sources close to the situation tell ESPN that he has no intention of hearing elaborate pitch meetings from teams.
James might meet or speak with a club official or owner at some point, but the elaborate presentations that have become common in NBA free agency over the years are unnecessary after 15 seasons in the league.
Should James become a free agent, league sources believe he and his agents Rich Paul and Mark Termini have enough understanding of the stakes and NBA landscape to handle the process without much fanfare.
That will make things easy for front offices across the league. Graphics interns won’t have to worry about Photoshopping their team’s jersey onto old pictures of James holding up the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Jumbotron operators won’t have to broadcast specially-cut highlights of local fans going wild as proof of just how loud the Oscar Mayer Lunchables Arena can get. No five-star celebrity sommeliers will have to be bussed in to serve James a vintage cabernet at half court.
It’s a logical progression for the veteran. When he hit the free market in 2010, he listed to pitches from the Knicks, Clippers, Cavaliers, Heat, and more. In 2014, he limited his pre-signing meetings to tete-a-tetes with the Heat and Cavs. In 2018, he’s going to skip the fanfare entirely.
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