The LeBron James sweepstakes continue as the former Los Angeles Lakers superstar hasn’t announced where he’ll play next. James is reportedly still gauging his options almost three weeks into free agency.
Showtime Lakers legend Byron Scott, on Monday’s “Byron Scott’s Fast Break,” shared his thoughts on the wait for James to make a decision.
LeBron James Free Agency: Lakers Legend Byron Scott Sounds Alarm on Ongoing Sweepstakes
The popular narrative behind the delay is a combination of the offers James has reportedly received and the NBA’s all-time scoring king carefully evaluating his options.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, said early this month that at least 10 teams were in contention to land the four-time NBA Finals MVP.
Scott, though, had a different take.
“I get it. We’re gonna get a whole lotta LeBron lovers just gonna be hating on us. … Ten years ago, yes, every team was calling to get LeBron James on their team. Now, Rich Paul and company are making all the calls to see who is interested.”
“… As far as teams looking at him right now, the teams are also saying, ‘All right, we’re gonna take him for one year, maybe two. Do we wanna take all other (expletive) that goes along with it?’” Scott said
Scott emphasized that James is still playing at an elite level and could maintain that level for the next two years, but the teams are wary of the alleged baggage the 22-time All-Star brings.
The former NBA star named the “antics,” “Rich Paul and those guys,” and “Bronny James” as part of the package when signing James.
Scott said at the beginning of the show that despite the wait, James isn’t “holding anybody captive anymore. … Ten years ago, everybody was calling him. Now, he calling everybody.”
This offseason is the longest James has stayed in free agency.
On July 1, 2010, he became an unrestricted free agent. Seven days later, he made “The Decision,” to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat.
James was once again an unrestricted free agent exactly four years later, after opting out of the final two years of his contract with the Heat. The superstar forward took 10 days before writing “I’m Coming Home” to return to Cleveland.
In 2018, James declined a player option to become an unrestricted free agent. On the first day of free agency, he agreed to join the Lakers.
Free agency started on June 30 this year, but James has yet to make a decision about his future.
For Scott, the delay isn’t purely because James is weighing his options. The 2008 NBA Head Coach of the Year added that teams are also evaluating their willingness to bring the 41-year-old superstar in and deal with the alleged “drama” that comes with him.
Olden Polynice, the podcast’s guest, was on the same boat as the host. Polynice claimed that the only teams that have shown interest in the four-time MVP are those who want to sign him “on the cheap.”
