The NBA offseason may have just taken another stunning turn.
According to Shams Charania, LeBron James is open to hearing pitches from teams around the league during free agency and would even be willing to accept a veteran minimum contract if it meant joining a legitimate championship contender.
If true, this flies in the face of his previous stance earlier this offseason of not being willing to take a discounted deal. Additionally it calls into question claims made by LeBron’s agent and chief mouthpiece Rich Paul, who said there are “10-12” teams interested in acquiring James’ services.
Despite the numbers, he put up 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season, and resume that LeBron boasts, time is not on his side and that is something even James and his camp has to be cognizant of. Teams most certainly are and it makes absolutely no fiscal sense to divert significant financial resources to this basketball Methuselah
If true, the financial flexibility created by a minimum deal would allow contenders with limited cap space to pursue one of the greatest players in NBA history.
The timing is especially notable as several franchises have aggressively reshaped their rosters during the opening hours of free agency. Teams already positioned to compete for a championship could view James as the final piece needed to make a title run.
At this juncture there is no agreement on the horizon, although the Warriors, Heat and Cavaliers have been speculated as potential landing spots.
Stay with Sneaker Shop Talk for continuing coverage of NBA free agency as news develops.
