Conflicting reports leave NBA insiders guessing as Rich Paul’s whiteboard sparks a frenzy. With ten teams pursuing the aging legend, a cloud of secrecy masks his final destination.
DALLAS - Who is lying about LeBron?
Or is there just a great deal of secrecy, misinformation and drama surrounding the LeBron James Sweepstakes?
Some things, we know. Or at least we think we do.
James is not planning on finalizing his decision on his next landing spot on anybody's clock but his own. That we know.
“I don’t think this happens anytime soon,” agent Rich Paul told Forbes on Saturday.
There seem to be 10 teams in contention for the services of James, who at 41 is leaving the Lakers and seeking to win his fifth NBA title (and maybe even his fifth NBA MVP award) elsewhere. That we know.
That info also comes from Paul and his quickly infamous whiteboard from his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman, as he broke down the case for the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks. That we know.
Paul has also said the move won't necessarily be about money. And specific to the Mavs, he detailed a reverse pitch focusing not on the Cooper Flagg-led roster, but rather on the business opportunities that would spring from being in Dallas. That we know.
But what we obviously don't know? Much of anything else, which has led to an assortment of conflicts in the reporting of the likes of Marc Stein and Brian Windhorst.
To wit: What does our friend Stein say about LeBron's status as we enter the week?
"The Sixers, the Timberwolves, the Heat, the Nuggets, based on everything I've been told all weekend, they all still believe they're in with a chance,'' he said, apparently adding that the Cavaliers and Warriors are also in the mix.
Meanwhile, what does Windhorst say?
His ESPN take is that the teams pursuing James are “in the dark” and have not heard from LeBron or his camp.
So .. either six teams "believe they're in'' ...
Or ... 10 teams are "in the dark.''
Which is it?
LeBron, infamous for "The Decision'' all those years ago, when he literally turned his move from Cleveland to Miami into a dramatic TV show, clearly loves the attention.
And that has led to ... secrecy, misinformation and drama. And maybe, from somebody, some LeBron Lies.
