Rumors about Cleveland’s third LeBron James are heating up, but an anonymous NBA Scout didn’t buy it.
“I keep hearing that their interest is minimal,” the scout told Hoopswire’s Sam Amico. “So, I’m not even sure who the report originated. Who is the source? The clean lady of the wealthy Paul? … I think LeBron, 40, is the target. At least on offense, he’s still very good, at least on offense, that doesn’t work.
The Cavaliers are reportedly considered a potential landing site after James chose the Lakers’ $52.6 million player option. However, the Scouts believed that Cleveland was focused on his young core.
“He won’t go anywhere, and if he goes somewhere, it won’t be Cleveland,” the scout added. “The Cavaliers don’t need him. They built great things there. Anyway, I don’t think he’s putting them on top at this stage of his career.”
Even so, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne reported that “a few teams” checked James.
“A Eastern Conference director is convinced that James wants to leave Los Angeles,” Windhorst and Shelburne reported. “The few teams – including the Golden State Warriors who tried to trade James in 2023-24, are again considering whether to make an offer.
Windhorst later doubled when he showed up at ESPN Cleveland.
“And if the Lakers trade LeBron James, they’re going to want something really good,” he said. “With a face facing, I can’t say it’s impossible, but you have to understand that they can’t trade for him.”
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