Los Angeles Lakers fans shouldn’t be too hopeful about seeing LeBron James don purple and gold.
The chances of the Cleveland Cavaliers superstar joining the Lakers this summer as a free agent are “still a long shot,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported Friday, citing NBA sources. The Lakers reportedly are on James’ four-team shortlist of potential destinations and they’re interested in adding him to their young roster.
However he’s unwilling to allow a major upcoming decision — whether to opt out of his contract or not — to distract his team’s pursuit of another championship.
“If someone is pretending they know what LeBron is thinking, they’re guessing,” a source close to the situation told Shelburne. “How could anyone know when he doesn’t even know?”
Speculation over James’ next move is rampant, with many suggesting he’ll decide based on factors such as relationships with teammates, front-offices and fans. But one of Shelburne’s sources believes James won’t make his next career move with popularity in mind.
“His decision won’t be made to please others,” one source close to the situation says. “It’ll be made to please himself.”
Marketability and other business-related advantages Los Angeles has over other cities apparently won’t sway James’ mindset from his primary focus: basketball.
