LeBron James talked about the considerations that will go into choosing his next team during a taping of “The Shop Live” at Fanatics Fest on Friday, but he didn’t drop any clues on which way he’s leaning, Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald writes in a subscriber-only piece. However, James indicated that the chance to win a fifth championship ring will be a major factor in his decision.
“I want to compete at a high level,” he said. “I want to join a franchise that shares the same model as myself. That’s like practicing championship habits every day. But trust in the process more than anything. I think you trust the process of actually getting to that point.”
Chiang notes that the “trust the process” comment drew a reaction from the crowd because of its connections to the Sixers, who are one of the teams in pursuit of James. They’re expected to be among the favorites in the East after adding Jaylen Brown to a star-filled roster, but James made it clear that he wasn’t hinting at playing in Philadelphia, saying he’s been using that phrase since he entered the league in 2003.
“The process is what’s most important,” James said. “Because if you just fully immerse yourself in that, then the outcome will take care of itself. If you’re already worried about the championship, or you’re already worried about the playoffs, already worried about what lies ahead, then you will skip steps along that journey. So, being with a franchise, being with a group of guys that kind of has the same model.”
Chiang notes that the Heat seem to be a good fit for James’ desires, as they have a coach in Erik Spoelstra who understands “championship habits,” along with the talent to compete for a title after trading for Giannis Antetokounmpo. Miami also offers a year-round golf climate that should appeal to James’ well-known love for the game. However, James downplayed that as a factor during Fanatics Fest, saying he can always find a golf simulator if he goes to a colder city and that he prefers to concentrate on basketball during the season.
James, of course, has plenty of history in Miami, playing there from 2010-2014 and winning two titles. Familiarity is one of the reasons the Heat, along with the Cavaliers, are considered to be the favorites to land James, although he has been very guarded about releasing any information since free agency began.
Chiang points out that Miami can currently only offer James about $6.5MM of its mid-level exception due to a hard cap at the first apron that was created by the Antetokounmpo trade. The Heat have $8.5MM left on their MLE and could increase their offer by parting with salary elsewhere.
“We only have a couple of rosters spots left, so we do what we can do from that standpoint,” team president Pat Riley said Thursday. “But, yeah, we’re waiting like you guys are waiting and then things could fill up really quick.”
Here’s more on James’ looming free agency decision:
- Anthony Edwards was pessimistic about the Timberwolves‘ chances of signing James during a brief interview at Fanatics Fest (Twitter video link from Kyle Ingram). “I have nothing to say about it because I’ve seen his top three teams. We’re not in it,” Edwards said.
- Also at Fanatics Fest, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin said he’s hearing that James is likely to head east and sign with the Heat, Cavaliers or Sixers (Twitter video link). “In the conversations that I’ve had in the last 24 hours in New York City,” he said, “it seems like an Eastern Conference team will win the LeBron James sweepstakes.” McMenamin stressed that the Wolves and Warriors haven’t been told that they’re out of consideration, but noted that the East offers an easier path to the NBA Finals without having to face San Antonio and Oklahoma City along the way. McMenamin adds that James is “truly getting much closer to a decision.”
- Anthony Pendone of SI examines James’ numerous business ventures in Northeast Ohio and suggests they may be enough to lure him back to Cleveland.
