On Saturday, LeBron James will make his decision weather to opt into the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers, worth $35.6 million, or become a free agent.
What James will do remains to be seen, but a number of reports have LeBron eyeing a possible move to the Los Angeles Lakers, on the contingency that he could entice another superstar to join him.
Disgruntled Spurs star forward Kawhi Leonard has been reported as the most likely to make the move with James, but according to ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, LeBron has also been gauging the interest of reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant.
“As it pertains to LeBron James in LA, the reports have been that he’s been making some phone calls or what have you,” Smith said on First Take. “I got two phone calls last night, after hours, with folks telling me that LeBron James reached out to Kevin Durant.
“Actually Kevin Durant, you know that dude, the two time reigning NBA Finals MVP. You know that guy, one of the top three players in the world. That guy, who spent the last two years beating LeBron James in the NBA Finals. Well LeBron James reached out to Kevin Durant via text, from what I’m told, about coming to Los Angeles.”
According to Smith, Durant isn’t interested.
“I don’t know what Kevin Durant’s response to him was. That is not the information that I got but I will tell you what I did hear, is that Kevin Durant behind the scenes was like ‘Why would I do that? As far as I’m concerned LeBron James is a big time player or what have you, but the way I look at it I should be perceived as the best in the world. I’m the reigning two-time champion, I’m the reigning two-time NBA Finals MVP, why would I think about doing something like that?’”
According to @stephenasmith, LeBron James has reached out to Kevin Durant about joining him in Los Angeles. (via @FirstTake) pic.twitter.com/9d77xEdbsI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 28, 2018
Durant has already said that he will re-sign with the Warriors this offseason