Free agent forward LeBron James is reportedly “irritated” by pressure from NBA commissioner Adam Silver and league officials to finalize his decision among his top suitors: the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and others.
At last week’s Fanatics Fest, Silver explained why a prolonged decision by James was not in the league’s best interest.
“…Where LeBron plays will affect the schedule,” Silver said.
“So I would like him to make his announcement already, so we can finish the schedule, because, as you might imagine, the teams are calling us, the networks are calling us, and everybody wants to lock in the schedule.
“But it will influence how we set the schedule, how we set opening week, Christmas Day, etc. So I need him to make a decision,” the commissioner added.
LeBron James Free Agency Drags On
According to Cleveland radio host Andy Baskin, James was prepared to make his announcement last week but delayed it after being ticked off by Silver’s comments.
“Here’s what I was told yesterday about the whole LeBron situation. Last week, LeBron’s crew was probably ready to make an announcement, especially because they were in New York,” Baskin said on 92.3 The Fan, via New York Post.
“The world had their eyes on New York because of the World Cup as well. They were probably comfortable making an announcement as early as last week,” he added.
“And then, people were telling them what to do. There’s a little bit of irritation…”
Baskin added that James, who is 24 days into his free agency, may further delay his decision just to irk the NBA and its media partners.
“Irritated was the word I was told, by the commissioner pushing them…so they decided to hold back,” added the insider.
Rich Paul Responds to Adam Silver
Rich Paul, the agent of LeBron James, also sounded rather annoyed while reacting to Silver’s comments on his “Game Over” podcast earlier this week.
“I saw Adam in New York and we discussed it,” Paul said of the LeBron James free agency dragging on for weeks.
“And like I said, it’s still his choice. So if he doesn’t really know, you can’t rush it. You can’t rush it.”
On the same podcast, Paul made it clear that James won’t succumb to peer pressure and hurry his decision, even if it upsets the NBA.
“We’re not going to be rushed,” Paul stressed on Monday.
“We’re not going to be rushed. It’s his choice to make and when he makes the choice, he’ll make it.”
LeBron James Free Agency Takes Bizarre Turn After New Report