(Reuters) Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James called a report about him possibly joining the Golden State Warriors this summer as “nonsense” and “a non-story.”
League sources told ESPN on Thursday that James would listen to the Warriors if a max salary slot becomes available.
“The first thing I did was start laughing, actually,” James told reporters Friday. “It’s nonsense. It’s a non-story. I think it’s a discredit to what I’m trying to do here.”
“It’s been so many stories about me in the last few months and the last few days about where I’m going and where I’m at and what place I’m in. I’m here, I’m right here, I’m right now and this is my present and this is where I’m at. If you don’t hear something come from my voice then it’s not true. I don’t give a damn how close they are. … If it’s not from me, it’s not true.”
According to the ESPN report, if the Warriors could clear the necessary salary cap space to accommodate the four-time MVP, James would listen to their offer “out of respect for the Warriors’ winning culture.” James, who has a player option, can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. He is expected to decline his $35.6 million player option and become an unrestricted free agent for the third time in his career, but re-signing with Cleveland also remains a possibility.
James reaffirmed he is focused on getting the Cavaliers back to the NBA Finals.
“I will handle my summer situation when my summer gets here,” James said yesterday.