Remember when LeBron James took those elaborate pitch meetings from NBA teams when he first tested free agency in 2010?
Apparently, we won't be seeing a circus at the IMG building this time around. ESPN reported Monday that LeBron is comfortable enough with the landscape of the NBA, that he doesn't need to be sold on what various teams have to offer.
My colleague Ben Axelrod speculated that this could be the sign of positive news for the Cavaliers. Think about it: That James apparently doesn't feel the need to take part in elaborate pitch meetings could mean that he -- at least in part -- has his mind made up.
We will get some clue on Friday. That's the deadline for James to pick up the player option on his Cavs contract for 2018-19, which would pay him just over $35 million dollars. If he doesn't pick up the option, that's not necessarily bad news for the Cavs. In fact, neither Jimmy nor I expect the King to opt-in this week.
The Lakers are really the only other team that has the cap space at the start of free agency to sign James. But unless they pull off a Kawhi Leonard trade (I'd be stunned) or get Paul George over there, it's unlikely that LeBron will see LaLa land as a viable championship option. Other teams of interest, like Houston and Philadelphia will have to make moves in order to get cap space to sign LeBron. Anything is possible, but many league observers are starting to think it's a two-team race between Cleveland and Los Angeles.
No matter what happens, brace yourselves for a frantic next two weeks.
Also....
Apparently 'approach' was the theme of the day with Jimmy and I. In addition to discussing LeBron's different approach in free agency, 'the Voice of the Browns' wanted to get something off of his chest about how the preseason and training camp in Berea should be approached this year.
For years, the Browns have handled preseason like most other NFL teams when it comes to preparing the regulars for the start of the season:
- Starters play a series or two in Game 1
- They'll play a quarter or so in Game 2
- They play the first half in Game 3
- They sit out Game 4 and wear the ball caps
Is this really the best way to prepare a young team for a season? Especially since the Browns are 1-18 in regular season openers since they returned to the league in 1999.
It's an interesting debate and something that should be brought up with Head Coach Hue Jackson when the Browns begin training camp next month.
Watch the Donovan Live Postgame Show in the player above