LeBron James reportedly landed in Los Angeles on Saturday—just one day before free agents can begin negotiating with NBA teams.
SportsCenter tweeted a video of a plane landing at Van Nuys Airport in L.A. and added that a source told ESPN that James had flown from Anguilla to Los Angeles aboard it:
A source tells ESPN LeBron James was on this plane that flew into Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles Saturday. The private jet pictured flew from Anguilla, where James was vacationing.
ESPN’s Arash Markazi then tweeted photos of LeBron at the airport:
LeBron James landing in Los Angeles.
Markazi also met fans who were camping out to see James:
This helicopter has been waiting for LeBron presumably for the last 20 minutes. The only thing he’s seen so far is me devouring my Animal Fries
I’m not alone out here.
James opted out of the final year of his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Last week, OddsShark released odds showing the Lakers as 4-13 favorites to sign James, while the Cavs were a distant second at 13-4.
Saturday, OddsShark revealed the Lakers had become 1-50 (-5,000) favorites to sign LeBron.
ESPN.com’s Dave McMenamin reported James will not have an in-person meeting with the Cavs before making his free-agent decision.
McMenamin didn’t mention whether the Lakers would get an in-person meeting, but he added James’ agent, Rich Paul, planned to conduct business over the phone.
Also, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst (via Deadspin’s Giri Nathan) reported Friday that LeBron was planning to decide while surrounded by friends in the Caribbean.
His arrival in Los Angeles could be a sign that LeBron’s mind is made up; however, he cannot speak to teams until Sunday and is not free to officially sign a contract until July 6.
LeBron may be in line to leave the Cavs via free agency for the second time, as he previously signed with the Miami Heat in 2010.
James returned to lead the Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals, as well as the first championship in franchise history in 2016.
The Lakers have not reached the playoffs since 2012-13, but they are in a position to potentially end that drought in 2018-19.
L.A. has enough cap space to add James and another superstar player such as free-agent Paul George or San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard.
The Lakers and Spurs have reportedly held trade discussions regarding Leonard.
It remains possible James’ landing in Los Angeles has nothing to do with his free-agent decision, since he has a home in L.A.
Courtesy: Bleacher Report
