LeBron James

LeBron Hopes To Table Contract Talk For Season

With LeBron James less than 10 months away from potentially becoming a free agent, it's fair to assume he'll receive plenty of questions about his future from the media this season. However, LeBron doesn't intend to discuss his contract situation throughout the year, according to ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst. Windhorst writes that the four-time MVP plans to address it briefly on the first day of camp, then table the subject until after the season.

James, a few years removed from "The Decision," has been much more reserved when it comes to discussing his future this time around. According to Windhorst, LeBron even hopes to squash free agency talk within his inner circle.

"All LeBron is thinking about is winning a third straight title," said agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports. "He has no interest in talking about next season and everyone around him knows it."

As we heard earlier today, the 28-year-old intends to focus solely on the Heat's success on the court this season, as the team attempts to win its third straight title. He has yet to make any decisions about next summer, and that's fine with Heat president Pat Riley.

"I don't know LeBron's stance," Riley said. "He'll probably say one time, 'I'll talk about it next year.' We haven't discussed it yet, but we will. I'll tell him the main thing is to make sure the main thing remains the main thing. And the main thing is to win the championship."

When next July does roll around, there's no guarantee that James will even opt out of his current contract, which doesn't expire until 2016. LeBron will have an early termination option next summer, and a player option the following summer, which means he could choose to opt out either year. But even if he does elect free agency, he wouldn't necessarily be committing to leaving Miami, since he'd have the option of negotiating a new long-term deal with the Heat.

Of course, just because LeBron doesn't want to discuss his contract situation until after the season, that doesn't mean we won't hear plenty of rumors and speculation over the next several months. For now though, it seems that the Heat superstar won't be fueling the rumor mill with any quotes of his own.

Eastern Notes: LeBron, Hawks, Heat, Sixers

With his free agency potentially less than a year away, LeBron James continues to brush off questions about his future. Most recently, it was ESPN.com's Chris Broussard who asked the Heat superstar about his plans for the summer of 2014.

"I have absolutely no idea," James said. "I would love to spend the rest of my career in Miami with this great team and great organization as we continue to compete for championships. That's ideal. But we don't know what may happen from now to the end of the season. That's the nature of the business. It's the nature of not knowing what tomorrow brings."

As the reigning MVP continues to focus on the coming season, let's check out a few more notes from around the Eastern Conference:

  • Former Texas-San Antonio guard Chris Allen will work out for the Hawks today, according to Shams Charania of RealGM.com (via Twitter).
  • Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel believes 2012 second-rounder Justin Hamilton is more likely to start the 2013/14 season with the Heat's D-League affiliate in Sioux Falls, rather than with the NBA club.
  • Sixers second-round pick Arsalan Kazemi may be headed to Iran for the coming season, tweets Mark Porcaro of Secret Rival. That news isn't confirmed yet, and wasn't included in the daily update of our international player movement tracker, but we did hear earlier this summer that the Oregon product was expected to play overseas in 2013/14.

Kyler’s Latest: Pelicans, Knicks, Heat

Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld continues to examine potential trade situations for various NBA teams, today focusing on the Pelicans, Knicks, and Heat. Let's check out Kyler's NBA AM piece and round up a few of the highlights….

  • The Pelicans' lack of a "bruising inside player" could be cause for concern, according to Kyler, who says that the team may look into acquiring a true center if Anthony Davis struggles in his minutes at the five.
  • J.R. Smith's health will be one of the big questions for the Knicks this season, as the reigning Sixth Man of the Year recovers from knee surgery. If he's unable to return to 100% health, or has any setbacks, New York could target a replacement via trade, though the club likely wouldn't get aggressive until close to the deadline.
  • Those close to the situation in Miami say the Heat should be more wary of the summer of 2015 than 2014, according to Kyler. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh each essentially have player options in each of the next two offseasons, so any or all of the Big Three could opt out in either '14 or '15.
  • Kyler views Bosh and Wade as good bets to play out their current contracts, since neither player is likely to receive a raise in free agency. LeBron could obviously land a bigger long-term deal if he opts out, but he's unlikely to leave Miami while Wade and Bosh are still healthy and productive, says Kyler.
  • The Heat have several expiring contracts that could be used to faciliate deals at the 2014 trade deadline, if necessary, and Kyler notes that the team essentially has zero guaranteed money committed for 2014/15, meaning Miami could be in position to add even more talent. I'm not sure how realistic that is though — if we assume Bosh, Wade, Udonis Haslem, and Joel Anthony all opt in, and the Heat pick up Norris Cole's option, that takes team salary for '14/15 up over $51MM, and that's not even counting LeBron.

Poll: Who’d Make The Best NBPA President?

We learned tonight that Chris Paul will replace Derek Fisher as the president of the NBA Players Association.  It is no secret that Paul is exceptionally popular among the NBA's players and fans, as Sean Deveney of Sporting News writes in his story about Paul's new position.  Deveney also notes that the point guard has been involved in the union since he was a rookie, which allows him to utilize star power and knowledge in a position and union that desperately need both.

Since rumors of LeBron James eyeing the position surfaced in late July, the idea of a league star as the union front man has been universally advocated after more than a decade without one.  But is that advocacy on point?  And if so, is CP3 the man to prove it?  There are a lot of new faces in new roles this year, from commissioner to NBPA president, so this selection could have legitimate ramifications.  Let us know what you think, and feel free to elaborate in the comments section. 

Odds & Ends: James, Bowen, Kidd, Lin, Wright

After tonight's announcement from the NBA Player's Association, we can officially shut the door on any talk that LeBron James should assume the union's head position.  What we don't know about James, however, are his intentions after the upcoming season, when he can opt out of his current deal with the Heat.  James kept quiet about his plans on an interview that aired on the new Fox Sports 1 on Tuesday night, writes HoopsWorld's Alex Kennedy, who expects James to keep his options open.

Here are some other news and notes from around the league:

  • The Kings have named Ryan Bowen as an assistant coach and assistant director of player development, the team announced today in a press release.  Bowen spent the past two seasons as an assistant with the Nuggets, where he spent two stints as a player.  He also played in Houston, New Orleans and Oklahoma City in his NBA playing career.
  • Jason Kidd is ready to make the transition from player to coach with the Nets, writes Fran Blinebury of NBA.com, who lists Tom Heinsohn, Billy Cunningham and Larry Bird among those who have walked a similar path with success.
  • Speaking at a youth conference in Taiwan, Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin said he put too much pressure on himself in his first year in Houston and it resulted in his coaches losing faith in him, according to an ESPN news release.  Lin will need to rediscover his confidence quickly considering the expectations in Houston this season.
  • Dorell Wright says his trust in Blazers general manager Neil Olshey was a big factor in his agreement to sign with Portland, writes Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune.  Wright said he envisions himself as a bench player, and that he expects the Blazers to vie for a playoff spot.

Odds & Ends: Union, Lucas, Draft, Brown

With the offseason winding down, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld identified who the real contenders will be in 2013/14.  The back-to-back champion Heat top the list with some of the other usual suspects, including the Spurs and Thunder.  The Bulls should be vaulted back into contention with the long-awaited return of Derrick Rose.  The Clippers are a bona fide contender after re-signing Chris Paul, landing Doc Rivers as coach, and adding J.J. Redick.  The Nets, who now boast the most expensive roster in the NBA by far, hope to be among the league's elite with first-time coach Jason Kidd at the helm.  And of course, the Rockets will be one of the most intriguing teams to keep an eye on after luring Dwight Howard away from L.A.  Here's more from around the Association..

  • NBPA executive committee member Jerry Stackhouse told Ken Berger of CBSSports.com that LeBron James' comments about the union felt like a "kick in the stomach".  "I don't think he's had any dialogue with anybody since the All-Star break, but it is what it is," Stackhouse said. "To make that statement about where we are as a union right now, he was misinformed."
  • Point guard John Lucas III was a safe choice for the Jazz, in the sense that he won't threaten Trey Burke or expect to be the main one-guard for the long-term.  However, Utah believes they have more than a capable stop-gap and more than a positive locker room influence in the veteran, writes Bill Oram of the Salt Lake Tribune.
  • Chad Ford of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd) runs down the 2014 NBA Draft and notes that its remarkable depth could make it the best ever.  Ford's latest big board has Andrew Wiggins at the top, followed by Kentucky's Julius Randle, Australian Dante Exum, Duke's Jabari Parker, and Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart.
  • Sean Deveney of the Sporting News gives his immediate and long-term outlook for the league's 13 new coaches.  The list starts with the latest hire, 76ers coach Brett Brown.
  • Jordan Hill's summer assignment is to become the stretch four that the Lakers need, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com.  Hill missed 53 games last year, mostly because of back and hip trouble.

LeBron James Won’t Run For NBPA Presidency

7:25pm: James might throw his support behind the possible candidacy of Jones, a source told Brian Windhorst of ESPN.com

6:26pm: After days of "careful consideration and research," LeBron James has decided he will not run for president or first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association, a person familiar with James' decision told Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today.  James was said to be giving it serious consideration due to concerns about the direction of the union.

Ultimately, James decided that he doesn't have enough time at this point in his career to give a top position in the union attention that it requires.  James called Heat teammate and NBPA secretary-treasurer James Jones earlier today to inform him of his decision.  The two-time NBA champion has been aware all along that his packed schedule could preclude him from pursuing lead job with the union, despite his interest.

"I'm not sure I have the time to do it, but it's something I'm going to think about with my team and go from there," James said last week. "But I think we all can agree there's been a lot of transition in our union in the last couple of years. If it's not me in that seat then I hope it's someone who is comfortable with it and can do the job."

Yesterday, Hoops Rumors readers correctly predicted that James ultimately wouldn't run for NBPA president.  The union will have to pick a successor to Derek Fisher in the near future as well as an executive director to take over for the ousted Billy Hunter

Poll: Will LeBron James Serve As NBPA President?

LeBron James is a pretty busy guy, but it's possible that his schedule is going to get even more crowded in the coming months.  In addition to chasing his third NBA title and his fifth MVP trophy, James could make a run at the presidency of the National Basketball Players Association.  James wouldn't be the first star player to hold the mantle, but he would be the first since Patrick Ewing was at the helm from September 1997-July 2001.  James knows that he would be stretched pretty thin if he goes through with it, but he sounds serious about the idea.

"I'm not sure I have the time to do it, but it's something I'm going to think about with my team and go from there," James said yesterday. "But I think we all can agree there's been a lot of transition in our union in the last couple of years. If it's not me in that seat then I hope it's someone who is comfortable with it and can do the job."

While the likes of Ewing, Isiah Thomas, Buck Williams, Alex English, Bob Lanier, Oscar Robertson, and Bob Cousy have served as the NBPA president, the last three men to spearhead the union (Michael Curry, Antonio Davis, and Derek Fisher) have had lighter workloads.  At the same time, the NBPA is still reeling from a serious scandal and a CBA that tilted things back in the favor of the owners.  Ultimately, will LeBron go through with it?

Odds & Ends: James, Bobcats, Bucks, Cavs

There are a lot of contenders to the Eastern Conference crown that LeBron James and his Heat teammates have worn the last three seasons. James knows he's got to keep getting better if he wants to remain on top next year and advance to his fourth NBA Finals in his four seasons in Miami.

Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel caught up James during his charity event in Akron today to discuss all the wheeling and dealing in the Eastern Conference this off-season. 

James is aware that the Heat face an even harder field in the Eastern Conference next season, and he's doing everything in his power to meet the challenge, telling Richardson, "I've seen what so many teams have done to get better. I've seen the moves that we've made, so I've got to do my part."

Here's what else is happening around the league on Saturday night:

LeBron James On Possible NBPA Presidency

Late last month, Jason Whitlock of Fox Sports revealed that LeBron James was considering a run for the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Presidency, which has remained vacant since Derek Fisher's term expired this summer. 

Today James told ESPN's Brian Windhorst that "my voice could be huge in that situation." As Windhorst notes, the NBPA has come under scrutiny recently after the 2011 CBA negotiations saw the players ceding a significant portion of the league's basketball related income to ownership. 

The loss of revenue in CBA negotiations was followed by a scandal involving Fisher and the union's former executive director Billy Hunter involving the use of the union's finances. With all the invective surrounding the NBPA over the last couple years, James has thrown his hat into the ring as the next possible President, with his clout as the league's preeminent star his biggest selling point for the role.

James believes the NBPA is due for an overhaul, saying "I just think the union is going backwards, and it's not in a good place right now." But as the game's best player, the league's biggest name overseas, and a global marketing phenomenon, James might not have the time to serve in that role. 

"I'm not sure I have the time to do it, but it's something I'm going to think about with my team and go from there," James revealed to Windhorst on Saturday after an event for his foundation in his hometown of Akron. "But I think we all can agree there's been a lot of transition in our union in the last couple of years. If it's not me in that seat then I hope it's someone who is comfortable with it and can do the job."

The last NBA star to hold the role of NBPA President was Knicks center Patrick Ewing, who served in that capacity more than a decade ago. The union's summer meeting is later in August, and Whitlock wrote that the earliest decision on electing a new NBPA President could come towards the end of August.