Analysis: The only honest answer about LeBron's future is nobody knows anything
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He's got us eating out of the palm of his hand. Photo: Rich Storry/Getty Images
I am so freaking sick of the LeBron James free agency saga — and I'm guessing you are, too.
State of play: Picture me, your dutiful Cavaliers correspondent and fan, sitting in front of my laptop every night, waiting with bated breath for a breaking news alert from ESPN's Shams Charania while scrolling through supposed intel from rage-baiting trolls, slop-slinging bots and the least credible talking heads alive — all claiming specialized knowledge about LeBron's next destination.
Reality check: No one knows jack squat.
By the numbers: LeBron has taken longer on the current free agency decision than his previous three free agency decisions combined.
- It's now been over 125 hours since he was reported to be making an announcement "within the next 48 hours."
The latest: Local sports talk personality Andy Baskin claimed this week that LeBron was ready to announce his decision days ago, but was "irritated" by pressure from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who for obvious reasons can't finalize next season's NBA schedule until he makes up his mind.
- (Whatever team LeBron plays for will command primetime TV slots and so forth.)
So we continue to wait.
Between the lines: Like others, I had operated under the assumption that LeBron's return to Cleveland was more or less a done deal.
- I viewed the leaks and scooplets and front-office pitches from teams like the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers as little more than entertainment.
- These were clowns and elephants, unwittingly doing the bidding of LeBron and his agent Rich Paul — ringmasters of one last media circus.
Yes, but: The latest out of Miami has me loosening my collar.
- The Heat have soared on prediction markets after the team's YouTube channel accidentally leaked a scheduled live stream titled "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference."
As always, LeBron is entitled to make whatever decision he thinks is best for his career and his family.
- Given the current state of the Cavs' offseason, my desire for LeBron's return is as practical as it is sentimental.
- But I'm done with the circus.
What's next: Don't expect additional coverage from us until there's something substantial to report or lament.
- We kept a hole in the newsletter all week while anticipating a decision, but we won't be burned again.