Cavaliers HC Kenny Atkinson Drops Cryptic Message Amid LeBron James Rumors
· Yahoo Sports
Of course, the Cleveland Cavaliers had to do their part. It seems like everyone with a chance to sign LeBron James is making a recruiting pitch. Whether it’s a Philadelphia 76ers executive, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ head coach, or a Golden State Warriors rookie, everyone is chiming in.
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Now, Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson has become the latest to join the fray during the NBA Summer League.
Kenny Atkinson Hints at Cavaliers Signing LeBron James
The Cavaliers are already set for long-term success after winning 52 games during Atkinson’s second season in Cleveland. He helped take them to the Eastern Conference finals. Yet, James could be the missing piece that puts the team over the top.
During the Cavaliers’ Summer League contest against the Detroit Pistons, Atkinson joined the broadcast and alluded to their ongoing free-agency pitch to James in a cryptic yet hopeful way.
“You guys know there’s a little free agency thing going on right now,” Atkinson said. “So, that could be our real jump, and you know what I’m talking about. So, that’s exciting, too.”
Obviously, Atkinson is hinting at the biggest fish left in the pond, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader. By all accounts, Cleveland is very much still in the race to sign James. The opportunity to return home and help the new-era Cavaliers win an NBA title may be too good to pass up.
Of course, there are a few other enticing opportunities out there, too. James could be making the final destination decision of his legendary basketball career. It’s not a choice that should be made in haste. Yet, he and his team have been here before. Each time he’s joined a different team in free agency, James has won a championship in his second season with his new club.
However, this time around, the 41-year-old may not make it to a second season of play with whatever team he joins. The NBA’s oldest active player has already played 23 seasons and is currently stretching out for a 24th.
When James signs his next contract, it could be one-and-done, so it only makes sense for him to want to maximize his opportunity. The question is, will that decision lead him back home to Cleveland or to another destination? Either way, the pressure will be on to win his fifth championship in his first go-around, rather than waiting for Year 2.