‘I Don’t Like the Roster in Miami at All’ — LeBron James’ Ex-Teammate Argues 4-Time MVP Has ‘Only 2 Options’ in Free Agency
· Yahoo Sports
LeBron James remains a free agent over three weeks since he announced his decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers. Despite uncertainty about his next destination, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Minnesota Timberwolves are reportedly still ahead of a pack of teams trying to sign him.
On Tuesday, a former teammate of the four-time MVP named two teams James should consider but urged him to go to one that fits him best.
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LeBron James Free-Agency Rumors: Ex-Teammate Doesn’t See Miami as a Fit
James said on Thursday during a live taping of his “Mind the Game” podcast at the Fanatics Fest that he wasn’t ready to make the decision. The 41-year-old’s agent, Rich Paul, has also emphasized that James is in no rush to end his free agency despite mounting outside pressure.
As the four-time NBA champ continues to weigh his options, Channing Frye, one of his former Cavaliers teammates, urged him to avoid one team and go to another.
“I think the only two options are Cleveland and Miami. I don’t like the roster in Miami at all. Not enough shooters. Giannis (Antetokounmpo) plays more of a Jokic-style basketball where he has to have the ball in his hands. Now you’re making LeBron (James) a spot-up shooter,” Frye said on Yahoo Sports Daily.
“Him and James Harden would be a pretty good matchup (in Cleveland). I talked to James the other night, and he said, ‘We’re just waiting on big fella.’”
The Heat emerged as serious contenders to land James after winning the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes. The two-time MVP forms an intriguing partnership with Bam Adebayo that could entice James to return to Miami.
Frye is advising him not to go to South Beach, as the podcaster doesn’t see a clean fit for James. According to the podcaster, Antetokounmpo’s role could take the ball off James, a situation that Frye doesn’t want for his close friend.
Miami added Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency, but the 2016 NBA champ isn’t convinced the Heat have enough shooting to surround James, Adebayo, and Antetokounmpo.
Cleveland seems to have the more balanced team, with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in the paint and Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Max Strus, and Sam Merrill providing outside shooting.
However, Cleveland has defensive holes that others have been pointing out. James’ addition might not solve the Cavaliers’ issues on that end. The Cavs were swept in the Eastern Conference finals partly because the New York Knicks relentlessly hunted Harden and Mitchell on defense.
Interestingly, Iman Shumpert, one of James and Frye’s teammates on that 2016 championship-winning Cavs team, is urging the 21-time All-NBA to stay away from Cleveland.
Shumpert claimed that by returning home, the league’s all-time scoring great will get a “legacy” tour but not compete for a title.
The analysis and the pressure will go on until James decides. For Frye, regardless of where James plays next, the veteran should take his time to evaluate his options.