Former Nets coach Lawrence Frank says he thinks Cleveland has the edge in keeping James, but adds that the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets are both positioned well to make a run at signing him.
View full sizeWhy is Chris Bosh smiling? Because he knows that on July 1 his phone will be ringing with some lucrative offers . . . even though he is second-fiddle to LeBron James.Chasing down rumors about LeBron James' basketball future could be a full-time job. Every day we'll compile a list of the rumors we're hearing about James and his next contract. Just remember these are just rumors, not necessarily facts. It's going to be a long and rough ride, Cavs fans. Buckle up.
Speaking as a co-host on ESPN Radio's "Mike and Mike in the Morning" on Thursday, Toronto Raptors free-agent center Chris Bosh said:
"Am I waiting on LeBron? Pretty much. I think everyone has to. I have to as well. He's a great player and I would be crazy to think that all the teams that are considering him, they would talk to somebody else first. I think everybody is going to be going at him first.
Tweet doesn't smell like a rose"They'll probably call him at 12:01. Hopefully, they'll call me at 12:02."
A source told RealGM that James' representatives denied the tweet from Jalen Rose on Wednesday that said James was almost certain to leave the Cavaliers.
But what does Lawrence Frank think?
Former Nets coach Lawrence Frank told the New York Daily News he thinks Cleveland has the edge in keeping James.
"Cleveland has done everything right," Frank said. "They have an unbelievable practice facility, they changed their arena, and their payroll increases every year."
But he thinks the Knicks and Nets will represent themselves well when the time comes to woo James.
"Both teams are going to have a great opportunity to get LeBron," Frank said. "Both teams have fan support, and you've got two terrific coaches. You've got great management teams in New York and New Jersey, not just for LeBron, but for a lot of free agents."
If the team can't woo him, Bill Bradley can
Former Sen. Bill Bradley told the New York Post's Marc Berman that the Knicks have asked him to aid in the recruitment of James and/or other free agents.
"I would tell [James] there's no experience like it in the world," said Bradley, a two-time Knicks champion and Hall of Famer. "If you play on a winning team in New York, it's the best experience in sport for any player.
"People understand the game, they applaud the pass that leads to the pass that leads to the score," Bradley added. "You win in New York, it's an incomparable experience. If you lose in New York, it's an incomparable experience also. But that's what it takes."
Columnist Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times refers to James as the "whale splashing in the free-agent pond." He also writes:
"In a matter of a couple of months, the possibility of James coming to Chicago has gone from 'no way in Helsinki' to 'you know, this is so crazy, it might just work.' "
Orlando General Manager Otis Smith -- obviously fearing one of those tampering fines the league is so fond of -- didn't mention James by name, but when asked if the Magic would reach out to James on July 1, he told the Orlando Sentinel, "Shouldn't teams 1 through 30?"