Report: LeBron James texted Kevin Durant about joining up in Los Angeles
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reported Thursday on the show First Take that LeBron James texted Kevin Durant about joining forces in Los Angeles. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, Calif. - ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said he got two phone calls related to a proposition involving Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant and Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James joining forces in Los Angeles.
Thursday morning on the show First Take, Smith said the following:
“As it pertains to LeBron James and LA, we know that the reports have been that he’s making some phone calls. I got two phone calls last night – after hours – with folks telling me that LeBron James reached out to Kevin Durant via text about coming to Los Angeles.”
There’s two LA teams – the Lakers and the Clippers – and Smith does not make clear which one James is talking about. And he does not know what Durant’s response was to James. But another unnamed source reportedly told him Durant’s thoughts on the subject.
“Behind the scenes, Kevin Durant was like, ‘Why would I do that?’” Smith said.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP has said multiple times that he intends to resign with the Warriors -- a team he's won two championships in two years with -- this summer. What’s been unclear is how long of a contract he might sign and how much it will be worth.
On Friday, Durant can officially decline his player option and then free agency opens up Saturday night. Regardless of whether or not this report has much merit, opening week of free agency is poised to be highly eventful.