A rumor is sometimes just that, but when it involves LeBron James it’s bound to create some conversation. In the case of James potentially being open to joining the team he’s faced the last three times in the NBA Finals, just about everyone was talking about the possibility of LeBron to the Warriors.
The easy answer when it comes to those possibilities is Kevin Durant’s stance: it ain’t happening. But Durant can say that, or anything about it for that matter, because he’s a player for the Warriors and nothing more.
If he were, say, the general manager of the Warriors, though, he could get into a lot more trouble for saying anything about the possibilities of James joining the team. Tampering is a serious issue in the NBA, and a GM talking about his desire to get a potential free agent while that player is still under contract with another team isn’t exactly kosher.
That’s why the media was careful when talking to Warriors GM Bob Myers on Thursday, with one reporter asking about a hypothetical player that sounds a lot like LeBron James.
Bob Myers opens pre-deadline presser saying he can't talk about players on another team, reporter asks him about a "hypothetical 6-foot-8 power forward" pic.twitter.com/J5GUpycDTW
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 1, 2018
It’s a funny moment, especially given Myers’ reminder that he can’t talk about this hypothetical best player in the league. But with head coach Steve Kerr, members of the media got a bit more forward.
When one reporter asked directly about LeBron, Kerr dismissed the question and reminded everyone there that he’s not about to catch a fine.
Reporter: "Would (LeBron) be a guy you'd want to coach?"
Steve Kerr: "You're really going to ask that? Do you want me to get my checkbook out? Do you want me to make it out to Adam Silver or the NBA or…?"— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 1, 2018
So for now we’ll have to just take KD’s word on this issue: a solid no. Maybe Myers and Kerr can both laugh about this once LeBron has a contract signed in a few months, wherever that may be. But for now, they’re both staying mum.
