LeBron James is getting in a New York state of mind, according to one longtime NBA observer.
“From what my sources tell me, he still hasn’t made a final decision, but he’s higher on New York now than he was a month ago,” Stephen A. Smith told ESPN Radio on Friday. “And the reality is that he is leaning more towards New York than he is towards returning to Cleveland.”
The sources said James’ favor toward the Knicks played a role in Tom Izzo turning down the Cavaliers’ head coaching position.
“LeBron didn’t speak to Izzo because he doesn’t want to have anything to do with who the next coach of the Cavs is going to be just in case he leaves,” said Smith, who covers the NBA for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Izzo reportedly could not get James to talk to him while trying to decide to leave Michigan State for the NBA. The coach said he “spoke to all the people around him.”
Smith added that the sources said James’ advisers have been asking “very in-depth questions” about the Knicks organization and that the superstar may not sign with Chicago because he doesn’t want to compete with Michael Jordan’s legacy.
Another possible free agent, Chris Bosh, told SNY on Thursday he was considering the Knicks and would not wait for James to make a decision where to sign.