And on the third day of free agency, news regarding the biggest NBA free agent began to come out.
According to a USA Today Sports report, at least three teams that have hopes of landing LeBron James — the Cavaliers, Mavericks and Suns — met with his agent, Rich Paul, in Cleveland. ESPN reported the Rockets also made a pitch to Paul.
ESPN also reported Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert — who infamously excoriated James in an open letter upon his signing with the Heat in 2010 — has either met or will be meeting with Paul soon, while Lakers general Mitch Kupchak was en route to Cleveland on Thursday night and intends to meet with Paul on Friday. Suns owner Robert Sarver met with Paul on Wednesday.
James is currently on vacation with his family, and has trusted his agent to handle the early stages of his free agency. He is scheduled to attend the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro July 13.
So far, the Heat have been unable to add quality talent to entice James to stay in South Beach, as two of their targets — point guard Kyle Lowry and center Marcin Gortat — decided to re-sign with their old teams in Toronto and Washington, respectively.
Sources told ESPN that Miami is targeting shooters Anthony Morrow and Alan Anderson, and are also interested in Pau Gasol. The Heat are expected to meet with the Lakers’ big man.
The Heat have $55 million in cap space following the opt-outs of James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and the only player under contract is point guard Norris Cole.
James is demanding a maximum contract, and a Yahoo! Sports report stated Wade and Bosh are “still reluctant” to take severe pay cuts. Unless Wade and/or Bosh make financial sacrifices, the means for Heat president Pat Riley to surround James with enough talent become tougher.