Age truly does make you wiser.
Not only was LeBron James's 2018 free agency a dramatic departure from the suspense and theatricality of his previous stints as a hot-shot free agent, the four-time NBA Most Valuable Player eschewed everything that epitomized an NBA offseason.
There were no meetings with prospective teams and their “wining and dining” replete with garish presentations and promises of fame, fortune, and championships — not even the Philadelphia 76ers were able to get closer than a possible spot on the Rolodex, and the Denver Nuggets‘ hopes got dashed before they could even reach out — and probably for their own good. No team was led around.
There was no controversial television show about his “decision” or a feature on Sports Illustrated proclaiming he's back. There was a rumor that the announcement would be made on July 4th (which would qualify as kind of a spectacle) but in actuality, there was no set date or timetable given as to when he would make up his mind.
But with just the first day of free agency barely over, and in the most unglamorous fashion typically reserved for nondescript acquisitions – The King committed to the Los Angeles Lakers via a simple tweet by his agent Rich Paul via his Klutch Sports Group.
In addition, according to ESPN reporter Dave McMenamin, LeBron will continue to distance himself from all the glitz and fanfare that the announcement brought, and the once-again former Cleveland Cavalier is set to make his only public appearance almost a month from now in a school opening in his hometown of Akron.
There will be no further comment or press conference or welcome party for LeBron James in LA, according to a source familiar with his plans. His first public appearance after today’s news will be at the opening of his I Promise School in Akron, Ohio on July 30.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 2, 2018
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