A few days ago, Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James said that “it would be amazing” if the purple and gold could acquire Anthony Davis. Several executives among small market teams were reportedly upset with James' comments, suggesting that he was tampering with the New Orleans Pelicans superstar. The public also stood up in arms, having the same sentiments.
But let's look back to last season, shall we? As pointed out by Joe Vardon of The Athletic, Philadelphia 76ers star duo Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid also made their low-key campaigns to LeBron to come and complete The Process.
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However, as Vardon noted, Embiid and Simmons' open pitch for the four-time MVP to join them in free agency did not generate any huge outrage from the public or other executives. But obviously, their pitches didn't work as James chose to go a different route with the purple and gold.
It's ridiculous to accuse LeBron of tampering as he was merely asked to comment on reports that the Lakers are piling up assets to get Davis. Seriously, though, what do you want him to say? Reporters asked him a question, and he answered it honestly.
Davis is still under contract with New Orleans through next season, with $27.1 million left in his deal, and a player option in 2020-21 which he is most likely to decline. With the Pelicans slowly failing to build a championship team around their franchise superstar, many are expecting him to look elsewhere to be on a legitimate title contender.
Davis also aligned himself with James' agent, Klutch Sports, in the off-season, which floated around the Davis-to-Lakers rumors. With James' comments, those rumors only flared up further.
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