LeBron James on Friday called reports this week that he would consider playing for the Warriors "nonsense" and "a non-story," while reiterating that his primary focus is on the Cavaliers reaching the NBA Finals this season.
“The first thing I did was start laughing, actually." James told reporters (via USA Today) of when he heard ESPN's report Thursday that topped virtually every U.S. sports website. “It’s nonsense. It’s a non-story. I think it’s a discredit to what I’m trying to do here."
James, instead, is focused on the present, and "will handle my summer situation when my summer get here."
James has a player option but can become an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Cavaliers (30-20) are enduring a tumultuous season, dotted with injuries, intrigue and uncertainty. Entering Friday's games, Cleveland was in third place in the Eastern Conference, six games back of the first-place Celtics and four behind the Raptors.
"It’s been so many stories about me in the last few months and the last few days about where I’m going and where I’m at and what place I'm in," he told reporters. "I’m here, I'm right here, I'm right now and this is my present and this is where I'm at. If you don’t hear something come from my voice then it’s not true. I don’t give a damn how close they are. … If it’s not from me, it’s not true."
His profile and contract status make for intriguing fodder, but, he says, "please, for the rest of the season, don’t ask me about nothing else, no other team, unless we’re competing against them the next night."
