NBA Free agency is underway, and wow, what a night it was with many prominent signings. The first — and most surprising — domino, as one would say, that fell was Paul George re-signing with Oklahoma City, while not even granting his hometown Los Angeles Lakers a meeting. Well, it wasn’t a surprise to us, as we reported it a few days ago, but to many in the national media, it was a huge stunner.
As of right now, word is that Paul George is staying with Oklahoma City, source tells @theballoutmedia #Thunder #Lakers
— The Ball Out (@theballoutmedia) June 29, 2018
Don’t believe us? Did you see ESPN insider Brian Windhorst’s reaction (or coniption, just joking)? It was priceless, and it really embodied the reaction of many that cover the NBA, as many assumed it was a foregone conclusion to many, that George would head to the Lakers:
And while the George signing was huge news, the real news everyone is clamoring for is LeBron James. There’s been so many reports even before free agency even began. It was reported that at 12:01 a.m. James spoke with Cavs GM Koby Altman at the start of free agency. However, there are some rumors, that James met — and had dinner — with Magic Johnson last night:
I’m told LeBron James and his camp (including Maverick Carter, Rich Paul) have reservations to meet with Magic/Pelinka tonight in Beverly Hills, sources say.
— Arye Abraham (@arye_abraham) July 1, 2018
I was just told that Magic and LeBron have a dinner reservation at 9pm in the LA area (not tweeting out exactly where). This is getting realer and realer
— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) July 1, 2018
Sources: Magic/Pelinka had a very productive & successful chat with LeBron and his camp late last night. James was well aware that Paul George would NOT be signing w/ LAL EARLY last week.
— Arye Abraham (@arye_abraham) July 1, 2018
If these aformentioned rumors are true, then was James’ call with the Cavaliers a courtesy call, as to imply and give off the look that he’s “seriously” considering them? Also, it could be that those rumors aren’t true, as the New York Times’ Marc Stein debunked the notion that James and Magic met for dinner:
The level of contact between LeBron James and the Lakers thus far is not yet clear, but one source close to the process tells @NYTSports that LeBron and Lakers lead recruiter Magic Johnson did NOT have dinner together after free agency began at 9:01 PM Los Angeles time last night
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2018
Who knows as this point? However, the one thing we know: free agency is fun.
