Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson confirms 'exciting' LeBron James pursuit
· Yahoo Sports
Add Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson to those anxiously on LeBron James watch.
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Speaking to SiriusXM NBA Radio on Sunday, July 12, Atkinson became the first person in the franchise to say on the record the Cavs are pursuing James in free agency.
"Listen, it's an exciting time for us," Atkinson said. "We're in the mix for the greatest player of all time."
James, 41, informed the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this month that he would leave the team and become an unrestricted free agent.
That could mean a return to Cleveland for the NBA's all-time leading scorer, who grew up in Akron and maintains a home in nearby Bath.
"It's exciting. I think you're nervous, but we understand how it is," Atkinson said. "He's obviously he's earned that right to take his time. Obviously family plays a big part of it. But I know the state of Ohio, man. There's something special there."
James has spent much of the last several weeks in Greater Akron, with some spotting him at Firestone Country Club for golfing, at local pilates studios and having a meal at his Buckets Restaurant inside House Three Thirty.
There are plenty of suitors for James' services. Most notably, Bob Myers, a Philadelphia 76ers executive, appeared on the "Game Over" podcast with James' agent Rich Paul to make his plea.
According to a recent ESPN report, teams have been sending Paul voice memos to pass along to James to inquire about his services. That same report mentioned James has "no timetable" to make his decision.
But it's one Atkinson — and many Cavs fans — are waiting on.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson confirms 'exciting' LeBron James pursuit