LeBron James sweepstakes still have everyone guessing

If you’re looking for certainty on where LeBron James will sign, Terry Pluto isn’t about to give it to you.

Neither is anyone else.

In a column for Cleveland.com, Pluto admitted what many executives, scouts and reporters have privately acknowledged over the past week: Nobody really knows where James is headed.

“I have no idea where LeBron will sign,” Pluto quoted one NBA executive as saying. “I really don’t think anyone does.”

Frankly, that’s been the prevailing sentiment around the league.

That’s consistent with what Hoops Wire has continued to hear.

Yes, there is growing belief Cleveland has become the favorite. Golden State remains firmly in the mix. Philadelphia refuses to go away. Minnesota continues to push. Denver still believes it has a shot.

But belief and certainty are two different things.

Pluto also found Rich Paul’s recent “Game Over” podcast fascinating, particularly the now-famous whiteboard featuring 10 possible destinations.

Paul highlighted positives for Cleveland, praised assistant GM Brandon Weems, acknowledged James’ close relationship with Darius Garland and admitted Philadelphia’s acquisition of Jaylen Brown changed the Sixers’ appeal.

“I don’t trust that thought process,” Pluto wrote of Cleveland being viewed as the favorite.

Maybe that’s the lesson.

We’ve done this before. We did it in 2010. We did it in 2014. We did it again in 2018.

Every rumor sounds convincing. Every report gets dissected. Every social media post becomes a clue.

And then LeBron announces his decision when LeBron is ready.

Until then, everyone — including some of the people who know him best — is still guessing.

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