LeBron James reportedly delayed announcement after Adam Silver remarks

Could Adam Silver’s public comments have played a role in LeBron James delaying his free agency announcement?

According to Cleveland radio host Andy Baskin, they may have.

Speaking on 92.3 The Fan’s Baskin & Phelps show, Baskin said he was told James’ camp had been prepared to make an announcement as early as last week while LeBron was in New York for Fanatics Fest.

Then came comments from NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who publicly acknowledged that James’ decision was one of the reasons the league had not yet finalized its schedule.

“Here’s what I was told yesterday about the whole LeBron situation,” Baskin said. “Last week, LeBron’s crew was probably ready to make an announcement, especially because they were in New York.

“They were probably comfortable making an announcement as early as last week. And then, people were telling them what to do. There’s a little bit of irritation… Irritated was the word I was told, by the commissioner pushing them… so they decided to hold back.”

Whether that’s exactly what happened remains impossible to independently confirm.

What is clear is that James’ decision has become the defining storyline of the NBA offseason.

It’s now been roughly three weeks since the four-time MVP informed the Lakers he would not return, yet no public indication has emerged regarding where he intends to play next.

League sources continue to indicate the Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers remain firmly in the mix.

ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported Wednesday that the Warriors, meanwhile, have grown increasingly pessimistic about their chances of landing James.