Metta World Peace (also known as Metta Sandiford-Artest and Ron Artest) says LeBron James tried to recruit him to Cleveland back when James was on his initial run with the franchise.
“So, LeBron James hit me up one time when he was with the Cavs,” World Peace said on a recent episode of Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay. “I remember I was excited because LeBron hit me up; I’m a big fan. Even though he’s younger, I was a big fan. But before that, I didn’t wanna play with Kobe — RIP Kobe — I didn’t wanna play with LeBron, I didn’t wanna play with [Tracy McGrady]; I wanted to play against these guys. So, when LeBron hit me to come play with [him], I was like, ‘I can’t come play.’”
World Peace was a free agent during the 2008-09 season, coming off a campaign with the Rockets where he scored 17.6 points per game. While he was anti-teaming up with stars heading into his free agency, the forward ended up signing with the Lakers to play alongside Kobe Bryant, fueled by market conditions.
“No teams wanted me,” World Peace said. “After that, I didn’t call back LeBron, so then the Lakers called; I said, ‘I gotta just go because I don’t know if I’m gonna get a contract.’ But it’s not in me to play with anyone.”
World Peace ended up winning a ring with the Lakers and providing fans with one of the best postgame championship press conferences in the history of the NBA.
In a way, it worked out for World Peace in Los Angeles but it’s fair to wonder if things might have been different for the Cavaliers during the end of LeBron James’ first stint had the forward come to Cleveland.
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More on the Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cleveland opted to sit Evan Mobley on Saturday vs. the Knicks and the No. 3 overall pick’s Summer League is over, Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com confirms. The 1-3 Cavs only have a consolation game left on their Summer League schedule. Mobley showed some promise during three games on the court and the big man said that he was getting some coaching from Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, and Jarrett Allen, who were all on the sidelines in Las Vegas (h/t Evan Dammarell of Fear The Sword).
- The Cavaliers have hired longtime NBA assistant and former guard Sidney Lowe as an assistant to coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Lloyd Pierce (joined Rick Carlisle with Pacers), and David Fizdale (joined Frank Vogel with Lakers) were among other coaches that Cleveland had eyes on.
- ICYMI: If Kevin Love aims to receive a buyout, he may have to give up a substantial part of his salary, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic hears that Love would likely have to consider walking away from $12-15 million if the Cavaliers were to consider a buyout arrangement. For what it’s worth, the power forward has given no indication that he’s willing to do that.
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