Jalen Brunson said he did not attempt to recruit LeBron James to the Knicks, insisting any pitch should come from the team's decision-makers.
Jalen Brunson has made it clear that he did not personally attempt to recruit LeBron James to the New York Knicks.
LeBron James
Position SF
Age 41
Height 206 cm
Weight 113 kg
Birth place Akron, United States of America
With James considering his next destination, New York has repeatedly surfaced as a potential landing spot.
However, Brunson said roster construction is not part of his responsibilities and left any potential pitch to the organization's decision-makers.
"My job is to put the ball in the hoop and try to play a little defense," the NBA Finals MVP said at Fanatics Fest. "There are people above me who determine who's on the team and who's not. I'll leave the pitching to them."
Brunson distances himself from LeBron recruitment
Brunson's comments came after James' agent, Rich Paul, suggested the Knicks would have been a serious option had they not won the NBA championship.
Paul previously indicated that Brunson's approval would have been important in any potential pursuit, saying the Knicks star would need to make it clear that he had no issue with LeBron joining the team.
Brunson, however, refused to present himself as a recruiter and emphasized that his focus remains on his responsibilities on the court.
Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix
Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers lead race for LeBron
Despite the continued speculation surrounding New York, the Knicks have not been identified among the leading candidates to sign James.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Philadelphia 76ers have emerged as the three primary contenders, while the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves remain part of the broader group of interested teams.
James recently confirmed that Cleveland and Miami are among the options he is considering and also acknowledged Philadelphia when fans asked about his future, though he declined to reveal when or where he will sign.
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