LeBron James adds more fuel to Anthony Davis tampering claims

LeBron James doesn’t seem to be worried about executives’ tampering claims when it comes to him and Pelicans star Anthony Davis.

The two All-Stars had dinner together after James’ Lakers beat New Orleans, 112-104, at Staples Center on Friday night, according to Yahoo Sports. The Pelicans stayed overnight before traveling to Sacramento, giving James time to eat with Davis. James said earlier this week that it “would be amazing” if Davis were to ever play for the Lakers.

“That would be amazing, like duh,” James told ESPN. “That would be incredible.”

According to ESPN, it upset some general managers, who wanted the NBA to intervene after it appeared James was openly recruiting Davis.

Davis told Yahoo Sports on Friday his goal is compete for championships.

“I’d take legacy over money,” Davis said “I want to have a legacy. All my people that look up to me, the younger kids, I want them to know about AD’s legacy. Championships, the things I do in the community, being a good teammate, playing hard. All that stuff matters the most to me. Don’t get me wrong, money is amazing. But I think in that sense, money or legacy, I think my legacy will win that battle every time.”

James didn’t seem worried after the game about the NBA coming down on him.

“People get caught up in bunches some times and they wish they could control what you say,” James told reporters. “And they can’t control me, at all. And I play by the rules.”

He and Davis are both represented by agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, and the fear is the latter will push for a trade to the Lakers. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters Friday morning they are “not trading” Davis. NBA bylaws prevent a player from directly or indirectly persuading a player to join another NBA team. The Lakers already have been fined the past two years for tampering.

“If these are the rules, enforce them,” one Western Conference GM anonymously told ESPN. “If you want to push Anthony Davis in L.A, if you allow LeBron to interfere with teams, then just do it. Change the rules, and say, ‘It’s the wild, wild west and anything goes.’ ”

Davis had said his focus remains on helping the Pelicans win.

“I don’t really care,” Davis told ESPN on Wednesday. “Obviously, it’s cool to hear any high-caliber player say they want to play with me. But my job is to turn this team around.”

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