LeBron James may not have known what he was going to do until hours before the decision 2.0, but some of his new Cavs teammates are saying that James let them days before that the return was in the works.
Cavaliers guard Dion Waiters told SLAM Magazine that he and LeBron talked “four or five days” before he made his decision. Waiters says James told him to “be ready” even though he said he hadn’t made up his mind at that point.
“We’ve talked,” Waiters said of his new teammate. “I actually talked with LeBron before he made his decision. He called me and just told me to be ready. Be ready. I talked to him four or five days before he made his decision. He just got on the phone and said I haven’t made my mind up yet but be ready.
I told him that I’m already working hard. I’ll be ready. And he said, I know, I know you are. Then a few days later I read the letter. I was just really excited for the city of Cleveland. I think the city, more than anybody, deserves this. They deserve to have LeBron coming back. I think the excitement is really back in Cleveland and I’m looking forward to being a part of that.”
Waiters admits he’s watched film of Dwyane Wade so he can learn and adjust his game to a manner that suits playing alongside James. The third-year shooting guard averaged 15.9 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in 29.6 minutes last season. James should improve his efficiency rating by leaps and bounds.