James focused on task at hand

LOS ANGELES — Cleveland superstar LeBron James said Friday he's focused on the Cavaliers' bid for an NBA finals return, and isn't thinking about a possible move as a free agent after this season.

"I've still got too much work to do here," James told reporters in Los Angeles when asked if his possible free agency could be a distraction. "One thing about me and my career ... I handle my business accordingly, and when that time comes, I'll take care of that.

"But right now, my job right now is to get these guys prepared for the Clippers tonight and then how we can continue to get better going down the stretch."

James made his remarks on the University of California at Los Angeles, where he plays pickup basketball when he's in town during the off-season.

On Thursday, The Ringer published a story listing Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Houston and Cleveland as the four cities that James will entertain this summer.

The 33-year-old's ties to Los Angeles have sparked speculation that he would consider a move to the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, forsaking Cleveland again as he did in moving to the Miami Heat for four seasons before returning.

A Lakers season-ticket holder posted billboards in Los Angeles this week encouraging such a move, their #LABron theme mimicking similar billboards recently posted in Cleveland by a Pennsylvania business that would like to see James link up with the 76ers.

"I understand that I'm a free agent at the end of the summer, so I understand the frenzy that comes with it," James said, noting that the Lakers' salary cap space further fuelled speculation that they could lure him.