NBA Free Agency Rumors: LeBron James expected to make his decision before July 4

Almost everything the Los Angeles Lakers do in free agency this summer will be dictated by one man: LeBron James.

In years past, James has made his decision in free agency a long-winded spectacle, however, this year he’s reportedly not planning on attending “elaborate” free agency pitch meetings. As a result, his choice is expected to be made a lot sooner this year.

According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN, James will have decided where he’s playing next season just days after the free agency moratorium period.

“Everybody will be on holiday on July 4, it will be over by then,” Windhorst said on The Lowe Post with Zach Lowe.

The Fourth of July has been a popular date for free agents to announce their decisions in recent years. Both Gordon Hayward and Kevin Durant published their Players’ Tribune articles on Independence Day.

But Windhorst is suggesting that James will have his mind made up well before then and the fact that he reportedly isn’t meeting with teams backs that claim.

Earlier this month, Windhorst said he believes the Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers are “in the drivers seat” when it comes to James. However, Windhorst gave the Lakers the edge, saying there is a 51 percent chance James lands in Los Angeles.

No one knows what he is thinking but James, especially at this stage of the free agency process, but Windhorst is as plugged in on LeBron and his camp as anyone. While these comments might be speculative, it’s hard to imagine they’re not informed.

We’ll find out how much fire there is to this smoke this weekend. Until then, informed opinions is all we can ask for.

You can follow Christian on Twitter @RadRivas