"Would Love to Learn Under You": Warriors Rookie Gets His Turn to Publicly Pitch to LeBron James

Free agents across the NBA have been agreeing to new deals since July 6. One notable name not on the list of players who've already signed new contracts to this point is LeBron James. For the 41-year-old, the problem isn't that there aren't any teams taking interest. In fact, he might have way too many options as teams across the league are trying to attract him.

As franchises race to acquire him, even players have begun sending their pitches to James. In fact, Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg also tried his hand at a recruitment pitch for the four-time NBA MVP.

"My pitch is, man, I know you don't like rookies that much," Lendeborg said, as shared by TSN on X. "But I'm not the average rookie, and I would love to learn under you. So, if you're looking to play with the greatest shooter of all time, and a close friend of yours, Draymond [Green], it would be great to come to the Warriors."

The rookie isn't the only Warriors member trying to recruit James. Even before the 2025-26 campaign officially ended, there were already reports that Stephen Curry planned to meet with him over the summer to discuss teaming up in the Bay Area.

Now, even Draymond Green is trying to convince his friend to team up. During the most recent episode of his podcast, The Draymond Green Show, the Warriors' defensive ace admitted that he tried to recruit James while they were hanging out and playing golf in Puerto Rico.

Green also clarified that his pitch doesn't guarantee that James would come to Golden State, but he still had to try to get his friend to join him.

Of course, the Warriors players aren't the only ones who've made public pitches for James.

Luke Kornet Jokes About Sending Pitch to LeBron James

As LeBron James explores free agency, a bespoke method has emerged for those trying to recruit him.

According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Rich Paul, James' agent, is accepting voice notes from front offices to show his client.

While several executives and even a few players have already likely sent Paul a serious voice message detailing their pitch, San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet decided to have some fun with it.

Kornet posted a blog acknowledging that people are now sending voice notes to try to lure James to their team. He also added his own voice note, jokingly labeling it leaked audio of "one such voice memo."

"Hey, LeBron, Mr. James, LeBron, LeBron, it's Luke Kornet, number 7 of the San Antonio Spurs," Kornet stated. "You kinda yelled at me a little last week, well, last year. Anyway, I just wanted to invite you to come here, to San Antonio. We've got something really cool taking shape, with a ton of young talent. It's a city that's easy to live in, tax-free, that still counts for something."

"You could also play alongside another generational player, and Victor (Wembanyama) too," he added.

He jokingly added that San Antonio has SeaWorld, La Panadería, and a guest room for him while he figures things out. Finally, he said that while James is chasing his fifth title, the Spurs are chasing their sixth, so they are in the same quest.

Kornet's post is meant to be satirical, since the Spurs have already withdrawn from the race for LeBron James' signature.