NBA rumors: LeBron James already recruiting Kawhi Leonard, Jimmy Butler originally appeared on nbcsportsbayarea.com Say what you will about LeBron James, but he's no fool. The three-time NBA champion knows that despite the promise his Los Angeles Lakers showed early on this season, they have a long way to go to catch the two-time defending NBA champion Warriors. So, with a historic free-agent class set to hit the market July 1, James reportedly has already started putting in work with some of the biggest stars who will be available this offseason, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Thursday.