LeBron James Free Agency: Could Gloria James Be the Deciding Factor in Choice?

The situation surrounding LeBron James, his mother Gloria, and Cleveland Cavaliers teammate Delonte West refuses to drift into obscurity. Even though the topic may be a sore point for some, it may be time to consider the potential effect it could have on James in free agency.

The rumor of a relationship between West and Gloria has yet to be validated, but that hasn't prevented it from being a major source of discussion since the rumor was first revealed.

Charlotte radio station WPEG crafted its entire Tuesday morning show around the subject of James, West, and Gloria and the response was incredible. I have to figure similar scenes are playing out across the country.

WPEG asked listeners to respond with their own thoughts about the rumored relationship between Gloria and West and I was surprised by the path most callers chose to take.

Many callers chose to explore the unwritten rules that exist between friends and where an illicit relationship with said friend's mother ranks on the list. But far more callers weighed in with how it may affect James' future in Cleveland.

I found this very interesting because most people have focused on the possibility of truth to the rumor while eschewing the potential damage already caused by the gossip leaking out.

While listening to the radio this morning it became clear to me that the court of public opinion is already weighing in on the subject, and the fact that most of the views I heard expressed were of a basketball nature is revealing.

You will always have those who choose to further a story simply because of the shock value of the read, but observers would be remiss to disregard the possible consequences of this rumor, even if it is only gossip.

James' impending free agency decision could be influenced by this rumor, and former Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Brentson Buckner added a little perspective when he appeared on WPEG's morning show.

Buckner said the two major no-no's of any professional locker room are spreading lies about a teammate and carrying on a relationship with a teammate's mother.

I have never been a member of a professional sports team, so I can't validate Buckner's words, but I do understand how fiercely protective a boy or man can be of his mother.

This is especially true in LeBron's case, because the absence of a father figure meant that Gloria had to perform this job as well. James was probably more dependent on her than he would have been under different circumstances.

So could this rumor bear any weight on whether James returns to Cleveland or chooses to seek his fortune elsewhere?

The people of Cleveland will likely give a resounding no in response, but you have to wonder if teams like New York and Chicago are not just as interested in how this story plays out as the casual observer is.

It's hard to imagine James facing his Cleveland teammates with the weight of the rumor hidden just beneath the surface, and how does his relationship with West affect the Cavaliers in the future?

New York and Chicago have pointed to the summer of 2010 as the period where they will take the first steps towards league title contention, and they have vested interests in how this story plays out.

Cavaliers management has probably taken notice also, because they have to consider each factor that could influence James' decision. If he does decide to vacate the premises, it could affect the future fortunes of the franchise.

Most major media outlets have adopted a wait-and-see approach with this story, while most fans of the game have chosen to dismiss it as hearsay. In doing so, however, they fail to address the emotional factor of James' impending decision.

Most people assume that money, influence, power, and the ability to shape the roster would be the major factors surrounding James' choice, and to a degree they are right. But his personal feelings will hold just as much weight in his decision.

The same is true of society as a whole. Everyone has been forced to make a decision requiring close scrutiny, and even after viewing all alternatives, we still make the decision based on our feelings.

There are some things Cleveland management can do to protect themselves from this predicament, the first being to exile West as far away from the franchise as possible.

Even if the rumors ultimately prove to be false, the amount of conversation that has been generated could still be damaging, and if James' ego is bruised it could spell trouble for the Cavaliers when decision time comes.

Observers and pundits may refuse to see the relevance in this rumor and how it could potentially affect James' free agency decision, but you better believe the majority of the teams vying for his services are cognizant of it and what it could mean for their chances of winning the LeBron sweepstakes.