LeBron says free agency didn't influence All-Star Draft selections

LeBron James raised some eyebrows with the players he chose for his NBA All-Star roster. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar participated in a pre-recorded draft special on TNT last Thursday, and he selected several pending free agents, including Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Kawhi Leonard.

But James insists his decisions had no ulterior motive, and he just wanted to put the best team on the floor while stimulating "great conversation" among fans.

"Everyone kind of gets up for fantasy basketball talk," James said, according to Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times. "... That's all part of the speculation that continues to drive our sport. It's all good and well and dandy but for me, I picked according to my draft board and I picked according to who was the best available. It just so happened that I had KD who's a pending free agent, and Kyrie who's a pending free agent, James (Harden) is under contract until 2030. Kawhi's a free agent."

The Lakers are reportedly one of the preferred destinations for New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis, who has the same agent as James and was selected to Team LeBron.

James added that his assembled squad also includes many players who are locked up long term, including Bradley Beal and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The 34-year-old is averaging 27 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 7.4 assists during his first season in Los Angeles. The Lakers (28-27) sit 1.5 games back in the race for the Western Conference's final playoff spot entering Saturday.