LeBron James is seriously considering running for president of the National Basketball Players Association, multiple sources told ESPN.
James is giving a run "some very heavy thought," one source said.
The biggest consideration for James will be the time commitment being the union president would require. James has limited time to give because of sponsorship and charity commitments in addition to playing. Deep playoff runs with the Miami Heat the past three seasons have also been taxing.
Still, James has been investigating the issue with advisers and fellow players this summer.
"It's a very important position for where things are going," a source close to James said.
Current NBPA president Derek Fisher's term expired this summer. The association could elect a replacement as soon as August, when they have their annual meeting in Las Vegas.
However, the organization is in flux at the moment and has yet to name a replacement for executive director Billy Hunter, who was dismissed earlier this year. It isn't clear when a replacement will be hired.
Hunter was accused of managing union funds and funneling them to family members. Hunter subsequently sued Fisher and the union.
With Adam Silver scheduled to take over as NBA commissioner in February and a replacement for Hunter expected to be chosen by then, the union is at a crux point, and it had James interested in the important role.
Fox Sports first reported James was mulling a run.
James started to engage more in union business starting in 2011 when he attended bargaining sessions during the lockout. Earlier this year at a union meeting during All-Star Weekend, James was vocal about the organization needing serious reform.
James is also close friends with Chris Paul, who has served as union vice president.
If he was elected, James would be the highest-profile player to be union president since Patrick Ewing held the role in the late 1990s.