CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James said he learned on draft night, 2017, that he was Lonzo Ball's favorite player.

And pretty much ever since, James has been nice to him. From sitting courtside at a Lakers Summer League game in Las Vegas, to wishing Ball a happy 20th birthday on Twitter. Congratulating Ball for passing him as the youngest player to get a triple double in November, to huddling with him near midcourt after the Cavs' 121-112 win over the Lakers Thursday night.

James said he doesn't do any of it to get a rise out of the millions of NBA fans who sit on their phones, scrolling through Twitter, waiting to see what James is going to do about his own free agency in the summer.

He said it's about being nice.

"I don't do it to get a reaction," James said. "I do it because he's said over and over since he was growing up and who he modeled his game after. Who was his favorite player? It was me, and I was humbled by that. So me wishing him a happy birthday was kind of a salute back to him."

For a brief refresher, James was asked in September if he still intends to finish career in Cleveland. He said "it hasn't changed," adding that he wouldn't give thought to his free agency until the Cavs' season ends. James is hoping to reach his eighth straight Finals, fourth in a row with Cleveland.

But that answer simply doesn't do enough to quell the rumors and the speculation. It's beyond a cottage industry in the NBA. In fact, analysts believe offseason player movement and the mere discussion of potential moves has led to a growth in TV ratings.

So when James speaks softly toward Ball, or buys another summer home in Los Angeles, the rumor mill cranks to full tilt.

"I see all the stupid noise that happens," James said. "You know I can't buy a home in L.A., I can't live in L.A. It's funny noise. But I don't get involved in it. When I post things I don't look at comments because I'm so far removed from the white noise and the noise doesn't matter to me."

James posted his fourth triple double this season and 59th of his career, tying Larry Bird for sixth all time at 59. Bird was a player James looked up to because they were both small forwards.

James, as previously mentioned, was an idol to Ball, who nearly registered a triple double of his own with 13 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds.

Ball said playing against James was "pretty cool, especially the environment here." He said watching James on TV or in the stands "doesn't do him justice.

"He has that size, that speed," said Ball, after getting his first taste and having James pound a shoulder into his chest a time or two. "I'd say he's the best player in the right world now."

James said with Ball, "it's always team."

"He passes the ball. Pushes the ball up the floor. Someone you want to play with," James said. Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said similar things about Ball Thursday night, as did Kevin Love Thursday morning.

Last season, James and LaVar Ball, Lonzo's father, sparred through the media over some comments LaVar made comparing his sons and their pro prospects to James' sons.

Those days are long gone, replaced by James giving nothing but support to Lonzo.

So, what did he say to Ball after the game?

"None of y'all business," James said.

Keep freshening that Twitter feed.