Does LeBron James want to take his talents to the NFL during the NBA lockout?

Probably not, but hey, LeBron tweeted at ESPN senior writer John Clayton on Tuesday.

When is the deadline for a team to sign a free agent? James tweeted at Clayton.

LeBron, sorry to get back to you so late, Clayton responded. Trade deadline next Tuesday 4 p.m. Free agency goes until last team is eliminated. Game on. Being John Clayton, though, he did not tweet at LeBron.

James responded back. All good, he said. Thanks Clayton!

Clayton relished this attention from James like, well, not like a schoolgirl, because no one relishes attention from James anymore.

But Clayton tried to keep the conversation going. Smooth.

LeBron, because you have some time and you were a WR [in high school], the 49ers just signed Brett Swain, Clayton wrote. You might check with Buffalo.

Then: LeBron,, don't look at the Philadelphia Eagles. You're already on a Dream Team.

And both dream teams can't win!

James did not respond to either of Clayton's additional tweets after the first. Nonetheless, their conversation stirred up quite a buzz on Twitter of people wondering if James was thinking about playing football and asking him to play wide receiver or tight end for their favorite teams.

So, will it happen? Everything that has been written about this exchange seems to ignore the fact that James was replying to a Clayton tweet in the first place, not asking him a question out of the blue.

The trade deadline is next Tuesday, Clayton tweeted earlier in the day, prompting LeBron's response. Perhaps he's just wondering as a fan.

Of course, it only added to the speculation that last week, James practiced in full pads with his former high school's team at St. Vincent-St. Mary in Akron.

Just got done practicing with the St.V Varsity football team, full pads and all, he tweeted after that practice. Felt great being back on the field. Should I?

Yes. Yes you should, James. The nerve, Michael Vick. You can't form a Dream Team without LeBron. The nerve, Tony Romo. You can't choke a game away if you're not LeBron.

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