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Dave McMenamin Jul 21, 2026, 01:44 AM ET Close Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.
Multiple Authors LeBron James longtime friend and agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, said Monday he does not know when his client will decide what team hell play for next season.
He added that any teams interested in James joining them do not need to do anything else to sway his clients mind in the meantime.
Were not going to be rushed, Paul said on the latest podcast episode of Game Over with Max Kellerman and Rich Paul, released Monday evening.
Were not going to be rushed.
Its his choice to make and when he makes the choice, hell make it.
Paul continued to say that teams have circled back with him to see if they should be more involved while James weighs his options and he told them there was no need.
Theres been several people to call and say, Hey, Rich, is there anything more we should be doing? We could be doing?' Paul said.
And my answer is, No.
We dont need you to go above and beyond about anything.
We understand it.
Its clear.
All the messages have been sent.' Editors Picks 2 Related Tuesday will mark three weeks since Paul informed the Los Angeles Lakers that James would not return to the franchise for 2026-27 and would enter free agency to find his landing spot for what will be a record-setting 24th NBA season.
The Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are among the teams that have continued their pursuit, sources told ESPN, with the three Eastern Conference franchises believed to be the top teams being considered.
James made a string of public appearances in New York last week and did not offer many clues about his decision-making process, other than to say, I wont hold you guys up too much longer.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Thursday at the CNBC Sport x Boardroom: Game Plan Summit in New York, I would like [James] to make his announcement already, so we can finish the schedule.
Paul said he spoke privately with Silver after those comments.
I saw Adam in New York and we discussed it, Paul said.
And like I said, its still his choice.
So if he doesnt really know, you cant rush it.
You cant rush it.
The wait, Paul said, is not intentional to get more people talking about the 41-year-old James, and he does not liken it to ESPNs made-for-TV special The Decision that James was a part of in 2010 when he announced he was leaving Cleveland to join Miami.
I think its important for people to understand: Were not making this about attention and a spectacle, Paul said.
Its not about a Decision or anything like that.
He has a choice to make.
He has a business choice to make.
Were not going to sit here and decide or allow someone else to decide when he makes that decision.
..
Its a business choice that hes making.
And I think as an athlete, why is it that an athlete has to rush his choice? Kellerman challenged his co-host, saying some people believe LeBron loves the attention, which Paul flat-out dismissed.
Its the lowest hanging fruit for when you dont have the information, Paul said.
Thats just what it is.
I dont know when his choice is going to be made, but it could be 48 seconds [from now].
It could be 48 minutes.
I dont know.
Again, you cant make somebody know something that they dont know.
Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, LeBron James agent Paul was a guest on ESPNs The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday, and when asked about the potential for the next season being a farewell tour or if there will be another decision after this season, Paul said, I dont know, but added that James is in the drivers seat with that, not a specific team.
If you follow his career, hes always been someone to take care of his body whos put himself in a position that when and if he decides to make whatever decision he decides, someday, in terms of his choice on continuing to play or not continuing to play, its because he wants to make that choice, not that he has to make that choice, he said.
Has there ever been someone who can gets to a place to where they can honestly decide with full clarity, and choosing whatever they choose as it pertains to continuing their career, or to continue their professional career.
Normally were manipulated by a financial component, and in this case, hes not.
Paul acknowledged that when James decides to retire, hell miss him, but that LeBron has earned the right to take his time.
I think its a very unique position to be in and its something that you have to be happy or a guy whos earned it.
I personally dont like to think about the end of it because hes got so much left in the tank, but thats his choice, said Paul on McAfee.
I dont like to think about that because hes been so great to us and the game, and he has meant so much to the sport.
Though a handful of teams continue to express their interest in James with Heat president of basketball operations Pat Riley even appearing on The Dan Le Batard Show to discuss a reunion with the man who won two of his four championships and made four of his 10 career NBA Finals appearances with Miami from 2010 to 2014 Paul insisted they should go about their business in the meantime.
Theres roster spots thats not filled, Paul said.
If they want to fill their roster spots, were not saying dont fill your roster spots.
When asked if James was leaning in any direction, or had a pecking order in mind, Paul replied, Theres nothing I can say.
Paul also pushed back against various recent reports that suggested James announcement was imminent.
These people dont know anything, Paul said.
I dont know when his choice is going to be made, but it could be 48 seconds [from now].
It could be 48 minutes.
I dont know.
Again, you cant make somebody know something that they dont know.