James will reportedly join the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, or Cleveland Cavaliers.
Published July 21, 2026
LeBron James’ longtime agent says the NBA superstar will decide on his next team when he is ready.
“We’re not going to rush it,” Rich Paul said on Monday night’s episode of the “Game Over” podcast with sports broadcaster Max Kellerman. “We’re not going to rush it. It’s his choice and when he makes a choice, he’ll make it.”
Paul also said the team, which hopes to host the 22-time All-Star, does not need to provide any further information at this time.
“I’ve had some people call me and say, ‘Hey, Rich, is there anything we should be doing more of? Is there anything we can do?'” he said. “And my answer is: ‘No. There’s no need to over-hype anything. We understand that. We’re clear. The message is all being sent.'”
Tuesday marked three weeks since Paul informed the Los Angeles Lakers that the 41-year-old forward would not return for the team’s record 24th NBA season and would become a free agent.
Potential landing spots for the NBA’s all-time leading scorer include the Golden State Warriors and Philadelphia 76ers, or a possible return to the Miami Heat or Cleveland Cavaliers, ESPN reported.
“We’re not going to hold you back any longer,” James said during a public appearance in New York last week.
Paul said he has discussed the situation with NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who told the four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champion last Thursday that he would like the four-time league MVP and four-time NBA champion to “make an announcement already so we can complete our schedule.”
“I met Adam in New York and we talked about it,” Paul said. “And like I said, it’s still his choice. So if he doesn’t really know, he can’t rush it. He can’t rush it.”
Paul insisted on his podcast that James isn’t prolonging the process to build suspense, as he did with his 2010 televised announcement that he was leaving the Cavaliers for the Heat (hyped as a “decision”).
“I think it’s important for people to understand, we’re not making this for attention or spectacle,” Paul said. “This isn’t about ‘decisions’ or anything like that. He has a choice. He has a business choice. We’re not going to sit here and make a decision, and he’s not going to let anyone else make that decision for him. … It’s a business choice that he’s making. And I think as an athlete, why should an athlete rush to make his choice?”
James appeared in 60 games with the Lakers in the 2025-26 season, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds. He played in 1,622 games with three teams and has career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists.
