Rich Paul Doesn’t Expect LeBron James To Make Decision ‘Anytime Soon’ - Forbes

SportsMoneyRich Paul Doesn’t Expect LeBron James To Make Decision ‘Anytime Soon’ByMark Medina, Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. NBA reporterFollow AuthorJul 04, 2026, 10:19am EDTJul 04, 2026, 02:57pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryLeBron James's agent, Rich Paul, confirmed a decision on James's next NBA team isn't imminent, stating it won't happen in the coming days or weeks. Paul emphasized James is taking his time, viewing his future as a "blank slate" and making a choice "truly for him" without pressure. James has already informed the Lakers he won't finish his career there, with the team prioritizing Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves. Paul listed ten potential teams on his podcast, including the Cavaliers, Heat, and Warriors, though he suggested James wouldn't join the Knicks. Speculation favors the Warriors due to James's bond with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, a potential $15 million exception, and logistical advantages. The Heat are also considered viable after acquiring Giannis, while a Cavaliers return for a farewell tour faces skepticism regarding a minimum deal. Paul reiterated he's awaiting James's final decision. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 11: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)Getty ImagesAlthough LeBron James’ agent remains unsure which NBA team he will join for next season, Rich Paul sounded confident on when to expect the NBA’s oldest active player will finalize his future. “I don’t think this happens anytime soon,” Paul told me. Should teams be prepared for James to make a decision in weeks instead of days? “I don’t think it’ll be the next few days," Paul said. On his latest “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman, Paul included 10 teams on a whiteboard that James may consider joining, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. But Paul strongly suggested James would not join the Knicks since they just won an NBA championship and would not want to disrupt their chemistry. James already told the Los Angeles Lakers directly that he did not plan to end his career with them after playing for them in the past eight seasons. Other than that, Paul stressed that James believes that “everything is a blank slate” and that “he’s taking his time.” James has vacationed with family and has gone on different golf outings. James also vacationed recently with former Cavaliers teammates on the 2016 NBA championship team, including Kevin Love, Richard Jefferson, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson and Channing Frye. “This is the first time he’s making a decision that is truly for him. There is no pressure,” Paul said. “When he left Cleveland , he had to win a ring. When he came back , he had to deliver on the promise. This is at this stage where he can decide what he wants to do and how he wants to do it.” With the Lakers prioritizing their future around Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves, the 41-year-old James faces question marks on what his market value and his role entails entering his 24th and possibly final NBA season. In the 2025-26 campaign, James earned $52 million while averaging 20.9 points while shooting 51.5% from the field and 31.7% from 3-point range along with 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games. Although he missed the Lakers’ first 14 regular-season games with sciatica in his right hip, James avoided a major injury afterwards. He also adapted as the Lakers’ No. 3 option behind Dončić and Reaves in both shots and ball-handling duties, while also elevating his role to account for Dončić and Reaves nursing overlapping injuries throughout the season. Dončić missed the entire postseason and the final five regular-season games with a Grade 2 strained left hamstring). Reaves played in the Lakers’ final two playoff losses to Oklahoma City in the second round after missing the last five regular-season games and first eight playoff games with a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Although it’s not clear when or if James will decide his future, one rival NBA executive believes he will choose the Warriors for various reasons. The Warriors could sign James at a nontaxpayers mid-level exception at $15 million. He has a close bond and respect for Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Draymond Green after once servings as adversaries in four consecutive NBA Finals against Cleveland (2014-18). Since winning the 2022 NBA title, the Warriors have lost twice in the second round (2023, 2025) and in the NBA’s Play-In tournament (2024, 2026). But they could theoretically be in the mix so long as Curry, Green and James stay relatively healthy. It is possible that James would be able to mostly live in Los Angeles because of the one-hour flights to the Bay Area and coach Steve Kerr likely reducing practices and shootarounds to manage his veteran-laden roster. James could experience a more organic farewell tour in his third stop in Cleveland, but he has fielded skepticism that he would join the Cavaliers on a veteran’s minimum deal. The Cavaliers could create financial flexibility, though. They could re-sign James Harden. They could also deal or stretch-and-waive Dennis Schroder’s contract, which has two years left worth $30.3 million. James is expected to view the Miami Heat as a more viable option after they acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat used a portion of their non tax-payer midlevel exception on Tim Hardaway Jr. According to Capsheets.com, the Heat could sign James between $8-$8.5 million on their remaining midlevel exception in addition to a veteran’s minimum deal. Capsheet.com calculated the Heat could stay below the first apron, which the NBA has priced at $209.015 million. As he showed on the whiteboard during his latest podcast, however, Paul stressed that he can’t currently handicap which teams that James most favors. “I’m on his schedule,” Paul said. “I can’t tell the man how fast to move. When he’s telling me what he’s deciding, that’s when I’ll let you guys know.”