MIAMI (AP) — Even as the NBA experiences one of its most dramatic stretches of roster shakeups in recent memory, all eyes remain fixed on one man: LeBron James.
The league has seen a flurry of blockbuster moves in recent days. Giannis Antetokounmpo was dealt to Miami in exchange for Tyler Herro. Jaylen Brown headed to Philadelphia in a trade for Paul George. Kawhi Leonard returned to Toronto, Ja Morant was shipped to Portland, LaMelo Ball landed in Minnesota, and Dusty May departed NCAA champion Michigan to take the head coaching job in Dallas.
Despite all of that activity, the basketball world is still holding its breath — waiting on James, as it so often does.
“He’s still the face of the league,” said Rich Paul, James’ agent and CEO of Klutch Sports.
If anyone doubted whether the NBA’s oldest active player and all-time scoring leader still commands that kind of attention, those doubts have been put to rest. Soccer’s World Cup is underway, the wedding of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden — home of NBA champion New York Knicks — is drawing global fascination, it’s a holiday weekend in the United States, and yet the question of where James will play next season continues to dominate sports conversation.
Here is what is known for certain: James, who turns 42 in December, will suit up for a 24th NBA season — and it will not be with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Beyond that, the picture gets murky. Paul appeared on the “Game Over” podcast, which he co-hosts with Max Kellerman, and revealed a whiteboard covered in potential landing spots. The list included — but may not be limited to — Philadelphia, Cleveland, Miami, Minnesota, Denver, Golden State, San Antonio, Dallas, Boston, and New York.
“If the Knicks hadn’t have won, there would be no board,” Paul said on the podcast. “He’d be going to the Knicks.”
As for timing, James can make his decision whenever he chooses. However, no team can officially announce or comment on a signing before Monday at 12:01 p.m. Eastern time — unless James agrees to a minimum salary deal, which in his case would be approximately $3.9 million.
Speculation is swirling about whether he might make a splash on July 4th, coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, or perhaps on July 8th — the 16th anniversary of the famous “The Decision” television broadcast. For now, no one seems to know, and it’s possible James himself hasn’t made up his mind.
Money appears unlikely to be a driving factor. James pulled in nearly $600 million in gross salary over his first 23 seasons, and his net worth is widely believed to top $1 billion.
One factor that may carry surprising weight: golf. James has become a passionate golfer, and cities like Minnesota, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Denver, New York, and Boston don’t offer much in the way of outdoor golf during January and February. That said, all of those markets have top-tier indoor training facilities, so it likely won’t be a deal-breaker.
James is expected to prioritize joining a title contender, finding a situation that suits his family — including his wife and daughter — and avoiding quality-of-life concerns. Every team on his list is believed to be capable of making a compelling case on all of those fronts.
Paul’s podcast appearance was packed with analysis, breaking down how James might fit into the rosters of the various teams on his board and discussing how recent trades — such as Philadelphia’s acquisition of Brown — could shift the calculus. But when it came to hinting at a frontrunner, Paul offered nothing definitive.
“You can think whatever you think,” Paul said. “This is just my board. You decide what you want to think.”
And so the waiting game goes on.
