Don’t hold your breath over LeBron James’ decision to become a free agent.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, said Tuesday that the NBA superstar has no timeline to choose a new team.
“We’re not going to rush it,” Paul said on the latest episode of the podcast. Game over with Max Kellerman. “It’s his choice, and when he makes a choice, he makes it.”
James already announced this offseason that he would not be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers, where he spent the last eight seasons and won the 2020 championship.
He is reportedly eyeing the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat as his next stop, with three Eastern Conference teams being favored, according to ESPN.
Paul said the teams have made their offers and have no choice but to wait.
“We don’t need you to do your best at anything. We understand this. This is clear. All messages have been sent,” Paul said, addressing the teams.
Paul also rejected the idea that James was delaying the decision to gain attention.
“I think it’s important for people to understand that we don’t do anything for attention or spectacle,” Paul said. “This is not about “The Solution” or anything like that. He has a choice he must make. He has a business choice. We’re not going to sit here and decide or let someone else decide when they make that decision. … It’s a business choice he makes. And I, as an athlete, think, why should an athlete rush into his choice?”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver recently said he hopes James will make his choice “today” so schedule makers have all the information they need.
Aside from the results of the Kawhi Leonard-Aspiration investigation, the James signing is the biggest gain yet to be lost before the season begins. What both seem to have in common is a lack of clarity in their conclusions.
“I don’t know when his choice will be made, but it could be 48 seconds (from now). It could be in 48 minutes. I don’t know,” Paul said. “Again, you can’t force someone to know something they don’t know.”