LeBron James remained a free agent on the Fourth of July, surely realizing that no document should upstage the Declaration of Independence with a quarter-millennium extravaganza swirling.
Of course, a national holiday didn’t stop Kevin Durant from bolting the Thunder for the Warriors on July 4, 2016, but that’s a different story – much like LBJ’s final foray into free agency.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, made it clear that his client seeks “happiness” above all in a 24th NBA season. His legacy cemented, his championships secured, LBJ wants to ride toward the sunset with a smile.
Yes, that noble journey recently adopted a game-show motif, but we’re told James’ heart is in the right place.
Paul handicapped numerous possible LeBron landing spots while appearing on a hands-on episode of his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman that was released Friday.
A whiteboard here, a pointer there, speculation everywhere.
Ostensibly, the entire Association would have interest in James, who declined the player option on his final season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The league’s all-time leading scorer might not get to the basket with the same tenacity or show the stamina that has defined him for much of his career, but he still is a force at 41.
Paul said that James’ options abound largely because the New York Knicks won the Larry O’Brien trophy last month, ending a championship drought that preceded America’s bicentennial.
LBJ assuredly would be taking his talents to New York Harbor were another franchise entering the 2026-27 season as reigning champs.
“It’s difficult, because the last thing you want to do is mess up something like that,” Paul said. “The Knicks have a good thing going. If the Knicks hadn’t won, this wouldn’t even [be a question]. There would be no board. He’d be going to the Knicks.”
It would be quite the challenge for James to keep a smile, though if he couldn’t help the Knicks to a repeat, Paul explained.
“LeBron’s always judged different,” Paul said. “That’s a very fragile thing, and he’s been a part of championship teams.”
Yup, with Miami, Cleveland and the Lakers. As Paul explored the possibility of a return to the first two of those locales, he suggested that familiarity with front offices is a mark for both sides.
It may boil down to personnel, however, and Paul noted that one “negative” concerning the Cavaliers is the absence of Darius Garland. The agent told listeners that James “loves Garland like he loves” Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey.
Naturally, there’s a lot for Paul to like about touting the chances of two of his clients playing together. But as the almighty whiteboard indicated, Philly does boast a deep core that includes newly-acquired Jaylen Brown alongside Joel Embiid, V.J. Edgecombe and Maxey.
The board also listed four core members of the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Heat.
“LeBron” was written at its center.
“Every day things change,” Paul told ESPN. “This is the first time that LeBron James is making a decision pressure-free. He’s won already. He’s made good on his promise – he won in L.A. This is strictly for his happiness. What does happiness entail? It’s a number of things. It’s a bucket of happiness. It’s basketball, it’s living, it’s camaraderie, it’s competition. It’s everything.”
It’s ongoing, too, and figures to stay that way with training camps still more than two months away.
Would the hype be anything less for an all-time signature player?
