The timeframe for when LeBron James will make his free agency decision does not appear to be imminent.
James’ longtime friend and agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, said Monday evening on the latest episode of his podcast “Game Over” with co-host Max Kellerman that they’re not going to be rushed in making a decision.
“He has a choice to make. He has a business choice to make,” Paul said. “We’re not going to sit here and decide or allow someone else to decide when he makes that decision, or choice. It’s a business choice he’s making.”
It’s been three weeks since James informed the Los Angeles Lakers that they can move on without him next season, as he has become a free agent for the first time in eight years.
James has been under heavy scrutiny, as many believe he is taking too long to decide where he will play next.
“From a business perspective, if you are making a choice between jobs, high-level jobs, and you earned the right, you’re a big-time executive, with an unbelievable, arguably the best resume in the history of your job, who’s rushing you?”
Over the weekend, NBA commissioner Adam Silver revealed that the NBA needs James to make a decision soon, as they can’t finish next season’s schedule until he decides.
After Silver made those comments, Paul said that he spoke with him, and reaffirmed that it’s still his choice and remained adamant about not rushing it.
Paul went on to say that James is not trying to make his decision a spectacle, like he notoriously did in 2010, when he went on live television to announce “The Decision” he was leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers and taking his talents to South Beach to join the Miami Heat.
Kellerman went on and told Paul that some people believe, “LeBron loves the attention,” to which Paul dismissed.
Since James became a free agent, rumors have circulated that the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are considered the favorites to land the future Hall of Famer.
James added to the speculation over the weekend at Fanatics Fest by saying, “Trust the process,” leaving many wondering he might consider signing with the 76ers, to which he later rebuffed and said he’s been saying that phrase since 2003.
On Monday morning, James’ former teammate and longtime rival Patrick Beverley tweeted that “Rumor has it Bron makes his decision today!!!”
James seemingly responded back on social media, dismissing Beverley’s source.
“These people don’t know anything,” Paul said. “I don’t know when his choice is going to be made, but it could be 48 seconds [from now]. It could be 48 minutes. I don’t know. Again, you can’t make somebody know something that they don’t know.”
