LeBron James is taking a deliberate approach to his free agency after confirming he will not return to the Los Angeles Lakers. The 41-year-old's choice of team for his 24th NBA season remains undecided one week into the offseason.
James' agent Rich Paul stated on June 30 that the player was leaving the Lakers after eight seasons. Initial teams under consideration included the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, with at least seven additional squads now involved to varying degrees.
Marc Stein reported Tuesday that some around the league expect James to wait at least one more week before deciding. This timeline would make the announcement the latest of his career.
James is expected to sign for a portion of the mid-level exception or possibly a minimum deal, removing salary cap pressures that affected past decisions. He is evaluating roster construction and title contention fit across multiple options.
The ongoing World Cup, with quarterfinals scheduled for July 9-11, has also been cited as a potential factor in delaying any announcement until after major soccer matches conclude.
