LeBron James confirms he will not return to Lakers for 24th season
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 21, 2026, 3:27 AM
Last updated Jul 21, 2026
LeBron James, a prominent figure in the NBA, is in the process of deciding his next team as he prepares for an unprecedented 24th season. His agent, Rich Paul, indicated that James has informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he will play elsewhere. Key contenders for James' signature reportedly include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. The decision has prolonged the NBA free agency period, leaving teams and players awaiting clarity on the moving forward. The exact timing of his announcement remains uncertain.
- •LeBron James is not returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for the upcoming season.
- •Rich Paul stated that James has narrowed his final team choices.
- •Finalists include contending teams: CLE, MIA, GSW, PHI, and MIN.
- •The NBA free agency process has been significantly affected by James's decision.
- •The timeline for his final choice is not yet known.
- 4:17 AMYahoo Sports — Ex-Laker superstar LeBron James' agent Rich Paul gives major update for free agency decision
- 12:37 PMYahoo Sports — LeBron James 'won't be rushed' on decision for next team, agent says
- 6:48 AMESPN — Paul: LeBron 'not going to be rushed' into decisio...
- 5:19 AMYahoo Sports — Ex-Lakers superstar LeBron James' agent Rich Paul met with Adam Silver about not rushing decision
- 3:27 AMYahoo Sports — Ex-Lakers superstar LeBron James' agent Rich Paul drops major news in latest free agency update
"Rich Paul, the agent for LeBron James, said Monday he does not know when his client will decide what team he'll play for next season. He added that any teams interested in James joining them do not need to do anything else to sway him in the meantime.
"LeBron James is still in the middle of making his decision as to where he is going to play next. James' agent Rich Paul just dropped some information on his client's free agency to this point.
"Last week, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made a comment about LeBron James needing to make a decision. James' agent Rich Paul apparently had some feedback for Silver over the weekend.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 22, 2026, 4:17 AMEx-Laker superstar LeBron James' agent Rich Paul gives major update for free agency decision
LeBron James has taken his sweet time with making a decision for the future of his career. His agent Rich Paul just gave another update in this process for James.
- Yahoo SportsJul 21, 2026, 12:37 PMLeBron James 'won't be rushed' on decision for next team, agent says
Sports fans are clamoring to find out where LeBron James will play next season, but agent Rich Paul said his decision is "not going to be rushed."
- ESPNJul 21, 2026, 6:48 AMPaul: LeBron 'not going to be rushed' into decisio...
Rich Paul, the agent for LeBron James, said Monday he does not know when his client will decide what team he'll play for next season. He added that any teams interested in James joining them do not need to do anything else to sway him in the meantime.
- Yahoo SportsJul 21, 2026, 5:19 AMEx-Lakers superstar LeBron James' agent Rich Paul met with Adam Silver about not rushing decision
Last week, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made a comment about LeBron James needing to make a decision. James' agent Rich Paul apparently had some feedback for Silver over the weekend.
- Yahoo SportsJul 21, 2026, 3:27 AMEx-Lakers superstar LeBron James' agent Rich Paul drops major news in latest free agency update
LeBron James is still in the middle of making his decision as to where he is going to play next. James' agent Rich Paul just dropped some information on his client's free agency to this point.
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