LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers catches his breath during Game 4 of the Western Conference Second Round playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on May 11, 2026.

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) catches his breath during a break in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs on May 11, 2026. (Photo by Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

LeBron James Has Been Contacted By Countless Players On The Teams Interested In Signing Him

Ashish MathurJuly 4, 2026 1:26 PMJuly 4, 2026 1:29 PM

LeBron James‘ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, told ESPN that James has been contacted by countless players on the teams interested in signing him.

James has been linked to the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs.

Paul informed the Los Angeles Lakers that James would not re-sign with them. James played for the Lakers from 2018-19 to 2025-26.

The Cavaliers and Heat are two of James’ former teams. Most NBA insiders Dallas Hoops Journal has spoken to believe James will sign with Cleveland, Miami or Golden State, although Philadelphia and Minnesota have begun to pick up steam in recent days.

James has been in the NBA since 2003. He’s a four-time MVP, four-time champion and four-time Finals MVP. The future Hall of Famer is the all-time leader in points, field goals, minutes and games. Many individuals consider James to be the greatest player in NBA history.

“I said to LeBron, ‘These calls that I’m getting a true testament to how you have respected this game,'” Paul said on his podcast. “‘It’s Year 24.'”

James holds career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game in the regular season and 28.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in the playoffs with the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers. He guided LAL to the 2020 championship against Miami at the Walt Disney World bubble.

However, James hasn’t been back to the NBA Finals since.

“As you’re going through this process, I’m saying to LeBron, ‘You really have to think this through,'” Paul said on his podcast. “Everything looks great in July. Everything looks great on paper. But you got to be very careful with that.”

A 22-time All-Star, James played in 60 regular-season games last season for the Lakers. He averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. The Akron native then put up 23.2 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game in the 2026 playoffs in 10 games against the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder. James remains an elite performer despite being the oldest active player in the NBA.

The only player in NBA history to rank top five all-time in points and assists, James is not expected to pick his new team soon. There are many factors in play for the sports icon.

“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 will be fascinating to see where James is playing next season. He turns 42 on December 30, 2026.