DHJ Quick Take: Rich Paul Tells Forbes LeBron James’ Decision Isn’t Coming ‘Anytime Soon’
Rich Paul told Forbes a LeBron James free-agency decision isn’t imminent, and his own 10-team whiteboard has Cleveland and Philadelphia leading, while Dallas’ pitch leans entirely on business ties.
- What did Rich Paul tell Forbes? “I don’t think this happens anytime soon,” and not within “the next few days,” either.
- What’s the pitch for Dallas? Paul skipped the roster and Cooper Flagg entirely, instead citing Dallas’ business ties and team president Masai Ujiri’s connections across Africa.
- Which teams lead the board? Philadelphia and Cleveland topped Paul’s breakdown, each carrying personal ties to James, while Golden State’s placement was surprisingly far down the list.
- What’s next? James’ timeline remains open, with Cleveland and Philadelphia positioned as the frontrunners while Dallas waits on the outer edge of the board.
LeBron James is not deciding anytime soon, and when he does, agent Rich Paul made clear this week the pitch for the Dallas Mavericks will not be about basketball at all.
“I don’t think this happens anytime soon,” Paul told Forbes on Saturday. Asked whether teams should prepare for a wait measured in weeks rather than days, Paul added, “I don’t think it’ll be the next few days.”
Rich Paul Walks Through All 10 Teams on the Board
Paul spent Friday’s episode of his “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman running through a whiteboard of 10 teams in order, breaking down the case for each: the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks.
James already informed the Lakers directly that he won’t return, with the franchise’s future now turning toward Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves.
Dallas Mavericks’ Pitch Is Business, Not Basketball
When Paul reached Dallas, sixth on his board, he skipped the roster entirely — no word on Cooper Flagg, no discussion of how James would fit alongside the Mavericks’ returning pieces.
Instead, Paul ran through Dallas’ business appeal: “they got oil, they got golf, you got Macau,” he said, before pointing to the Sands casino group’s presence in the city and closing with team president Masai Ujiri’s reach across the African continent.
On Paul’s board, any Mavericks pitch runs through the front office, not the depth chart.
Philadelphia and Cleveland Lead the Board
Paul started with Philadelphia, not Golden State or Miami, calling the 76ers a real contender only after last month’s trade for Jaylen Brown remade the roster. He pointed to James’ fondness for Tyrese Maxey, his interest in mentoring rookie VJ Edgecombe and a personal tie to team president Mike Gansey, an Ohio high schooler from James’ own era. Former player Jameer Nelson’s spot in the front office added another layer to the pitch.
Cleveland went third on the board but may carry the most weight given James’ history there, from owner Dan Gilbert and the late Nick Gilbert to president of basketball operations Koby Altman and assistant general manager Brandon Weems, whom Paul called family to James.
The one complication Paul raised: Darius Garland, a fellow Klutch Sports client, is gone after the Cavaliers moved him in the trade for James Harden — a loss Paul suggested matters given the same regard he holds for Maxey in Philadelphia.
The Rest of the Board
Miami’s case centered on continuity, with Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra and a starting five already built around Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Andrew Wiggins and Davion Mitchell. Denver and Minnesota both got full breakdowns, though Paul’s personal relationship with the Nuggets’ Kroenke family appeared to give Denver an edge in his own thinking.
Golden State’s spot on the board was strikingly late for a team widely assumed to be a favorite — Paul listed only Stephen Curry and Draymond Green and offered little else. Boston and San Antonio drew brief mentions apiece, tied to Jayson Tatum and Victor Wembanyama, respectively, without much sense from Paul that either is a real threat.
New York closed out the board, and Paul suggested the Knicks would have been the pick outright had they not just won a championship.
What’s Next
Paul isn’t rushing any of it, and free agency is already several days old without resolution. By his own board, Cleveland and Philadelphia look like the two teams best positioned once James does decide — leaving Dallas to see whether Ujiri’s business ties are enough to get James’ attention on their own.
More Mavericks Coverage on Dallas Hoops Journal
- Dallas Mavericks Sign Rookie Tobi Lawal To Two-Way Contract
- Sergio De Larrea Signs Rookie Contract, Won’t Be Draft-And-Stash For Dallas Mavericks
- Dallas Mavericks Make LeBron James’ Free Agency Board, But Rich Paul’s Pitch Skips The Roster
- Sources: Dallas Mavericks Agree To Trade For Santi Aldama From Memphis Grizzlies
- Sources: Dallas Mavericks Extend Qualifying Offer To Moussa Cissé
- Dusty May Calls Dallas Mavericks Move ‘Almost Too Big Of A Dream,’ Centers Vision On Cooper Flagg
- Sources: Dallas Mavericks Exercising Ryan Nembhard’s Team Option
- Dallas Mavericks Have Discussed A Kawhi Leonard Trade With The LA Clippers
- ‘Don’t Forget Who I Am’: Dallas Mavericks Center Dereck Lively II Won’t Rush Return From Foot Surgery
- Morez Johnson Jr. Embraces ‘Junkyard Dog’ Role With Dallas Mavericks
