LeBron James agent: 12-14 teams interested to start NBA free agency

The agent for LeBron James indicated nearly half the teams in the NBA are interested in signing the league’s all-time leading scorer and the decision won’t be about money.

Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul said he spoke with “12 to 14” teams about James after NBA free agency negotiations officially began during an episode of The Ringer’s “Game Over” podcast featuring Paul and former ESPN commentator Max Kellerman released on Wednesday, July 1. Paul also confirmed the Golden State Warriors were one of the teams to contact him regarding James, but remained non-committal about any favorites to land his 41-year-old client.

James announced on Tuesday he plans to play elsewhere next season after spending the past eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers. Paul revealed negotiations with the Lakers never reached the point where the team’s front office made a formal contract offer to James.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

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NBA commissioner Adam Silver poses with 2026 draft prospects before the NBA Draft at Barclays Center.

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“There didn’t need to be one,” Paul told Kellerman. “They wanted to bring him back, obviously, but there didn’t need to be one and I didn’t want to waste anyone’s time.”

Paul explained that James began the NBA offseason telling Paul he was “80%” about a return to the Lakers, but his thinking progressively changed even though remaining with the franchise would have netted James his biggest potential payday.

“I don’t believe that there was anything that took place,” Paul said about James’ shift in mindset. “… I think you get to a place where in your mind, you start to decide, OK, it’s time for me to move on elsewhere.”

Paul reiterated James is in search of “complete happiness” and money won’t dictate his potential landing spot for the first time in his career. Paul would not put a timeline on when James might decide on his next team.

“His legacy is etched in stone,” Paul said, “but if you can find humility and peace and still be competitive and give yourself the chance at the possibility of winning, that is complete happiness. That’s the Holy Grail. That’s all you can ask for.”

“I think we’ll look at all situations,” Paul added, “and ultimately he’ll make the best decision for him.”