Rich Paul, the agent for NBA superstar LeBron James, stated on Monday that his 41-year-old client has 10 realistic destinations for next season after James announced he would leave the Los Angeles Lakers. James, a four-time NBA champion and four-time Most Valuable Player, declared earlier this week that he would not return to the Lakers and seeks a new team in free agency for his 24th NBA campaign.
Agent Fielding Calls from Multiple Teams
Paul said he has received numerous calls from NBA teams, which he conveyed to James as a testament to his career and expected skill at age 41. "These calls I'm getting are a true testament to how you have respect in this game," Paul said he told James in an edition of his "Game Over" podcast released on Friday.
A large whiteboard displayed teams Paul considers logical fits for James, including the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Paul also mentioned Dallas, Boston, San Antonio, and New York, adding that James would have joined the Knicks had they not won the NBA title last month.
Knicks and Other Contenders
"If the Knicks hadn't have won, there wouldn't even be no board. He would be going to the Knicks," Paul said. Philadelphia strengthened its case by reportedly acquiring Jaylen Brown from Boston in a deal that cannot be signed or confirmed until next week under NBA free agency rules. Paul noted that adding James to a starting lineup of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, and Brown would create a formidable squad.
"How could not have (his) attention when you have Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown and Embiid?" Paul said, adding that James "unlocks everything there" and "everything changed" when Brown joined Philadelphia.
Heat, Nuggets, and Timberwolves
Paul also highlighted the Miami Heat, who added Giannis Antetokounmpo to Bam Adebayo, Davion Mitchell, and Andrew Wiggins, as well as the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. When asked about longshot mentions like San Antonio or Boston, Paul said if a club wasn't in consideration, "they wouldn't be on the board."
Golden State, represented by Stephen Curry and Draymond Green on the board, was placed in a distant corner rather than among the top contenders. "Think what you want," Paul said. "This is just my board."
Future Beyond Next Season
Regarding James's future beyond this season, Paul teased that it might not be his last year. "Who says this is going to be his last year?" Paul said. James turns 42 in December.
In related moves reported by ESPN on Friday, the Lakers traded Deandre Ayton to Washington for Jaden Hardy and two future second-round NBA Draft picks. Hardy signed an $8.1 million player option for next season last week. The Lakers also acquired Walker Kessler from Utah in a four-year sign-and-trade deal worth $130 million to address their center needs.
