They\u2019re in no rush despite how badly the basketball world wishes the NBA\u2019s all-time scoring leader would make a choice.<\/p>\n
“There\u2019s been several people to call and say, \u2018Hey, Rich, is there anything more we should be doing? We could be doing?’ And my answer is, \u2018No. We don\u2019t need you to go above and beyond about anything. We understand it. It\u2019s clear. All the messages have been sent,\u2019” Paul said on the “Game Over” podcast<\/a> with Max Kellerman.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM<\/a><\/p>\n Rich Paul talks with LeBron James of the Los Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., on Jan. 4, 2026. (Getty Images)<\/p>\n Paul is basically saying James has all the information he needs from prospective teams, enough so that he will be content with whatever choice he ends up making.<\/p>\n However, Paul stressed that James will do so when he\u2019s ready. And Paul has no clue when, or where, that\u2019s going to happen.<\/p>\n LEBRON JAMES TELLS LOS ANGELES LAKERS HE WILL LEAVE IN FREE AGENCY AFTER EIGHT SEASONS: REPORT<\/a><\/p>\n “These people don\u2019t know anything. I don\u2019t know when his choice is going to be made, but it could be 48 seconds [from now],” Paul explained. “It could be 48 minutes. I don\u2019t know. Again, you can\u2019t make somebody know something that they don\u2019t know.”<\/p>\n It\u2019s gotten to the point where James\u2019 free-agent decision has caused drama throughout the NBA world, as anticipation rises with every day that passes without word.<\/p>\n At Fanatics Fest<\/a> this past weekend, James made several appearances, where crowds flooded the Javits Center in Manhattan to see if he would reveal where he\u2019s going. They were disappointed when he had nothing to reveal.<\/p>\n Lakers forward LeBron James stands on the court in the closing minutes of Game 4 of the playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Mark J. Terrill\/AP)<\/p>\n Even NBA Commissioner Adam Silver mentioned that James\u2019 decision is holding up the league\u2019s schedule for next season. Paul mentioned that he met with Silver to discuss that situation, reiterating that James will make the decision when he\u2019s ready \u2013 not because of any other factor.<\/p>\n The arguable basketball “G.O.A.T.” helped the Lakers earn the No. 4 seed in a strong Western Conference this past season, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds across 60 games. And though Luka Doncic was unavailable in the playoffs, James was able to lead the Lakers past the Houston Rockets in the first round before a sweep to the Oklahoma City Thunder in May.<\/p>\n James will turn 42 during the 2026-27 NBA season, but the 22-time All-Star and four-time MVP continues to prove his worth.<\/p>\n LeBron James speaks onstage during the Mind the Game panel at Fanatics Fest at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City on July 16, 2026. (Roy Rochlin\/Getty Images for Fanatics)<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n SIGN UP TO GET THE LATEST SPORTS NEWS<\/a><\/p>\n But, for those believing he\u2019s dragging out yet another decision longer than it needs to be, Paul is stern with his response: James won\u2019t be rushed.<\/p>\n The league \u2013 the world \u2013 will just have to keep waiting for the right time.<\/p>\n Follow Fox News Digital\u2019s sports coverage on X<\/a> and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n![\"Rich](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/rich-paul-lebron-james-lakers.jpg\")
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