liveUpdated 11m agoLeBron James left the Lakers weeks ago but is still deciding where he will play next season. Follow along for live updates before, during and after his eventual decision.The Athletic NBA StaffJuly 23, 2026 at 10:46 AM EDTLeBron James announced his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers in late June. Getty ImagesThe NBA still waits on LeBron JamesLeBron James has put the NBA at a standstill as he decides the team he wishes to join for his NBA-record 24th NBA season. The NBA's all-time leading scorer made several public appearances last week at Fanatics Fest in New York City, but outside of saying “I won’t hold you guys up too much longer,” James did not convey his decision or provide a timetable for when he would make it. James is still being pursued by the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers. He is an unrestricted free agent after announcing his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers in late June.Follow here for the latest on the situation from our reporters. LeBron's final game as a Laker ReutersIn what turned out to be LeBron James' final game as a Laker, the star forward put forth a solid effort in a Game 4 loss as Los Angeles was swept by the Oklahoma CIty Thunder in the second round of the postseason.The 41-year-old scored 24 points on 8-of-18 shooting, adding 12 boards, three assists in 40 minutes. Overall in the 2026 postseason, James averaged 23.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists while shooting 45.9 percent from the field and 32.7 percent from deep.Father time is starting to catch up with LeBron but these numbers, especially without Luka Doncic all together and Austin Reaves for a majority of the first round, underscore the impact James can still have on a contending team.When will LeBron James choose his next NBA stop? Joshua Gateley / Getty ImagesHow many days into this wait before can officially call this The Indecision?Could LeBron play at 2028 Olympics? Getty ImagesWhile we wait for LeBron James to choose his next NBA team, let's discuss his international career playing for Team USA. The World Cup is fresh in mind, and both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo provide interesting comparisons for James. Messi just singlehandedly carried Argentina to a runners-up finish in the tournament at the age of 39. When he and his team-mates won the 2022 World Cup when he was 35, no one expected him to be playing at such a high level four years later. Ronaldo, on the other hand, has been a cautionary tale about hanging on too long. His declining performances were an impediment to Portugal's chances four years ago at the age of 37, and even more so this time around at 41. James has played in the Olympics four times: 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2024. He ranks first all-time in assists for Team USA at the Games, and second in points, rebounds, steals and games played. At Paris in 2024, he also became the first men's basketball player to be a flag bearer for Team USA.All signs point to James playing the 2026-27 NBA season (as opposed to retiring). If that's the case, it would only take one more season to reach the summer of 2028 and a home Olympics in Los Angeles. The allure of hanging on for one last gold medal would be strong. Would you bet against him playing at a high enough level to make the team?Your thoughts on LeBron's decision Imagn Images via ReutersHere's a sampling of how some of our readers are feeling about LeBron's free agency choices. You can get involved by heading over to our discussion page, or by emailing live@theathletic.com.💬 Keir B.: Maybe think outside the box. James to Pistons to play along Cade Cunningham.💬 Bob B.: What if the real news is that LeBron can’t decide between not great choices. Teams unlikely to go deep in the playoffs, teams that can’t pay him a fraction of what their top player makes, and teams where he won’t be the top dog seem like his options.💬 David D.: This old Cavs fan going back to the 1976 Miracle of Richfield thinks go-round #3 with the Cavs would be a win-win-win for Cavs-LBJ-League. 💬 Tom M.: Surprised the Heat have the best odds. He seemed to leave that organization on less than great terms and that doesn’t seem to have changed in the meanwhile.Did you know? Getty ImagesHere's one detail about LeBron James' career that really surprised me: His stint with the Lakers was the longest of his career, exceeding the length of his original tenure with the Cavaliers. His career started with seven seasons in Cleveland, before he famously (or infamously) moved to Miami for four years. He then returned to the Cavs for four years, before heading to Los Angeles. He spent eight years with the Lakers, a number I personally would've guessed was lower. Given his time with the Lakers began in 2018, I'm sure the pandemic had a significant impact on my perception of time during those years. But this fact still caught me off guard. Am I the only one who wants LeBron James to pick Golden State so he can tell a national TV audience that he's "taking my talents to North Beach"?Rich Paul spending weekend in Cleveland Getty ImagesNow, look, they make planes that could get the man from Cleveland to South Beach in plenty of time for this alleged July 27 presser that was a mistake and is not happening. But it is interesting to me that LeBron's agent Rich Paul announced he (Paul) would be in Cleveland all weekend for a football camp. Rich is from Cleveland and represents football players too. On Instagram, Mr. Paul said "Growing up in a city that never promised shortcuts, my journey is proof that where you start doesn't define where you finish. To see the Best Comes From Cleveland, I'm coming home this weekend for a special training clinic with local high school football and flag football players."The Winnipeg Jets are not giving up the pursuit. Heat job posting preceded YouTube mistake LinkedInAfter the snafu over the Heat YouTube channel accidentally posting a link to a July 27 live stream for a "LeBron James Introductory Press Conference," a few sleuths on social media noticed a Heat job opening for "Director, YouTube Strategy" that was reposted on LinkedIn yesterday. A few inferred that the two events were related.For what it's worth, though, the job was initially posted on July 1 on the Heat's careers page.LeBron vs. entire NBA Draft classes Getty ImagesHow prolific has LeBron James’ production been during his 23 seasons in the NBA?As you likely know, he’s the all-time career points leader with 43,440. (And that does not include the 8,521 points in the playoffs, which is also, by far, the most in NBA history.)It’s nearly double the combined points (22,272) for the one season the 2025 NBA Draft class has played. Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel led the ’25 class with 1,489 points.James’ career total is also 2,033 more than the 2024 draft class's total of 41,407, which features 55 players who have scored a least one point in an NBA game. The Spurs’ Stephon Castle leads the ’24 class with 2,323 career points.Heat surge in LeBron betting odds Imagn Images via ReutersWhile the Miami Heat have explained that last night’s YouTube link announcing the signing of LeBron James was a mistake that doesn’t indicate he’s signing there, it’s clear that a portion of the public doesn’t believe that. The Heat have surged in the betting odds to sign James today, moving from co-favorites with the Cleveland Cavaliers at +150 to outright favorites.Here’s a look at the current consensus odds:Miami Heat: -125Cleveland Cavaliers: +240Golden State Warriors: +550Philadelphia 76ers: +950Minnesota Timberwolves: +6000Any other team: +10000Did Adam Silver slow LeBron down? Gary A. Vasquez / USA TodayLast week, LeBron James indicated he was close to his decision, saying he "won't hold you guys up too much longer." Six days later, he's still holding everyone up.There are all sorts of possible reasons why, but I keep going back to something Draymond Green said on his most recent podcast episode.Last week, Adam Silver said he needs James to make up his mind so the league can finalize next week's schedule. Green, who knows James well, suggested that had the opposite effect."Adam saying that is not going to speed up LeBron's decision at all," Green said last episode. "If I know Bron well, if anything, it may slow his decision down a little more because that's just how Bron is.Green did say he thinks James' decision is coming "sooner rather than later."Rich Paul: 'Just have a little patience' with LeBron Gary A. Vasquez / USA TodayOn Tuesday morning, several hours before the Heat’s mishap, Klutch Sports CEO and LeBron James’ longtime agent, Rich Paul, preached patience, telling ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” that no decision has been made.“Just have a little patience with him,” Paul said. “Obviously, it’s his choice. … This is a very important choice for him, and you cannot rush it. I think he’s earned the right to not be rushed.”“It’s not a thing where you’re toying with people’s emotions. This man has a very important, layered decision to make across business, across family, across basketball. You just have to be patient with him.”Heat say link for LeBron James introductory presser was a mistake For a moment, it looked like the Miami Heat knew LeBron James’ next destination. Then, they quickly said it was all just an innocent mistake.