Rich Paul says LeBron James is going to steer his own free-agency call, even as the buzz around where he lands keeps building.
In an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of ScoopB.com, James’ agent said he is advising the longtime star through the process, but not making the decision for him.
“LeBron will make his own decision,” Paul told Robinson. “I’m rolling with him.”
Paul also took time to push back on the chatter that followed his podcast comments about the Cavs’ roster after the trade that sent Klutch Sports client Darius Garland to the Clippers. Those remarks sparked questions about whether he had doubts about Cleveland’s outlook or any issue with new Cavaliers guard James Harden.
Paul said that wasn’t the case.
“I like James Harden,” Paul said. “He’s actually my friend.”
He also made it clear that his frustration over Garland being dealt has not changed his view of the organization.
“I rock with Dan Gilbert, Chris Grant, Koby Altman and Brandon Weems,” Paul told Robinson.
Grant has not been with the Cavs in more than 10 years, but Paul’s comments underscored how long those relationships have lasted around the franchise.
James remains tied most closely to the Cavs, Warriors, Heat, 76ers and Timberwolves. League sources continue to tell Hoops Wire that Cleveland is seen as the frontrunner, while Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami are all believed to be pushing hard.
James is expected to be at Fanatics Fest in New York later this week, and around the league there’s a growing sense that his long-awaited free-agency decision could come at any moment.
Robinson’s feature also includes conversations with Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Ben Simmons, Dean Wade and Thomas Bryant, plus a deeper look at how the Cavs and 76ers compare as possible landing spots for James.
In Other News...
Donovan Mitchell Just Sent The Strongest LeBron Signal Yet
Donovan Mitchell has finally said the quiet part out loud when it comes to LeBron James, and for Cleveland that alone is notable. After months of staying mostly silent on the subject, Mitchell publicly made his pitch for James to come back, a shift that lands differently now that Mitchell has locked in his own future with the Cavaliers on a long-term extension.
The timing matters because Clevelands interest in bringing James home has never really gone away, even if the conversation has usually been handled carefully. James remains an unrestricted free agent weighing his options, and while no decision is expected soon, Mitchells willingness to speak so directly gives the Cavaliers pursuit a more visible face than it had before. [Read more 🡒]
Cavs Close Summer League With A Win And Bigger Rotation Questions
The Cavaliers wrapped up their Summer League stay in Las Vegas with an 82-77 win over the Pelicans, finishing 2-2 and missing out on the knockout round. Even so, there was still a useful final look for Cleveland, which chose to keep rookie Meleek Thomas on the sideline to avoid any injury after he had been the clubs summer standout.
Malaki Branham led the way with 22 points, while Jaxson Robinson added 13 and continued to flash the kind of shot-making that can keep him in the conversation. The two-way group was more uneven, with Ernest Udeh Jr. providing work on the glass and at the rim and Riley Minix finally breaking through from deep after a long stretch of misses, leaving the Cavs with a few more rotation questions than answers as the summer winds down. [Read more 🡒]
Cavaliers Suddenly Sit At Center Of Two Massive East Storylines
Mike Ganseys first major move as the 76ers team president already says plenty about the kind of front office he wants to run. He made a significant trade to bring in Jaylen Brown, a splashy swing that instantly changed the conversation around Philadelphia and added another layer to an Eastern Conference that already feels crowded with ambition, pressure and unfinished business. It also comes with a familiar Cleveland connection, since Gansey has leaned on lessons from his time with the Cavaliers as he settles into the job.
The ripple effects do not stop there. Jalen Brunson recently revealed the wrist injury that eventually required surgery, a reminder that the Easts recent playoff battles were more physical and more costly than they looked in real time. Even the Nets, in a Summer League game, showed the kind of defensive energy that can matter down the line, while the biggest looming question remains the one hanging over LeBron James and his next move, with several contenders still waiting to see how it all shakes out. [Read more 🡒]