Rich Paul says LeBron James is going to steer his own free-agency call, even as the noise around the NBA keeps building.
In an interview with Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson of ScoopB.com, James’ agent said he’s there to guide the process, but not to make the decision for him.
“LeBron will make his own decision,” Paul told Robinson. “I’m rolling with him.”
Paul also pushed back on the idea that his recent podcast comments about Cleveland’s roster construction - made after the trade that sent Klutch Sports client Darius Garland to the Clippers - signaled a deeper issue with the Cavaliers or with new Cleveland guard James Harden.
Some around the league had read those remarks as a possible sign Paul wasn’t convinced about Cleveland’s outlook, or that there was friction involving Harden. Paul shut that down.
“I like James Harden,” Paul said. “He’s actually my friend.”
He also made clear that his frustration over Garland’s departure hasn’t changed his view of the Cavs’ leadership group.
“I rock with Dan Gilbert, Chris Grant, Koby Altman and Brandon Weems,” Paul told Robinson.
Grant hasn’t been with the Cavs for more than a decade, but Paul’s comments still underline how many long-running ties he’s kept around the organization.
James remains most closely tied 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 also 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 growing anticipation that his long-awaited free-agency choice 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...
49ers Fans Can Feel This Blockbuster Defensive Dilemma Building
Maxx Crosbys name is back in the trade conversation, and for a team like the 49ers, that kind of buzz always lands with extra weight. He remains with the Raiders after a previous deal was rescinded, but the idea that he could be on the move before the NFL trade deadline has only added to the intrigue around one of the leagues most disruptive edge defenders.
Crosbys appeal is obvious. Even in an injury-shortened 2025 season, he still produced at an elite level with 10 sacks and 28 tackles for loss, the kind of impact that can reshape a defense. The question for San Francisco is less about fit than cost, because a player with that resume is going to come with a steep price and the 49ers have to decide how much they are willing to give up to chase that kind of upgrade. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Have One Quiet Bargain And One Growing Cap Problem
The 49ers are heading toward 2026 with a rare bit of financial breathing room, sitting on nearly $72 million in available salary cap space and planning to roll some of it over because of the way several contracts are structured. In that kind of setup, the margins matter, and one of the clearest wins on the roster comes from Mike McKivitz, whose play has outpaced his price tag and made him look like a true bargain for a team that has spent plenty elsewhere.
The tougher side of the ledger is Brandon Aiyuk, whose deal has become the kind of cap issue teams try to avoid. If the 49ers decide to move on, they would not be getting much return from the contract itself, which is why his situation stands out as the roster's biggest financial headache even with all that projected space. [Read more 🡒]
49ers May Already Have Their Reason For Passing On Maxx Crosby
The Maxx Crosby chatter has lingered around the 49ers for weeks, but by mid-July there still had been no move, and there may be a simpler explanation than cap gymnastics or trade-package debate. Former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has been talking up Alfred Collins, saying the young lineman has made real strides and brings the kind of work ethic that can turn a promising interior piece into a problem for offenses, which is the sort of internal development San Francisco has increasingly valued.
That matters because the 49ers appear to be building their front seven with patience, not urgency, and Collins is part of a broader group the team wants to grow into bigger roles. Along with Mykel Williams and C.J. West, he fits a long-view plan that points toward 2026 and away from another blockbuster swing, especially for a team that has learned plenty from past trade decisions and seems content to let its own young defenders answer the biggest questions first. [Read more 🡒]