For the first time in eight years, LeBron James is truly testing the market, and it seems as though he’s having some fun.
The name atop the NBA’s available free agents, James’ courtship has been top of mind for basketball fans since he decided he wouldn’t be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2026-27 season on June 30th.
Though he’s yet to decide on a final destination, James did make his first notable public appearance on Thursday at Fanatics Fest in New York for a live recording of the “Mind the Game” podcast alongside Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers.
While he quickly shut down a question from Haliburton as to where he might be going next, implying that he had mentioned before the show that he didn’t want to talk about it, he did later spend some time chatting about his impending decision.
“It’s gonna be pretty fun. It’s gonna be pretty fun wherever I land. I’m gonna do what I do best,” James said, making it clear that he still thinks he’s got plenty of gas left in the tank. “I seen something on social media the other day that, wherever I go, that we’d be in the play-in or some s— like that and I’m not a factor anymore… So that’s just a little motivation.”
Several teams around the league have been mentioned as potential destinations for the 41-soon-to-be-42-year-old, with squads like the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and the Cleveland Cavaliers leading the charge.
Players from those sides have also begun pitching James: Steph Curry of the Warriors recruited him on Good Morning America on Wednesday; Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey of the 76ers have reportedly been in touch with James; and Timberwolves president Tim Connelly made a public pitch on Tuesday.
Fans at the Fanatics Fest joined in on the fun Thursday, chanting their respective teams in hopes of swaying the King.
“I hear Warriors, I hear Philly, Miami. This guy just told me to come to the Yankees…” James joked. “We’ll see what happens. We’ll see what happens.”