Following his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers in June, LeBron James reportedly has all the information he needs from teams and is now weighing his options, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes.
A free agency decision now appears to be imminent. The favorites to land the 41-year-old’s services include familiar names like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat, but don’t count out the possibility of James closing his career with a new team such as the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves or Denver Nuggets.
As the NBA world waits for James to announce where he will write the closing chapter on his storybook career, here’s the latest we’re hearing on where things stand on The Decision 3.0:
1 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Dec 28, 2021.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
1 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts after scoring a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on Dec 28, 2021.
(Troy Taormina, Imagn Images)
2 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
LeBron James answers a question during an interview session with reporters during the Los Angeles Lakers media day at the UCLA Health Training Center on Sept. 24, 2018 during his first season with the team.
(Robert Hanashiro, Imagn Images)
3 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James goes up for a dunk in the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center on Oct. 27, 2019.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
4 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James celebrates after a dunk by guard Danny Green during the second quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on Nov. 17, 2019.
(Kelvin Kuo, Imagn Images)
5 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James takes center court to speak to fans before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on Jan. 31, 2020.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
6 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures to a referee after a foul call during the first quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at Staples Center on Feb. 21, 2020
(Robert Hanashiro, Imagn Images)
7 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
LeBron James and Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers in a Black Lives Matter Shirt kneel with their teammates during the national anthem prior to the game against the LA Clippers at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on July 30, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on July 30, 2020.
(Pool photo by Mike Ehrmann via Imagn Images)
8 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) holds up four fingers after winning his fourth NBA championship after game six of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena on Oct. 11, 2020.
(Kim Klement, Imagn Images)
9 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after receiving 2020 NBA Championship ring before a game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Dec. 22, 2020.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
10 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James lands on fans sitting court side as he dives after a ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 24, 2023
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
11 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Former Los Angeles Lakers player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hands the game ball to forward LeBron James (6) after James becomes the NBA all time scoring leader against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 7, 2023.
(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)
12 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) with forward Anthony Davis (3) during a stoppage in play against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Crypto.com Arena on April 11, 2023.
(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)
13 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center on Nov. 27, 2023.
(Bill Streicher, Imagn Images)
14 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James shoots the ball against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) in the NBA In Season Tournament Semifinal at T-Mobile Arena on Dec. 7, 2023.
(Kyle Terada, Imagn Images)
15 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) warms up on the court prior to he start of the game against the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on Jan. 30, 2024.
(Dale Zanine, Imagn Images)
16 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James prepares for the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on Mar. 31, 2024.
(Vincent Carchietta, Imagn Images)
17 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) scores a basket against the Miami Heat as center Jaxson Hayes (11) reacts during the second half at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 15, 2025.
(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)
18 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James dribbles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on Feb. 25, 2025.
(Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images)
19 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots past Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) and Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) during the second half at American Airlines Center on April 9, 2025.
(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)
20 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at Kia Center on Mar. 21, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
21 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after dunking the ball against the Orlando Magic in the first quarter at Kia Center on Mar. 21, 2026.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
22 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) defends during the first half at American Airlines Center on April 5, 2026.
(Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images)
23 / 23
Look back at LeBron James’ iconic Lakers moments
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) and guard Amen Thompson (1) in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 18, 2026.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
LeBron James next team: Are Warriors favorites for the King?
12:34 PM ET, July 16 2026, Andrés Soto
Front Office Sports reported on Tuesday that several NBA front office executives expect LeBron to sign with the Warriors over the Cavs, citing the proximity to his family in Los Angeles and the on-court fit alongside Steph Curry compared to Cleveland, which has James Harden, Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
“I would be stunned if he picked a team that wasn’t Golden State or Cleveland,” an anonymous Western Conference executive said in the report.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James decision live updates, rumors on when star chooses next team
