The wait for LeBron James continues as the rest of the NBA’s free agents continue to negotiate and secure a place to play for the upcoming season.
James continues to weigh his options, likely watching with a close eye as the movement happens among 29 of the 30 teams in the league.
The four-time MVP informed the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, June 30, that he would not be returning to the franchise and would explore free agency after eight years in Los Angeles.
While James searches for a new team, Jaylen Brown found one on Wednesday, July 1. Brown is coming off one of his best individual seasons, finishing sixth in the regular season MVP voting, but the Boston Celtics sent Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and four draft picks.
USA TODAY Sports is tracking all of the latest news, signings, trades and rumors with NBA free agency in full gear. Here’s what’s happening around the league at this moment:
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
Who are top remaining NBA free agents?
Jalen Duren, center
The 22-year-old center remains one of the top free agents available. Duren’s options have become smaller after other centers went off the market, including Walker Kessler (Lakers) and Mitchell Robinson (Celtics).
Peyton Watson, wing
Watson continued to improve with each season he spent with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 54 games played this past season. He is a restricted free agent.
Rui Hachimura, forward
Hachimura has been a solid player for the Lakers in recent years. He’s been linked to the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs. He averaged 11.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 68 games played last year. He also finished with a 44.3 percentage from the 3-point line.
Marvin Bagley III agreed to a one-year deal with the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Bagley played with both the Washington Wizards and the Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 10.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games played. He was a part of a 3-team trade in February.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA free agency LIVE updates: LeBron James rumors, trades and more
