Akron native LeBron James continued to keep the basketball world in suspense while recording an episode of his “Mind the Game” podcast in front of an large audience on Thursday, July 16, at Fanatics Fest NYC.
James did not reveal which NBA team he will join in free agency.
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“It’s going to be fun wherever I land,” James said.
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton served as James’ special guest and podcast co-host at the Javits Center in New York. When Haliburton asked James about his free-agency decision, James said, “We literally talked about this” backstage. Haliburton replied, “OK. OK. I’ll leave it alone.”
Through agent Rich Paul, James notified the Los Angeles Lakers on June 30 he would leave LA in free agency after spending the past eight seasons there.
On Paul’s “Game Over” podcast, the agent listed on a whiteboard the following 10 teams as options for James: the Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors.
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The Cavs, Heat, 76ers and Warriors are widely considered the suitors most likely to secure the 41-year-old James, a four-time NBA champion, a 22-time All-Star, a four-time Most Valuable Player and a four-time Finals MVP.
“How do I feel about free agency? Obviously, it’s a big decision,” James said on his podcast at Fanatics Fest. “This is the third time in my career that I’ve been a free agent. So, it’s a big decision for not only myself, but for my family as well and just for the last part of my career and where I want to spend the last few years or the last year or the last two years of my NBA career.
“I’m a natural born leader. I’m going to try to fit into whatever team I’m going into, but also give them all the tools and give them all the knowledge that I’ve been able to grasp over the last 23 years. I know the game. I know the ins and outs about the game of basketball.”
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No one has played in the NBA as long as James, who entered the league when the Cavs drafted him first overall out of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in 2003 and who’s on the verge of entering his 24th season.
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“I love to play, man. I love the competition. I love going out there, playing against the best in the world and still being able to inspire the younger generation, also inspire my generation,” James said on the “Mind the Game” podcast while explaining his desire to continue his career. “It’s a lot of people in my age bracket, not only in sports, but also just in life just seeing if they can still put up the same effort that they did maybe five years ago or 10 years ago and still give it all that they’ve got.”
James has other scheduled speaking engagements at Fanatics Fest. He’s set to appear on CNBC Sport x Boardroom’s Game Plan Summit at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 16, and fill a guest role during a live recording of “The Shop” talk show at noon Friday, July 17.
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: LeBron James doesn’t reveal decision on ‘Mind the Game’ podcast
