LeBron James has everyone guessing again, and that’s exactly the point

The overwhelming consensus from NBA sources on the landing spot of LeBron James is simple:

No one has any idea.

The Cavaliers? The Warriors? The 76ers? The Heat? The clues are many. The clues are few. He played this game in 2010. Again in 2014. And, to a lesser extent, in 2018. Now he’s doing it all over again.

Those who have spoken to Hoops Wire say they again cannot get a feel for what James might do. Some are leaning Cavs. Others are leaning Warriors. Some say the 76ers are the favorites after landing Jaylen Brown in a trade with the Celtics.

Now, agent Rich Paul actually opened up about all this on the Game Over podcast. Paul dropped some hints. He offered some pros and cons on the Cavs, Sixers, Timberwolves, Heat and Nuggets. He mentioned the Warriors, Mavericks, Knicks, Spurs and Celtics.

So much for the idea that LeBron’s camp is operating in total secrecy. Nothing wrong with what Paul did there. But he knew people would read a lot into his comments. It was a clear attempt to keep LeBron in the conversation, to keep everyone guessing.

As if Paul and James needed to try any harder.

The difference this time is James is 41 years old. He is still very good, occasionally amazing. But he alone is no longer changing the course of your franchise. He’s helping — a lot. He’ll move merchandise. He’s still basketball’s biggest celebrity. But as far as putting, say, the Pelicans on his back and leading them to amazing things?

Yeah, probably not.

Nevertheless, he is still the player everyone is waiting on. The Cavs and Warriors, for instance, seem to have put their entire offseasons on hold until James makes an announcement.

Notice how the word used there wasn’t a “decision”? That’s because many around the NBA believe his mind is already made up.

Which team that is, though, remains anyone’s guess. And that’s precisely the way LeBron wants it.