LeBron minding the game, and playing the game, as only he can

If LeBron James was planning to end the suspense Thursday, he had plenty of opportunities.

He passed on every one of them.

James spent more than an hour on stage with Tyrese Haliburton during a live recording of Mind the Game at Fanatics Fest in New York, and while the basketball conversation was entertaining, the biggest topic in the room never really changed.

Where’s LeBron going? Haliburton tried to find out more than once.

Early in the show, he attempted to ask James directly about his free-agency decision. James smiled.

“Didn’t we already talk about this in the back?” he replied.

Haliburton laughed and backed off. “I’ll leave it alone.”

Near the end of the show, Haliburton decided to give it one more shot.

“Before we leave,” he said, “is there a decision yet?”

Then, before James could even answer, Haliburton started laughing.

“I’m kidding. I’m kidding. No decision.”

That pretty much summed up the afternoon.

James also had another chance to drop a clue when he was asked to name the favorite team of his career.

Instead of picking one, he mentioned the Heat championship teams, Cleveland’s 2016 title squad, the Lakers’ 2020 championship team and even the 2008 U.S. Olympic “Redeem Team.”

In other words … Nothing.

James has now spent weeks politely sidestepping the biggest question in basketball, and Thursday was no different.

Whether that’s because he truly hasn’t decided or simply enjoys keeping everyone guessing is known only to him.

All we know for certain is the NBA is still waiting. For some fans, the waiting is fun. Others are getting anxious. Same with general managers, players, and coaches.

But as LeBron has often said, “It’s just basketball.” And this is just how LeBron James sometimes plays the game in the summer.