LeBron James decision not expected soon, says Shams Charania

LeBron James is still not ready to make his next move.

According to Shams Charania, a decision on where James will play next season is not expected soon, leaving the NBA’s free agent market stuck in a waiting game that could stretch for weeks.

James plans to spend this week with family and friends while continuing to weigh his options for his record 24th NBA season. That means the teams still involved in the chase may have to keep operating in limbo while the league’s biggest free agent takes his time.

The field also appears to be narrowing.

Charania reported that the Denver Nuggets have been removed from James’ list of potential destinations. That leaves five teams still connected to the sweepstakes: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors.

Each option comes with a different kind of appeal.

Cleveland offers the full-circle ending, Miami offers history and familiarity. Minnesota offers a ready-made contender built around Anthony Edwards. Joining Stephen Curry in Golden State offers the wildest basketball theater with two heated rivals on one team

Philadelphia has emerged as one of the more intriguing teams, with the Sixers reportedly making a serious pitch around a win-now core.

But none of that appears to be forcing James into a quick decision.

Rich Paul recently suggested the process would not move quickly, saying he did not think a decision would happen “anytime soon” or within the next few days.

That tracks with Charania’s latest reporting, which makes clear the NBA may be waiting on James longer than they would prefer as James decides which offers the closest thing to “complete happiness”

That is the difficult part for the rest of the market. James may be 41, but he remains the biggest domino available. Even at this stage of his career, he can change a team’s ceiling, alter the balance of power in either conference and force rival front offices to adjust their own plans.

The Warriors, Cavaliers, Heat, Sixers and Timberwolves can all make their cases.

James, though, still controls the clock.

And for now, the NBA is still waiting.

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