The wait for LeBron James' free agency decision may have gotten even longer because of comments from NBA commissioner Adam Silver.
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Speaking on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland, radio host Andy Baskin said a source told him James' camp had "probably" been ready to reveal his decision the week of July 12 before plans changed.
"Last week, LeBron's crew was probably ready to make an announcement," Baskin said. "They were probably comfortable making an announcement as early as last week."
According to Baskin, the timeline shifted after Silver publicly acknowledged that James' unsigned status was delaying the NBA from finalizing its 2026-27 schedule.
"They were telling them what to do," Baskin said. "'Irritated' was the word I was told, by the commissioner pushing them... so they decided to hold back."
"Here's what I was told yesterday by a reliable source. Last week, LeBron's crew was probably ready to make an announcement. 'Irritated' was the word I was told, by the commissioner pushing them...so they decided to hold back."
🚨 Andy Baskin on the latest with what he was told… pic.twitter.com/xEC5rcIVhr
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) July 22, 2026
Neither James nor his representatives have commented publicly on the report.
The four-time NBA champion has remained the biggest story of the offseason since informing the Lakers he would not return for a 24th season in Los Angeles.
Although several teams have been linked to James throughout the summer, he has yet to announce where he plans to play next.
The Cavaliers, Heat, Warriors and 76ers have consistently been mentioned among the leading possibilities, though there has been little public indication of where James is ultimately headed.
Either way, the NBA's biggest offseason question remains unanswered. And if Baskin's report is accurate, the timeline may have been affected by comments made from the league office itself.
