{"id":2058,"date":"2026-07-09T02:24:37","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T21:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=2058"},"modified":"2026-07-09T02:24:37","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T21:24:37","slug":"lebron-james-could-face-backlash-with-free-agency-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=2058","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James could face backlash with free agency decision"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p>LeBron James is no <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/07\/sports\/savannah-james-calls-out-lebron-critics-amid-lakers-decision\/\">stranger to criticism or public scrutiny<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>As one of the NBA\u2019s superstars, the 41-year-old is <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/05\/sports\/lebron-james-free-agency-has-taught-us-hes-still-center-of-sports-universe\/\">used to the being in the spotlight<\/a> and all that it comes with. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39927734\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.50146628;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"39927734\" width=\"886\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"LeBron James in a white Lakers jersey, yelling and holding his hands up, with a crowd of spectators in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-39927734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 3250w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=768,512&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=1024,682&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=1536,1024&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=2048,1365&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=600,400&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 600w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=878,585&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=744,496&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 744w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=720,480&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 720w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=576,384&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 576w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=60,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=662,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2269981777.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 886px) 100vw, 886px\"\/><figcaption>LeBron James won\u2019t be speaking to teams directly in free agency as Rich Paul will handle all communications. <span class=\"credit\">2026 Richard Rodriguez<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>James received mixed reviews by the public for his decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons. He will likely continue receiving praise and backlash in this next stage of his career. <\/p>\n<p>Being the <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/06\/sports\/lebron-james-sweepstakes-includes-6-teams-with-one-surprise\/\">top free agent of the summer<\/a> means James makes headlines everyday as everyone is curious where the veteran will land. There seems to be a general consensus that the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are favorites in the James sweepstakes, but what is James didn\u2019t return to a former team and instead chose a new one? <\/p>\n<p>NBA insider Brian Windhorst answered the question and explained why there may be added criticism for James if he joins a team he\u2019s never played for throughout his storied career. <\/p>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIt would be interesting, not surprising,\u201d Windhorst said on the Yahoo Sports Daily podcast. \u201cOne of the things that I think LeBron is going to have to decide is how much he cares about what people will think if he goes to a team he\u2019s never played for. Basically, if he chooses somebody besides Cleveland or Miami. Because Cleveland and Miami, it\u2019s a very clean decision. It makes sense. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39924465\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49926794;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"39924465\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Brian Windhorst\" class=\"wp-image-39924465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 3000w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=84,56&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 84w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=60,40&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 60w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=105,70&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 105w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=81,54&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 81w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=200,133&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=231,154&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=662,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/GettyImages-2282655353_cf08d4.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\"\/><figcaption>Brian Windhorst discussed LeBron James\u2019 free agency decision in a recent podcast appearance. <span class=\"credit\">NBAE via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cDoes he want to deal with what the reaction would be if he went to Philadelphia or Minnesota or Denver or something like that where it would be a sort of new place and he would have to create new ties and learn new routines. And also deal with people calling him a ring chaser or what have you. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that\u2019s an extra layer that he\u2019s had to grapple with. I think he absolutely could do it. I don\u2019t think that\u2019s a reason he\u2019d say no.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"\/>\n<p>As James mulls over options, he\u2019s looking for the place where <a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2026\/07\/01\/sports\/why-lebron-james-chose-to-leave-lakers\/\">he\u2019ll find complete happiness<\/a>. According to his agent Rich Paul, the four-time NBA champion is prioritizing contentment over a championship. <\/p>\n<p>Perhaps, he could find both somewhere this summer. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LeBron James is no stranger to criticism or public scrutiny. As one of the NBA\u2019s superstars, the 41-year-old is used to the being in the spotlight and all that it comes with. LeBron James won\u2019t be speaking to teams directly in free agency as Rich Paul will handle all communications. 2026 Richard Rodriguez James received&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2059,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/COMP-2-2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pics-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2058","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2058"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2058\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2059"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2058"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2058"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2058"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}