LeBron James Confirms Lakers Exit but Defers Announcement of Next Team

LeBron James made his first public appearance since informing the Los Angeles Lakers he would leave via free agency but did not reveal his next team during a live podcast taping on July 16. The event took place at Fanatics Fest before approximately 5,000 people at the Javits Center in New York.

Tyrese Haliburton, the guest co-host of the "Mind the Game" podcast, asked James minutes into the program whether a decision still had to be made.

James replied that revealing his next team would not be on the agenda. Later the same day at the CNBC and Boardroom Game Plan Summit, James said he "won't hold you guys up too much longer" regarding his decision. ESPN reported that James' agent Rich Paul informed the Lakers more than two weeks earlier that the player would depart via free agency.

James stated he spent eight years with the Lakers and said he could play a record-setting 24th season and possibly a 25th with his new team. " Haliburton said he texted James about one month earlier offering a spot with the Indiana Pacers. James responded with two laughing/crying face emojis, Haliburton recalled.