Did Rich Paul accidentally spill LeBron James’ offseason plans?

May 20, 2022; San Francisco, California, USA; Rich Paul and Adele watch during the second quarter in game two of the 2022 western conference finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

LeBron James’ agent Rich Paul may have inadvertently revealed what the Los Angeles Lakers star plans to do this offseason.

James has a $51.4 million player option for next season. If James opts out of the final year of his deal, he would become a free agent. Earlier this month, the Lakers forward expressed that he still wasn’t sure about what he plans to do this offseason. But James’ agent Paul may have mistakenly tipped off James’ plans.

On Friday, Paul appeared on TNT’s alternative broadcast of Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Dallas Mavericks. Paul was asked about the Lakers’ head coaching vacancy and dropped an interesting tidbit.

“Look, LeBron’s a free agent. I’ve got to be focused on his business. And he should be focused on his business. And let the Lakers hire whoever they want to hire,” said Paul.

Rich Paul: “LeBron is a free agent.”

… but LeBron currently has a pending player option. Interesting slip up from his agent.

(via @ChrisBHaynes) pic.twitter.com/5IrtdnP8C1

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 26, 2024

Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, who was also on the broadcast, tried to confirm if Paul meant that James was declining his player option to become a free agent. Paul quickly backtracked and said he “doesn’t know” what James plans to do.

There have been rumblings about LeBron potentially leaving the Lakers to play for whatever team drafts his son Bronny.

Whether or not LeBron James stays with the Lakers could be the most interesting storyline of the offseason.