Rich Paul Addresses LeBron Narrative That James 'Loves the Attention' of NBA Free Agency, Rumors

Rich Paul denied 22-time All-Star LeBron James is dragging out his free agency to culminate in another Decision-like display.

"I think it's important for people to understand: We're not making this about attention and a spectacle," he said on his Game Over podcast (via ESPN's Dave McMenamin). "It's not about a 'Decision' or anything like that. He has a choice to make. He has a business choice to make. We're not going to sit here and decide or allow someone else to decide when he makes that decision. ... It's a business choice that he's making. And I think as an athlete, why is it that an athlete has to rush his choice?"

Playing the devil's advocate, co-host Max Kellerman brought up the idea that James is prolonging the situation because he "loves the attention."

"It's the lowest hanging fruit for when you don't have the information," Paul said in response. "That's just what it is."

It's not hard to see why some fans believe James is enjoying the way the NBA world is hanging on whatever sliver of an update he or Paul provides.

In a sense, this is the least consequential free-agency decision of his career.

The 41-year-old is almost certainly only going to play a few more seasons at most. On top of that, he's no longer the kind of figure you build your entire franchise around. He can obviously help a contender, but he can't single-handedly carry a team like he once did.

In terms of how much his choice will impact the league, this summer is nothing close to when James signed with the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers or returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Paul also effectively declared he and LeBron are content with the pitches they've heard.

"There's been several people to call and say, 'Hey, Rich, is there anything more we should be doing? We could be doing?'" the agent said. "And my answer is, 'No. We don't need you to go above and beyond about anything. We understand it. It's clear. All the messages have been sent.'"

From the outside, it's tough to square why James hasn't yet made up his mind when he has all of the information he needs and knows the NBA landscape isn't likely to change much between now and opening night.

LeBron is nonetheless feeling little pressure to make up his mind.