As LeBron James prepares for his 24th NBA season, the uncertainty surrounding his next team has drawn criticism from one of his most vocal rivals, Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks. Amid ongoing rumors, including speculation that James could join the Golden State Warriors to play alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green, Brooks has publicly challenged the four-time champion to finalize his plans.
Addressing the delay, Brooks stated, "This is my saying, 'LeBron, come back for one more year.' … Stop all this waiting s**t." The Suns forward, who has frequently engaged in high-intensity matchups against James, openly admitted, "I'm top, for sure," when asked if he considers himself the leading hater of the veteran superstar. Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, Brooks predicted that James will ultimately sign with the Warriors. Should that move occur, James would remain in the Pacific Division, ensuring he faces the Suns and Brooks at least four times during the regular season. Last year, the two players faced off four times, with the season series ending in a 2-2 split.
The speculation continues as James' agent, Rich Paul, notes that while they have gathered all necessary information regarding interested teams, they are not rushing the decision. Former teammate Kendrick Perkins recently offered his perspective on the situation, suggesting that James is intentionally prolonging the process. "The word to describe what he’s doing is grandstanding…I believe that he already knows where he wants to go," Perkins said, adding that James appears to be enjoying the attention and the recruitment efforts from various organizations. This deliberate approach mirrors James' 2010 free agency period, when he took his time before eventually departing the Cleveland Cavaliers to join the Miami Heat.
