“Hurry Up”: Tim Hardaway Says LeBron James Is Like Aaron Rodgers as Free Agency Decision Drags On

With former Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James still undecided about his next team, he is now being accused of milking the situation by former Dallas Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway. Due to the delay in James' decision, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has decided to delay the final league calendar, as he noted while speaking at the CNBC Sport and Boardroom’s Game Plan Summit on July 16.

Hardaway recently compared James to the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who prolonged his free agency for months in 2023. Hardaway now urges James to decide soon per a X post by SiriusXM NBA Radio.

"(LeBron James) is just like Aaron Rodgers; he's going to milk it. The league is not upset with him but they're like, 'Hurry up, because we got to get that schedule together.'"

After publicly declaring in February 2023 that he intends to play the season with the New York Jets, Rodgers embarked on his famous darkness retreat" in Oregon. He was finally traded to the Jets by the Green Bay Packers only in April. Rodgers is now playing his final season in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and as James enters his 24th NBA season, the consensus is that this may be his last as well.

Hardaway then theorized, per the SiriusXM NBA Radio post on X, that James' prolonged decision gives the Miami Heat more chances of acquiring him in free agency. The Heat is one of the five reported finalists in the LeBron James sweepstakes.

"The longer (LeBron's decision) goes, I think the Miami Heat has the best shot at getting him," Hardaway added.

Aside from the Heat, Philadelphia, Cleveland, Minnesota, and Golden State are among the other teams that are likely to sign James this summer. However, despite all the rumors and speculations, it's still unclear who has the highest chances of landing him. With the pushback against the delay, LeBron's longtime agent, Rich Paul, stepped up to defend one of his oldest clients.

Rich Paul calls out analysts for rushing LeBron James' free agency decision

After nearly a month of anticipation, the basketball world is growing impatient with LeBron James' free agency decision.

Many want him to go back home to Cleveland to end his career in his hometown, a fairytale ending. Some want him to run it back with the Miami Heat and see what he can achieve next to Giannis Antetokounmpo. Then some want to see LeBron suit up in a different uniform, like the 76ers, Wolves, and Warriors.

But no matter what people say, no one truly knows where the King will claim his throne. In a recent episode of Game Over, Rich Paul gave clarity on his client's decision and called out everyone who's rushing him.

"I’ll say it again, none of these people know anything. Nobody knows nothing, and I say that respectfully because we haven’t made it to where anyone knows anything ... we’re not making this about attention and spectacle ... he has a business choice to make ... why does an athlete have to rush his choice?"

According to rumors, James is likely to make his decision either by the end of July or in early August. Until then, all we can do is predict where the King will go.