LeBron James: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
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In case you haven’t heard, the Minnesota Timberwolves are chasing after free agent, LeBron James.
Most recently, though, optimism that the King winds up in the Twin Cities has been fading. Meanwhile, steam of a return to Cleveland or Miami, especially, has been picking up.
Latest LeBron James free agency news
Heat rumors spiked on Tuesday, when the Miami Heat social media team accidentally scheduled a LeBron James’ introductory press conference on YouTube for July 27.
The Miami Heat’s official YouTube channel had LeBron’s introductory press conference scheduled for July 27 🤔
(h/t @WadexFlash / https://t.co/ngYXKtG4ps) pic.twitter.com/OCNZMkiiVO
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 22, 2026
However, LeBron and his agent Rich Paul have yet to make any hints as to where the 41-year-old will play next season. All we’ve heard from those two recently is that they’re both annoyed by Adam Silver for trying to rush James’ “process.
In fact, there are conspiracy theorists out there who believe that LeBron is actually stalling longer now, because of the comments made by Silver last week, when he said that the league is waiting to schedule its primetime slate for 2026-27 until they know where he is going to play.
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Until the Minnesota Timberwolves officially bow out or the 22x All-Star cuts them out of the running, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly — along with ownership — will wait patiently for LeBron, in the hopes that he ultimately decides to shock the basketball world.
As has been noted here and everywhere else, the Wolves are a perfect fit for James in just about every possible way, other than the winter time weather.
New Timberwolves player joins pursuit of LeBron James
So that’s the pitch being made to LeBron by ownership, management, coaches and Anthony Edwards, who has reportedly spoken with James on multiple occasions on the idea of joining him in Minnesota
But according to Jon Krawczynski (The Athletic) on the “The Jon Krawczynski Show” Wednesday, Ant isn’t the only Timberwolves star who has shot his shot with the King recently. Apparently, LaMelo Ball has spoken with him, as well.
Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball have both spoken to LeBron about being a Timberwolf per @JonKrawczynski pic.twitter.com/drel9fvANz
— LiTHoUsE (@ReVLiTHoUSe) July 22, 2026
This is an interesting note by Jon for a few reasons. The same exact reporter actually asked LaMelo during his introductory press conference if he has contacted James about playing here, and the youngest Ball brother just made a joke and laughed it off.
And earlier in the LeBron sweepstakes, shortly after the Minnesota Timberwolves were considered serious contenders for his services in 2026-27, NBA insider Brian Windhorst (ESPN) openly questioned James’ willingness to play with LaMelo, who some around the league consider an unserious basketball player.
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Given questions surrounding how the well those two would coexist in the same locker room, I can’t help but wonder what the conversation between Ball and James was actually focused on.
Like, did LaMelo have to sell himself to LeBron, because I can’t really imagine that happening. Maybe it was just a, “hey man, we’d love to have you in MN” type thing. Wouldn’t that be anti-climactic?
Unfortunately, we’ll probably never know. Instead, we’ll just continue to wait, I guess…
Mentioned in this article: LaMelo Ball Lebron James
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