Oct 22, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) argues with Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images
Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
Where will LeBron James end up? That is the question apparently holding up the NBA offseason, according to NBA commissioner, Adam Silver.
Not only are reported LeBron contenders like the Minnesota Timberwolves waiting on the 4x NBA MVP and 4x NBA Champ to make a decision, but so are the league offices, as they try to get their National television schedule finalized.
Adam Silver says next season’s schedule is on hold until LeBron makes his decision:
“We have to finish up the schedule and where LeBron plays affects the schedule … opening week, Christmas. So I need him to make a decision.” pic.twitter.com/ZqHLEUfaj7
— bballunlocked (@bballunlocked) July 17, 2026
Recently though, one or two teams — the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers — have risen above the rest, as James’ most likely landing spot. That’s left the Wolves, 76ers and Warriors feeling a bit left out, even if they haven’t been officially eliminated yet.
Day 20: NBA continues to wait on LeBron James
Now three weeks into the process, we’ve seen a few twist and turns as we await LeBron’s latest “Decision”. Cleveland got a bunch of hype early, until more recently, when the microscope has turned squarely to the Miami Heat.
Earlier this week, LeBron to South Beach chatter reached peak decibels when the team’s official YouTube account “accidentally” scheduled a LeBron James introductory press conference on YouTube for July 27 (which has been subsequently deleted).
This YouTube test was posted by the Miami Heat… ☝️🧐☝️
“miamiheat Introductory
Press conference for LeBron James welcoming him back as a member of the Miami HEAT” pic.twitter.com/mEylwE6rW9
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) July 22, 2026
On Thursday, though, Shams Charania got on the Pat McAfee show and made a few things very clear, as relayed to him by his sources. According to the NBA’s top insider, LeBron does NOT need additional information to make his decision, nor does is he waiting for one of his suitors to do something that will spark his interest.
Minnesota Timberwolves still in the hunt…
Then, more importantly, Shams reported that all five of the teams previously mentioned are still involved, including the Minnesota Timberwolves. And there will NOT be additional suitors added into the mix.
Shams on LeBron:
"My sources tell me that LeBron James, his agent Rich Paul … they're not waiting for another domino right now. They're not waiting for Anthony Davis to get traded anywhere, they're not waiting for anyone else to move around anywhere."pic.twitter.com/k6r7zjepLU
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) July 23, 2026
“Now that we are 20 days in, there’s nothing left [for teams to do]. The teams are the teams, the information is the information. LeBron has everything he needs to make a decision. The conversations have happened.
From my understanding, my sources tell me LeBron James, his agent Rich Paul, that inner circle, they’re not waiting for another domino right now. They’re not waiting for Anthony Davis to get traded anywhere, they’re not waiting for anyone else to move around anywhere.
The teams — Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia, Minnesota — they’re set. Those are the teams. Wherever he ends up, you’re looking at minimum deals, you’re looking at exceptions. The contracts are not going to be this grand part of this deal.
LeBron James was very clear from the beginning. This is going to be based on happiness, in terms of contending for a championship, a chance to compete at a high level, join a culture. That doesn’t come for going to a team and gutting that team for multiple different players.”
Shams Charania – Pat McAfee Show (ESPN)
Should we still believe…?
As others have pointed out, the longer this goes on, the more you can’t help but wonder if the Minnesota Timberwolves are more serious contenders for LeBron James than what’s being let on in the national media.
Think about it. If the 41-year-old was going back to Cleveland or Miami, wouldn’t he have just made the announcement already? Why fight back so hard against every rumor that hits the airwaves, like it’s a personal attack?
Brian Windhorst says LeBron James WILL NOT be doing anymore introductory press conferences after his famous one in 2010 when he joined Miami and nobody knows where he is going:
“There’s not going to be a introductory press conference. You don’t have to get it ready. After ‘not… pic.twitter.com/yFV7XojhZS
— Heat Central (@TheHeatCentral) July 23, 2026
Confirmed: Anthony Edwards Got Married
Look, odds are LeBron James still winds up with the Heat or Cavs. But logically speaking, a decision to drop everything you and your family has known for the past 25 years to join Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball up in Minnesota…
…now that kind of BOLD life-changing decision would need some additional time to think through, even if you only plan to be there for one year.
Hell, throw the other two possibilities (Sixers and Warriors) into that same conversation with the Heat and Cavaliers. Would flipping from LA to either of those two major market coast teams really blow up LeBron’s life in a way that moving to the Twin Cities would?
No, it would not. Philly, maybe, but Golden State is a couple hours down the coastline from his home in LA
More reasons why we might have ruled the Wolves out on LeBron too early…
Oh, you’ve already ruled the Minnesota Timberwolves out of the LeBron James sweepstakes? I have at times, too, so no judgments here.
But again, if that were really the case, why wouldn’t he or his agent Rich Paul just rule them out — like they have with all but five teams in the league?
Related: Most Intriguing Moments of Anthony Edwards’ Appearance at Fanatics Fest
We know, at the very least, LeBron has chatted with multiple Wolves players so it’s not like they haven’t had the opportunity to whittle down the list.
Okay, I’m going to stop running through these scenarios now, before I start to feel some semblance of hope that this could actually happen.
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