LeBron James
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The dream is dead. It might have been fun while it lasted. For weeks LeBron James left the speculative possibility that the Minnesota Timberwolves may be his next and final home. Unfortunately, that dream died on Friday when news of his choice broke.
Assumed to be signing with either the Cleveland Cavaliers or Miami Heat, both return destinations, James ultimately wound up adding a new spot to his resume. Heading across the country, he’ll team up with the Philadelphia 76ers.
LeBron James snubs Minnesota Timberwolves
The reality is that it would always be a longshot for the Minnesota Timberwolves to land one of the greatest players to ever step on a basketball court. Once ESPN NBA Insider Shams Charania broke the news from James’ agent Rich Paul, it cemented that notion.
BREAKING: LeBron James is signing with the Philadelphia 76ers on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option, Klutch Sports Group and Klutch CEO and Game Over show host Rich Paul tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/ALOlTkgdAV
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 24, 2026
Now James will play the final year of his illustrious career on a new-look 76ers team. He pairs up with the recently acquired Jaylen Brown, defensive standout Joel Embiid, and star guard Tyrese Maxey. The look will take some getting used to after seeing James in Lakers gold for the past eight seasons.
This landing spot is an interesting one, and it may actually pour some salt in the wound of Timberwolves fans. Given that James didn’t simply return to his previous stops, they were probably much closer to being a reality than not. Had Minnesota already moved to the east, it could have even been a done deal.
At 41 and entering his 24th season, James is hardly the same player he was earlier in his career. Still he averaged 33.2 minutes per game for the Lakers last year and scored 20.9 points per game. His size and style was a perfect fit for the vacancy Chris Finch has at the four-spot, and now Minnesota needs to pick up the pieces.
MN Timberwolves still need a big man
With LeBron still on the open market the Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t in a situation where they could turn their focus elsewhere. Until he made his decision, they and the league as a whole, were on hold.
Now that James won’t be rocking the Timberwolves new threads next weekend, Tim Connelly needs help from someone else. Julius Randle and Naz Reid are both gone. Jaden McDaniels could play the four alongside Rudy Gobert, but that’s a stretch of his effectiveness.
Minnesota must figure out where they will add to their roster, and they don’t have much money to make it work. That becomes the next task for the summer.
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