PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 7: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game on December 7, 2025 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant /NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Normally, when we write something along the lines of “it’s never a dull moment with the Sixers,” something either horrible or incredibly annoying has taken place.
For once, the news is unquestionably exciting.
LeBron James, arguably the greatest player to ever touch a basketball and one of the most successful athletes on the planet, is going to be a Philadelphia 76er.
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
So, I’m just going to type that again to allow you to truly soak it in.
LeBron James is going to be a Philadelphia 76er.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the four-time MVP and 22-time All-Star, will spend his 24th NBA season in the City of Brotherly Love. He will join Philadelphia on a two-year, $8 million deal with a player option.
Again, this is another opportunity for you to catch your breath and comprehend what is happening.
James, who will turn 42 in December, still appeared to have plenty left in the tank last season. In 60 games, he averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 33.2 minutes per game. He slots in seamlessly with a starting group already featuring Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid. The biggest way he helps the Sixers is with his elite passing and basketball IQ. With so many mouths to feed, LeBron’s unselfish brand of basketball will be a very welcomed addition to the starting group.
James released a statement on social media following the announcement. You can read the full thread here, but here is a big highlight:
“This is my last decision. I’m not going for money. I’m not going for family. What am I really playing for at this point? I still want to sacrifice. I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” James wrote.
How they’ll manage James and Embiid throughout the regular season will be interesting to follow. With the presence of Maxey and Edgecombe, along with the headlining addition of Brown, games both former MVPs miss should be winnable.
The Summer of Mike Gansey continues. The Sixers’ new front-office boss has objectively had one hell of an offseason. Signing one of, if not the greatest player of all time is quite the cherry on top.
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 5: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers plays defense during the game against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers on February 5, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
LeBron James has opted out of the storybook ending many in Northeast Ohio were hoping for. Instead of a retirement tour with the Cleveland Cavaliers, James has decided to head one state over and chase a championship with a new-look Philadelphia 76ers team. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, he’s signing a two-year, $8 million deal.
The Sixers have been the undisputed winners of the offseason. Swapping out an aging Paul George for Jaylen Brown is widely regarded as the best trade this offseason. That move alone would’ve vaulted them into contention in a competitive Eastern Conference. Now, they may be the favorites to win it.
This is a tough blow for the Cavs.
Not only would this have been an ideal ending for James’s career from the Cavs’ perspective, but he also would’ve filled a gaping hole on Cleveland’s roster. The Cavs need a wing (or preferably two) that can shift between playing the three and four with the loss of Dean Wade in free agency. James could’ve filled that role nicely. Now, the Cavs will have to shift their attention elsewhere to fill that need.
More than that, this move cemented the Sixers as a team ahead of the Cavs in the Eastern Conference hierarchy. Cleveland’s path through the conference is expected to be much tougher this season than it was at any point in the core four era.
This upcoming season will be James’s 24th year in the league. The Sixers will be the fourth separate franchise he’s suited up for. Last season, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 60 games with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles, CA - February 25: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks controls the ball against LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of a NBA basketball game at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images) | MediaNews Group via Getty Images
With the LeBron James summer saga rolling along and potentially into August, the Cleveland Cavaliers remain in the dark as to which way the Hall-of-Fame forward is leaning. But there is reportedly some angling being done by James to make his next destination feel like home — even if it isn’t technically.
According to ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill, James reportedly “had been angling” for Dallas Mavericks point guard Kyrie Irving to join him in Cleveland. However, as noted by ESPN, the Mavericks reportedly have no interest in trading Irving, and the point guard likewise is comfortable in Dallas. The 34-year-old Irving missed all of last season rehabbing a torn ACL, but figures to play an important role for the Mavericks next to budding star Cooper Flagg.
Anything bought from the links helps support Fear the Sword. You can also shop all of Homage’s Cavs gear HERE. The link to the 2016 championship shirt HERE.
The Cavs have had a quiet offseason so far, with the drafting of Maleek Thomas being the only notable acquisition. The team lost Dean Wade to the Philadelphia 76ers (and former General Manager Mike Gansey), Keon Ellis to the Brooklyn Nets, and Larry Nance Jr. to the Indiana Pacers. While they did give Donovan Mitchell a contract extension, the team has not signed point guard James Harden yet — though the two sides appeared ready to work toward an extension. The domino they are waiting to fall appears to be James.
Irving spent three seasons with James in the Wine and Gold, though the relationship ended on a sour note with the point guard’s trade to Boston. However, the Cavs have a fairly fluid roster that could be malleable to what James would want to play alongside. Compared to the Miami Heat and the 76ers, who mostly have their rosters set, the Cavs have players and contracts they could dangle in a trade to bring in someone James would want to play with. The team has reportedly been shopping Max Strus and his expiring contract in a trade, and Dennis Schroder is a candidate to be moved as well. Then there is the frontcourt that has teetered on the edge of separation for years.
If James is waiting on a move to be made before making his decision, the Cavs have some pathways to making it happen — depending on who it is.
LeBron stunned the NBA by choosing Philadelphia over Cleveland, Miami, and others, joining a roster that already includes Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Jaylen Brown.
I need a second to process this, because good news in this city usually comes with an asterisk.
I've spent the better part of the last three decades following the Sixers, and in that time I've all but convinced myself that heartbreak is the house style in Philadelphia. After all, this is the same franchise that has spent a decade bracing for the worst every time Joel Embiid so much as jogs up the court, because some version of a knee, a face, a thumb, or a suspension always seems to be lurking around the corner. The same one that traded away hometown kid Mikal Bridges -- whose own mother worked in the building -- only to watch him win a title somewhere else. And, oh yeah, the return on that trade? Zhaire Smith, who nearly died from an undiagnosed peanut allergy before he ever got a real chance on the floor.
If you wanted to design a cursed sports laboratory, you would build the Philadelphia 76ers.
So when word first started circulating weeks ago that LeBron James was actually entertaining Philadelphia as a free-agent destination, I laughed it off. Not because the roster wasn't good enough -- Mike Gansey had already seen to that with the Jaylen Brown heist this summer -- but because good things simply do not happen to this organization in a straight line. There's always a catch. There's always a Bryan Colangelo burner account, a Markelle Fultz yips saga, a Ben Simmons no-show waiting in the wings.
Then Friday morning happened, and the King himself blew the doors off every model, every insider projection, and every fan's expectations.
James informed the world on X that this was, in his words, his last decision, adding that he wasn't chasing money or family at this stage of his career and instead wanted to know what he was still playing for. He said he still wanted to sacrifice, still wanted to compete, and still wanted a real shot at winning it all one more time. He went on to say he believes he can help turn the 76ers into a championship team and that he's thrilled to energize a brand-new fan base for this final ride, while thanking the Lakers, expressing love for Miami, and reaffirming that Northeast Ohio will always be home.
another championship.
I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time.
Thank you LA. Miami I’ll forever love and Northeast Ohio will always home!
Read that again. LeBron James -- a four-time champion, four-time Finals MVP, four-time MVP, a 22-time All-Star, and arguably the greatest player to ever live -- chose Philadelphia over a return to Cleveland, over Miami, and reportedly over looks from the Warriors, Timberwolves, and Nuggets too. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the deal is two years and $8 million with a player option, which tells you everything about James's motivation here. This isn't about the bag. This is about the opportunity in front of him, and evidently, he looked at Philadelphia's roster and decided it gave him the best shot at one more parade.
It's worth remembering just how unlikely this specific outcome was even a few weeks ago. Rich Paul had reportedly walked through James's options on his own podcast and pointed to Gansey's arrival as a real factor in Philly's favor, along with James's fondness for Tyrese Maxey, but the industry consensus had Cleveland as the sentimental frontrunner before Miami overtook them as the betting favorite. Philadelphia was the name mentioned almost as an afterthought. And yet here we are.
I keep circling back to the same thought: This is the same city where things always seem to go sideways. And I want to be clear that the ghosts haven't fully left the building. Embiid's health is still the variable that decides everything. The Sixers still have to figure out spacing and shot distribution with this many alpha scorers on one roster. Nick Nurse still has to build actual chemistry among personalities that have never shared a locker room. None of that goes away just because the greatest player of his generation signed his name on a two-year deal.
But look at what's actually been assembled here. This roster wasn't stockpiled through tanking and lottery balls this time; it was built through two decisive front-office swings in the span of a summer. Call it a new kind of process, but this city knows better than anyone that you have to trust it before it pays off.
LeBron says “Trust The Process” and the crowd went nuts 💀
Maxey was fifth in the league in scoring last season en route to All-NBA honors. Embiid, when healthy, is still capable of winning a scoring title outright. VJ Edgecombe looked like a walking playoff highlight reel as a rookie and is still climbing. Jaylen Brown arrived this summer as a Finals MVP with a chip on his shoulder the size of the Liberty Bell after Boston shipped him out unceremoniously. And now you're adding LeBron -- even a 41-year-old, mileage-managed version of him -- as another scoring threat who can guard multiple positions, run pick-and-roll reads in his sleep, and settle a huddle in the fourth quarter of a playoff game like almost nobody else in the sport's history.
That's not a hypothetical title contender anymore. That's arguably the most talented five-man group this franchise has had since Allen Iverson dragged a far less star-studded roster to the 2001 NBA Finals. Iverson did that essentially by himself, on will and crossovers and 48-minute nights, against a Lakers dynasty that steamrolled everyone else in its path. This version of the Sixers doesn't need one guy to be everything. It has four or five players who can be the best player on the floor on a given night, with one who has done it at the highest level more times than anyone else alive.
The money side of this deal matters just as much as the roster fit. Brown's salary climbs from $57 million this year to $61 million next, topping out at $64.9 million in 2028-29. Maxey's new extension is already baked in. Embiid's deal is settled. And Edgecombe is still working through his rookie scale for the time being, so his next contract isn't a conversation the front office has to have yet. That gives Philadelphia two seasons of relative cost certainty before the bigger questions arrive -- what Edgecombe's second contract costs, and what LeBron decides to do once his two-year deal plays out. For a franchise that's rarely had this much clarity on what it's actually paying for, that's a meaningful head start.
Which is why, as strange as it feels to type this sentence about a franchise built on managed expectations and cautious optimism, the Philadelphia 76ers should be among the betting favorites to win it all the moment training camp opens. The room for error is bigger than it's been in a generation, because the talent absorbs bad nights better than any Sixers roster has in 25 years.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has already declared July 24 "LeBron James Day," and honestly, fair enough. This is the biggest thing to happen to this franchise since Iverson was crossing people up in the Finals, and it happened in a way that nobody, including this writer, thought was realistic.
Something will inevitably rear its head at some point; that's the nature of following this franchise, and history doesn't just erase itself because LeBron decided to show up. But for the first time in longer than I can remember, the story in Philadelphia isn't about what could've been. It's about what's actually standing in front of them. And what's standing in front of them might be the best chance this city has had to hang a banner in nearly a quarter-century.
Ladybugs don’t seem particularly important. They’re tiny, harmless-looking beetles that spend their days crawling over leaves. Yet remove them from an ecosystem and things could fall apart. While a ladybug has never snagged an offensive rebound (that we know of), thinking about them made me think about someone who has.
Ladybugs are valuable precisely because they do unglamorous work. Like a ladybug, Mitchell Robinson is productive in a specific way. A single ladybug can eat up to 5,000 aphids. With the Knicks, Mitch gobbled up 3,164 rebounds. Unfortunately, ladybugs live 1-3 years in the wild (though many adults only survive a few months). Also unfortunate: we were lucky if Mitch made 1-3 of his free throws.
This off-season, Robinson signed a 3-year, $47.4 million contract with the Boston Celtics. Allegedly, the deal outpaced what the Knicks offered by about $10 mil per year. On the surface, it’s a classic money grab—although less of a grab than Isaiah Hartenstein’s fistful of dollars when he left New York for tornado alley.
Fans have griped about the situation. The contradictions are rampant. We wanted Mitch to stay and get paid. We spent years complaining about his injuries and lack of availability. We expect the front office to be shrewd, then we bellyache about not breaching the second apron on his behalf.
We had plenty of time to develop affection for the seven-foot Cajun. He wore a Knicks uniform for approximately 29% of his life. That’s a big chunk of existence, and it’s poignant to remember he essentially grew up as a Knick.
Since getting drafted 36th in 2018, he had been the team’s longest tenured player before this departure. He was a young 20 years old when he debuted at Madison Square Garden, playing for a David Fizdale-coached team that finished 17-65.
During those dark days, the promise of Robinson’s raw talent was a lonely, flickering candle. He appeared on the All-Rookie team. And he is funny, always reliable for a ridiculous soundbyte. Remember that time he told Fred Katz about his D Train? Classic Mitch.
Ladybugs are fragile and—you know I’m gonna say it, just relax—so is Mitch. There’s no debating that the dude is strong as an ox. He also missed about 40% of his regular season games. Out of 656 regular season contests, he played 397. Why? His medical chart reads like the index of Gray’s Anatomy: ankles, feet, hand, thumb, pinky, hamstrings, illnesses, surgeries. The guy’s had roughly as many injuries as Johnny Knoxville without being shot out of a cannon (that we know of). Perhaps you can guess why Leon Rose & Co. were reluctant to match the offer Brad Stevens laid out?
Beyond the money, his leaving is probably about pride, too. Before Karl-Anthony Towns arrived, Mitch was the starting center for the Knicks. In Boston, he’ll start again. That must flatter the ego. The question is, how many minutes per game can he give the Celts?
As a reserve last season, Mitch averaged under 20 minutes of play over 60 regular season contests. He fell to 13.9 minutes per game in the 2026 playoffs, across 18 games. His career high for games played in a season is 66 (his rookie year) and he’ll celebrate his 29th birthday in April. Sports medicine has made remarkable strides, but it has yet to cure aging.
The nostalgic narrative about Robinson will benefit from him leaving with a championship ring. Good feelings about the Knicks are flowing through the five boroughs and out across the land. Everyone wants to keep the band together. If he had departed after an early playoff exit, the sentiment would surely have a more “he quit on us” vibe.
What did he owe us anyway? That’s a weird thing about sports. Fans view players as commodities and expect some degree of loyalty. Most athletes are mercenaries for hire, balancing families, careers, and the cold certainty they’ll be out of the league quicker than Isaiah Thomas (the son) if they suffer a complicated injury. When Boston showed up with two wheelbarrows of money, you can’t blame Mitch for pulling out his pen.
What will the ecosystem of the New York Knicks be without him? Well, what would the world be like without ladybugs?
Primarily, ladybugs serve as natural controllers of aphids and other soft-bodied plant pests, and according to smart people with clipboards, their extinction would cause noticeable disruptions. Without them, aphid populations would surge rapidly, leading to increased damage to plants, crops, gardens, and forests (aphids suck sap, transmit plant viruses, cause wilting, stunted growth, and mold). That means higher economic losses in agriculture and potentially more chemical pesticides. Blech.
Extract one important piece out of an ecosystem and the whole thing can start misbehaving. Nobody notices ladybugs until the aphids arrive. Nobody notices offensive rebounds until they’re all going to the other team. How essential was Mitch, his energy, rebounding, and personality to the Knicks as a whole? We’re about to find out.
(Fun Fact: A visit from a ladybug is often considered good luck in many cultures around the world. I’d bet a visit from Mitch would be pretty cool, too.)
Good luck, big fella, and thanks for all the fish.
LeBron James is now a 76er, and he brings with him to Philly some of the most remarkable stats in NBA history.
Games, wins, minutes, points, All-Star appearances. You name it, he’s among the NBA’s all-time leaders. And we’re here to break it all down for you.
It’s LeBron James Stat Time!
1. With career averages of 27.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game, James is one of only three players in NBA history to average 25 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists per game. The others are Luka Dončić (29.4, 8.6, 8.2) and Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson (25.4, 7.5, 9.5). Only LeBron, Magic Johnson and Ben Simmons have averaged 7 assists, 7 rebounds and 1 ½ steals per game in their career.
2. James’ 700 career games with 30 or more points is an NBA record. He broke Michael Jordan’s record of 671 when he scored 40 points in the Lakers’ win over the Nets on March 31, 2024 at Barclays Center. James also has the most 20-point games with 1,589, nearly 300 more than Kareen Abdul-Jabbar’s 1,291 and not surprisingly, he also holds the NBA record for 10-point games with 1,913 — 180 more than Abdul-Jabbar.
3. James isn’t just the NBA’s all-time leading scorer with 51,961 points, he’s scored 23,641 points since turning 30. He needs only 179 points to pass Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 23,819 points after turning 30.
4. James has been an NBA All-Star a record 22 consecutive years, every year of his career other than his rookie year with the Cavs in 2003-04. The previous record was Kobe Bryant’s 17 straight All-Star teams from 2000 through 2016. James was top-10 in MVP voting a record 15 consecutive years from 2004 through 2018. He’s been top-10 in MVP voting 18 total times.
5. In addition to being the NBA’s all-time scoring leader, he’s also the postseason scoring leader with 8,521 points — more than 2,500 more points than Jordan’s 5,987. He’s also the NBA postseason leader with 506 steals.
6. James has played in an NBA-record 1,226 wins, eight more than Abdul-Jabbar. His 188 postseason wins are an NBA record, 27 more than Derek Fisher. He’s played in 1,048 regular-season wins, 26 fewer than Abdul-Jabbar’s record-1,074. James’ four NBA championships — 2012 and 2013 with the Heat, 2016 with the Cavs and 2020 with the Lakers — are tied with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson for most among active players. The only other players to win NBA titles with three teams are former 76er Danny Green (2014 Spurs, 2019 Raptors, 2020 Lakers), John Salley (1989, 1990 Pistons, 1996 Bulls, 2000 Lakers) and Robert Horry (1994, 1995 Rockets, 2000, 2001, 2002 Lakers, 2005, 2007 Spurs). Only James has been Finals MVP with three teams.
7. James averaged 20.9 points per game last year, more than twice as many as any other player 41 years or older has ever averaged. The next-highest scoring average by a player 41 or older is Abdul-Jabbar’s 10.1 with the Lakers in 1988-89. In 2024, James averaged 24.4 points per game at 40 years old. That’s eight points higher than anyone else. Abdul-Jabbar scored 14.6 in 1987-88. James’ overall average of 22.8 points per game since turning 40 is nearly 10 points per game higher than the next-highest player in NBA history, Karl Malone, who scored 13.2 points per game in his 40s. Only Abdul-Jabbar (12.4) and John Stockton (10.8) also averaged double digits in their 40s. James’ 7.7 assists per game are tied with Stockton for highest ever by a player in his 40s and his 7.0 rebounds are 2nd-most behind Malone’s 8.7.
8. James has 11 triple-doubles in the NBA Finals. Only Magic Johnson, with eight, also has more than three. James has 11 of the 40 all-time NBA Finals triple doubles, or 28 percent of every Finals triple double ever recorded.
9. James is the oldest player ever to score 40 points in a game and until December last season he was also the youngest player to score 40 points in a game. James was 40 years, 52 days last year when he scored 40 points against the Trail Blazers at Moda Center in Portland, Ore. He was 19 years, 88 days when he scored 41 vs. the Nets with the Cavs against the Nets at Gund Arena in Cleveland. He was both the oldest and youngest player to score 40 in a game until Cooper Flagg scored 42 points at 18 years, 359 days for the Mavs against the Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City this past December.
10. Including the postseason, James has played an NBA-record 73,506 minutes, more than 7,000 more minutes than 2nd-place Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The only NBA player to average more minutes than James over the last 20 years is Allen Iverson.
Duke and Michigan's non-conference men's basketball matchup, previously scheduled for Dec. 21, has been canceled, a Michigan spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY Sports on July 24.
The two powerhouse programs had originally agreed to play at Madison Square Garden in New York City before trying to move the game to the Miami Marlins' stadium. Neither team could come to an agreement, according to multiple reports, and Duke will now play Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 21 instead.
A request for comment by USA TODAY Sports to Duke was not immediately returned at the time of publication. Michigan declined to comment, but confirmed prior reports of the game's cancellation.
Duke originally negotiated a three-game TV deal with Amazon Prime Video in April after the game had been scheduled. That complicated the matchup for Michigan, as the Big Ten has a broadcast partnership with Fox. The Big Ten believed Michigan should receive a cut of the revenue for the game with Madison Square Garden being in the conference's TV footprint.
"Hopefully it'll be resolved," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said at Big Ten spring meetings in May. "It's a great college basketball game, given who we are, who they are in college basketball. I love the opportunity to play them, but we just have to make sure everything was right."
Duke and Michigan played each other last season, ending in a 68-63 win by the Blue Devils in Washington, D.C., over the eventual national champions. That game was a part of a separate game not broadcast by Amazon Prime Video, but was rather displayed on ESPN.
UCLA coach Mick Cronin said there was no shot the game would be played when asked at Big Ten spring meetings.
"No chance it goes through," he said. "Not when Fox has paid hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars for the rights."
Former Michigan coach Dusty May has also since left the Wolverines for the NBA's Dallas Mavericks, which also could've played a role in the game being canceled. Michigan has since elevated assistant coach Mike Boynton Jr. to full-time head coach after previously appointing him as its interim coach.
Both Duke and Michigan are expected to be among the top teams in the country next season, as both return talented rosters from runs to the Elite Eight or beyond in 2025.
How did Sergio De Larrea go from a relatively unknown Spanish prospect to a standout at the Summer League (SL), providing some of the most exciting highlights of the week?
Toni Canyameras, a journalist covering the NBA for Spanish sports media Mundo Deportivo from Toronto, followed De Larrea closely during SL. He was also able to interview both De Larrea, Mavs SL head coach Joe Boylan and his teammates about the Spanish rookie’s first experience playing in the US.
So I asked Toni Canyameras about his impression of his countryman during SL:
“The way he [Sergio De Larrea] has dominated on the offensive end through his understanding of the game has been really impressive. While we can’t compare the Summer League to the NBA, it was a completely new environment for him on and off the court and he has dictated the pace and the tempo of the possessions with his passing.”
The 20-year-old point guard averaged 10 assists and dished out 14 against the Thunder, which only three other players had accomplished in the SL, Canyameras pointed out.
“His ease in producing alley-oop passes has been incredible, and nobody knew how to stop it, despite it often being the same situation: De Larrea driving to his right to deliver the lob pass.”
This compilation by the Dallas Mavericks social media team provides some great examples of just that. De Larrea’s vision and passing ability, as well as the natural feel he seems to have for the game, stands out.
“A knack and feel” for the game and that it’s “innate”, “something you can’t teach”, as Mavs SL head coach Joe Boylan describes it. We will get back to that later.
De Larrea’s ability to scan and pass before the defender can catch up left defenses scrambling. And Dallas excited.
“The special thing about him is how quickly he sees everything and his fast decision-making,” Canyameras said.
Was Mavs coach Joe Boylan impressed with De Larrea’s passing, as well? To say the least:
“I mean, you saw some of those – he jumped up, looked at the corner, threw it to the wing. Just unbelievable passes,” Boylan told Canyameras.
“He’s [Sergio De Larrea] a guy, who is kinda wise beyond his years. He showed you guys the alley-oop pass and he has some things that you just can’t teach.”
When asked how De Larrea’s lob passing will translate to the NBA and to playing with the Mavericks bigs, Joe Boylan said:
“I think it’s a perfect fit. Everyone talks about how in the NBA it’s bigger, stronger, better athletes. I think that plays into Sergio’s strength. His ability to find guys above the rim… He does a great job of communicating with his teammates of things he wants to see to put them in positions to be successful.”
Being able to interview Sergio De Larrea in his native language, as well as having followed him and other Spanish players in their local leagues previously, gives Toni Canyameras a unique understanding of the Mavs rookie. Was he as mature off the court in SL as he seemed when he played?
“He looks like a humble, mature and very easy-going guy off the court. I feel he is very genuine, like when he is playing basketball. He gave us very honest and insightful answers and never wanted to brag about his passes; he always gave credit to his teammates for catching his lob passes and converting them into assists,” Canyameras said.
“He’s so poised, he’s so composed,” coach Boylan said about De Larrea.
“He was a little down on himself for some of the shots, but we don’t want to judge guys by just the results. We want it to be process oriented, and I think he took a bunch of great shots.”
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 9: Sergio De Larrea #55 of the Dallas Mavericks handles the ball during the game against the Golden State Warriors on July 9, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Greathouse/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Dallas Mavericks clearly had great expectations for their new rookie backup point guard before SL, and he seems to have lived up to all of them.
And so it looks like Sergio De Larrea, affectionately called Larry in Spain – which was immediately adopted by Mavs fans and media alike – could be looking forward to a much bigger role next season than most people expected.
Though more moves could be on the horizon, it was very telling when Dallas traded backup point guard Ryan Nembhard earlier this week. He was part of a three-team trade, sending Nembhard to Atlanta and acquiring former number one pick, Zaccharie Risacher from France. Trading a pg for a wing seems to be a clear signal that the Mavs intend for De Larrea to play a bigger role than most expected.
The trade came right after SL, suggesting that the Mavs wanted to make sure De Larrea was as good as they hoped, before making any moves. And according to Boylan, they have no doubts.
He remained enthusiastic about De Larrea the whole week, offering details of what stood out to him:
“He handled the pick’n’roll. I thought he did a great job at handling a lot of the pressure. Summer League can be really difficult for taller guards, because you get these athletic pressure guards to try to get up under you.”
“Super impressive job. He was facing full court pressure the whole game. You saw he was exhausted… It was just an awesome performance by Sergio,” Boylan told Canyameras after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The story of the Dallas Mavericks’ connection to De Larrea goes back further than most of us realized. He was not a prospect they just stumbled upon.
They had kept an eye on him for a while, according to the 6’7 point guard himself. He emphasized that he wanted to feel ready before making the jump to the best league in the world.
“Dallas had been following me for a while, and I’ve been a fan since I was a kid. But above all, they had confidence in me, and I felt physically and mentally ready to make the leap,” De Larrea told Toni Canyameras.
And Boylan also revealed that the 20-year-old, still riding on the wave of winning the Spanish ACB league championship with Valencia, went straight to work as he came to Dallas.
“He’s got an amazing feel for the game. He was sending me clips last night about how to attack the defense that Memphis runs. He’s a student of the game. He’s studying on film. And then I just think some of it is innate. He has a knack and feel.”
VALENCIA, SPAIN – MAY 13: Sergio de Larrea, #5 of Valencia Basket celebrates at the end of the EuroLeague Play Off Game Five match between Valencia Basket and Panathinaikos Aktor Athens at Roig Arena on May 13, 2026 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by JM Casares/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images)
While De Larrea’s ball-handling had been questioned after the first games, perhaps looking somewhat loose, it improved vastly as the week progressed, Canyameras points out.
“Another thing that stood out to me was how confident he became in his ball-handling as the Summer League went on. I’d say that he still has to put a lot of work into his body but managed to beat high-ball pressure with his skillful handling. He knows very well how to change pace and direction with his crossovers.”
Joe Boylan:
“I agree. He faced full court pressure from NBA caliber guards for 40 minutes and he did a tremendous job of attacking their pressure. I mean, he was really vocal in the timeouts. Really stepped into a leadership role with some of our other guys out. Really, really proud of what he did tonight.”
But what about his SL teammates? What did they think about this youngster straight from the Spanish system and tradition?
“Always looking to create for others before himself,” was the first thing Mavs two-way player and SL teammate John Poulakidas said when asked what it’s been like to play with De Larrea.
“When you got a player like that on the floor it makes basketball a hell of a lot easier for everybody else,” he told Canyameras.
As always, when Europeans make the transfer to the NBA, there’s a lot of rumbling about whether they can handle the physicality and athleticism of the NBA. So I asked Toni Canyameras about his thoughts on this.
“That’s a good question. I think he will gain more ability to drive and break down defenses, attacking one-on-one’s. Due to his ease in making assists, teams might go for more switching to guard him in order to take away time and space for those passes, and in this context he will have to create advantages by attacking bigs on the perimeter.”
Here’s what Joe Boylan said when Canyameras asked him about the next step in De Larrea’s game. This also says a lot about how Dallas is planning on using him next season:
“A lot of teams will be so scared of him playing in pick and roll against coverage that he will face a lot more switching in the regular season, and there will be opportunities for him to create one-on-one and to go and finish at the rim and finish contested layups. I think that’s going to be the next step in his growth, just the ability to go and break down his man, going and finishing contested layups.”
And Boylan later got even more into details about how the Mavs intend to use De Larrea next season:
“He looks like someone who played point guard growing up. His passing, his vision, his IQ … then he hit a growth spurt and that probably allowed him to potentially play multiple positions. And I think the NBA is trending towards having as many point guards on the floor as you can at one time. I think that gives you a lot of flexibility and adaptability, you can play alongside another ball-handler.”
“I think he’ll get opportunities both as a primary and as a secondary guy,” Boylan said.
As the Dallas Mavericks are looking more international than in a long time, the influence of more team-oriented players will show, as well. Another thing to look forward to in the upcoming season.
El entrenador de Dallas Mavericks, Joe Boylan, sobre De Larrea a @mundodeportivo:
“Anoche me enviaba vídeos de cómo atacar la defensa de Memphis. Es un estudiante del juego, su trabajo fue impresionante. Tomó un rol de liderazgo con muchos chicos fuera” #NBApic.twitter.com/Zo2VvRFrKB
🏀 De Larrea y su siguiente paso según el entrenador de Dallas en la Summer League, Joe Boylan:
“Muchos equipos tendrán miedo en el pick and roll y se enfrentará a muchos más cambios. Tendrá más oportunidades de crear 1 vs 1 y finalizar en el aro”#NBApic.twitter.com/Hu5PNzkYl0
🟠 Sergio de Larrea, sobre los motivos para dar el salto ya a la #NBA este año desde el Valencia:
“Dallas llevaba tiempo siguiéndome y he sido fan de pequeño. Pero, sobre todo, que tenían confianza en mí y me sentía física y mentalmente preparado para dar el salto” pic.twitter.com/SrEKomW13F
💬 “Siempre busca crear para otros antes que para sí mismo. Cuando tienes un jugador así en la pista, hace el baloncesto muchísimo más fácil para los demás”
Just like with Brown, it will be a while before anyone fully grasps that James is a Sixer. He was an All-Star before rookie guard Labaron Philon Jr. existed. At 41 years old, he decided to take his talents to Philadelphia and try to win his fifth NBA championship.
Six or so weeks ago, Gansey held his introductory Sixers press conference. He didn’t speak like an ultra-polished executive who’d faced the media a million times before. His family listened from the first row, Sixers brass from the second.
Gansey declined to detail much about his plans. He seemed perhaps most confident when discussing his time in the Cavaliers’ front office.
“I was there 15 years,” Gansey said. “Worked my way up, intern to GM. I give (president of basketball operations) Koby Altman a lot of credit … and the Gilbert family. They let me do my thing. I had a ton of responsibilities. I think nowadays, when people can be a G League GM, that’s a huge stepping stone in their career. I was able to do that and it helped me when I became assistant GM, and then all the way to GM.
“I did all the day-to-day. I was talking to players, to agents, collaborating with the head coach. … And then obviously dealing with ownership. So I haven’t been the No. 1 guy, but I’ve been right there with Koby and Koby put a lot on my plate. I was very fortunate to be able to work as much as I did. He gave me a ton of responsibility.”
“Man, I don’t like talking about myself,” he said. “I just feel that I can lead. I can lead a group of people.
“There’s going to be alignment throughout the building. I’m going to be very collaborative with the head coach. Me and (Nick Nurse) are going to be attached at the hip. … We’ve got really good players. We’ve got some young players and we’ve got some vets that can really play. I’m just excited to get this thing started, get to know everyone in the building, and just get going.”
James will attract an absurd amount of attention, as he always does. He’s the sort of athlete who transcends sports and invites the circus to town. Anything related to James and the Sixers will be spotlighted, dissected and fiercely debated. As long as James is in the lineup and the Sixers are rolling, Xfinity Mobile Arena will be packed and passionate.
Though he’s unequivocally past his prime, James hasn’t been making All-Star Game after All-Star Game just because of his name. He averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds in his final season with the Lakers. James drilled a heap of well-contested, clutch jumpers in Los Angeles’ Dec. 7 win last year over the Sixers and posted 29 points on 12-for-17 shooting, seven rebounds and six assists. All indications are that James has plenty left in the tank.
He deliberated over many options before landing on the Sixers. Gansey was obviously far from the only factor that mattered to James. The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has long admired Tyrese Maxey’s all-world work ethic, positive personality and ever-growing game. He knows Joel Embiid is a former MVP who often looked dominant last season when healthy. James will understand where the Sixers might be flawed and have a clear image of how a title-winning season could transpire.
He’ll talk about it all, the world will react, and opening night will eventually arrive in October.
After Gansey’s star-centric, almost unbelievable summer, James will be wearing a Sixers uniform.
One of two black-and-white ruffed lemur pups born at Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park, near Stirling.The critically endangered lemur pups, both female were born on April 14 and have been named Nova, meaning 'new' and Evie meaning 'life'. Picture date: Friday May 24, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images) | PA Images via Getty Images
Been putting together this post for a few days because otherwise I’d be feeding you 200-word posts. Would you rather have short, daily notes, or bigger, every-few-days posts? Links below!
Want to get excited about the 2027 NBA season? Read SNY scribe David Vertsberger’s column. In a few words, the Knicks may not merely defend their title next season but actually turn into a regular-season juggernaut—and what would come next. Imagine breaking parity!
Back to offseason business, the Knicks’ championship roster earned a B-minus grade from ESPN’s Zach Kram. For those straight out of a coma, New York retained most of the team and only really lost Mitchell Robinson, with Andre Drummond brought to town as his replacement. Remember when this felt like the end of the world?
Speaking of Mitch, look how the Celtics introduced him. LOL.
— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) July 22, 2026
Anyway, the real threat to the Knicks’ chances at building a dynasty may be the NBA’s financial structure more than any other team across the League. Nine of the top 10 members of the playoff rotation are returning, but New York lost Robinson while trying to avoid the second apron, and the starting five is entirely between 29 and 31 years old.
Most worrying is the fact that Towns is eligible for a four-year extension worth as much as $272 million, while Hart will follow with his own potential $131-million deal, and Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby will also become eligible for new deals shortly after. ESPN’s Bobby Marks discussed the situation and called KAT’s future a “fascinating” saga to follow, as his decision will shape the future of the Knicks depending on how much of a pay cut (if any) he takes to give New York some financial room.
The Knicks still need a third-string center behind Towns and Drummond after Dallas matched its offer sheet for Moussa Cisse. I agree with the NYP’s Jared Schawartz and his belief that New York will simply get to training camp with a roster spot open, hand out a bunch of unguaranteed deals, and see who fits best then and there (pretty much a la Shamet/Brogdon last fall). For those not tracking names, Nick Richards, Tony Bradley and Drew Eubanks remain available in free agency.
Gilbert Arenas at Fanatics Fest: Jalen Brunson still isn't a superstar.
I love Hibachi as much as anyone does, but Gilbert Arenas had the worst-ever Brunson take.
“You got the Jalen Brunson shoes? He don’t have ’em, right? (Steph Curry) sold $50 million in jerseys the days they released it. That is a superstar.”
Tyler Kolek is already working on the next upgrade to his offensive game, with yet another classical workout clip leaking and showing the third-year guard excelling at it.
Dennis Rodman had plenty to say about the Knicks finally winning after 53 years, joking and trolling and reminiscing about his good old days…
For some reason, while claiming LeBron James may be slow-playing the decision to see whether one of his preferred destinations can trade for Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving, KOC brought the Knicks back to the conversation. I got it back in June. I think it’s plain dumb to do it now. Do better, Kevin.
“Maybe LeBron shocks the world and joins the defending champion Knicks, despite how much he’d get called a ring-chaser.“
Brunson, meanwhile, is letting LeBron know what’s good.
The Cavs, fearing they might not land their homeboy, are targeting… OAKAAK Mario Hezonja. No, for real.
During Mark Pope’s first two seasons in Lexington, we have yet to see him develop a lottery pick in the NBA Draft.
That may be changing next year, as Malachi Moreno is already generating buzz as a potential lottery selection in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Over at Sports Illustrated, Derek Parker has Moreno ranked as the third-best returning college player who was a 2026 NBA prospect.
Kentucky big Malachi Moreno fell victim to the depth of the ’26 class, putting up enough production to be an intriguing late-first bet in most classes.
In his freshman season with the Wildcats, he averaged 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in just 22.6 minutes per game, showing off versatility on the interior. With similar or better production, he could massively boost his stock.
While Moreno did test the waters this year and even garnered first-round buzz, he ultimately chose to stay with the Wildcats and continue his development. If that goes well, then it’s easy to see the Georgetown native become a lottery pick in what is widely projected to be a weaker draft class in 2027.
Woo has Malachi Moreno ranked 31st overall in the 2027 draft, so he’s not quite as high on the sophomore big man.
The second Wildcat in Woo’s big board was Iowa State transfer Milan Momcilovic, who was 39th overall. The 6-foot-8 Wisconsin native shot 50.6% from the field and 48.7% from 3-point range last season with the Cyclones.
Finally, CBS Sports’ 2027 mock draft from Cameron Salerno has Moreno just missing out on the lottery, going 18th overall to the Memphis Grizzlies. Momcilovic actually cracks the first round, going 27th overall to the New York Knicks.
It’s early, but Moreno and Momcilovic are clearly Kentucky’s top NBA prospects entering the 2026-27 college basketball season. Hopefully, they’ll see other Wildcats join them in garnering first-round buzz next year, as that would likely mean Kentucky had a special season that shows Mark Pope has what it takes to bring Kentucky back to title contention.
This is the fourth time James has positioned himself to make a team decision. His last three free agency periods lasted a combined 18 days. The NBA has reached Day 25 of its free agency period without an announcement from the four-time MVP.
"We are taking this thing very seriously, but at the same time, we are having fun. I think it's good for the fans," James' agent, Rich Paul, told ESPN during an interview on July 10. "... I just tell him, take your time, (and) whenever you’re ready, just let me know.”
The social media conversation centered around James earlier this week included the idea of a potential return to the Miami Heat. Team president Pat Riley and the Miami organization have been considered the odds-on favorites to land James after a blunder with the social media department.
The Golden State Warriors were also favored this week. James joining Golden State would reunite him with Olympic teammate Stephen Curry and coach Steve Kerr.
USA TODAY Sports is tracking the latest news, rumors and updates — all things happening in real-time and behind-the-scenes — for LeBron James' next major basketball decision. Here's everything you need to know on Friday, July 24 about James and his impending decision:
Cleveland sports radio host over LeBron anticipation
07:01 AM ET, July 24 2026, Marcus D. Smith
A Cleveland sports radio host is just about done anticipating whether LeBron James will return to the Cavaliers or join another team.
ESPN Cleveland sports radio host Tony Rizzo hopes James chooses the Cavs, but he's not losing sleep over awaiting the announcement. At this point, it is what it is.
"I am now going to resign myself to the fact that he's not coming back, and if he does, great," Rizzo said.
"I am now going to resign myself to the fact that he's not coming back, and if he does, great," - Rizz on LeBron James 😯 pic.twitter.com/ww3l3s2enE
Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor seems to wonder if LeBron James' decision is contingent on whether one of his preferred teams can, or will, trade for one of his former teammates in Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving.
However, the real question is whether either are even available on the trade block. The Washington Wizards reportedly plan to have discussions with Davis about his extension when he's eligible on Aug. 6. Reports say that Washington has no plans to trade Davis.
Sources believe that LeBron James is slow-playing his decision to see if a suitor can trade for Anthony Davis or Kyrie Irving, per @KevinOConnor.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) | Getty Images
LeBron James has had success on a lot of different teams, lineup configurations, and eras over the last 23 years. Looking at what worked for a LeBron team a decade or so ago — in a vastly different NBA and style of play — isn’t all that constructive. James isn’t the player he was then, and neither is what he needs around him.
That said, there are commonalities among all four of his title teams that transcend eras. And among the finalists that James seems to be choosing from, those qualities are best seen in the Cleveland Cavaliers.
What has worked in the past?
Let’s start by taking a look at the different types of teams James won with.
First, we have the 2012 and 2013 Miami Heat. Those teams were juggernauts on both ends of the court. They were one of the best defenses in the league during those two years due to their ability to generate turnovers. And the offense was lethal once they got into the open court.
The 2016 championship team in Cleveland didn’t have that same defensive prowess. They, instead, were an offensive powerhouse with their four-out offense featuring dynamic off-the-dribble playmakers in James and Kyrie Irving.
The Los Angeles Lakers bubble title team found success with their overwhelming size. A frontcourt rotation of Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard, and JaVale McGee dominated the glass on both sides of the ball, which led to a well-balanced attack.
Trying to find a stylistic throughline is difficult. Yes, these teams were good three-point shooting teams, but you could say that about almost all champions in the last 15 years. They were all in the top 10 for offensive and defensive ratings, but again, that’s a shared trend among champions as well.
Still, there are two conclusions to draw from these teams.
First, there isn’t a necessary skill set or archetype needed for costars and the supporting cast. LeBron has just needed talent around him.
And second, all four of these teams were able to successfully play vastly different styles depending on the matchup. If they needed to play small-ball, they could. If they needed to go big, all four could do so as well.
Why talent matters
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 02: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat gestures on court against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 2, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Talent is the most important thing a LeBron team needs.
If you go back and look at every one of his playoff losses (except for the 2011 Finals), James was on the less talented team. Or at the very least, his opponent was more talented in that series.
Having a well-fitting team with a cohesive philosophy certainly helps. The 2008-09 Cavs won 66 games because they were an extraordinary match from a skill-set perspective around a young LeBron. The talent just wasn’t what it needed to be for that team to come out of the Eastern Conference.
Contrast that with the 2011 Heat.
That initial Miami team did not fit together well. They didn’t have the supporting pieces or archetypes needed to make that team work as effectively as later iterations. The 2011 Heat ran into two cohesive teams in the East with the Boston Celtics and the Chicago Bulls. Both of those opponents fit together much better, but they didn’t have the talent to keep up with LeBron, Wade, and Chris Bosh. Talent over fit won the day in somewhat lopsided series.
Yes, the 2011 team fell apart in the Finals, but that was because LeBron played the worst basketball of his career. That particular series had nothing to do with his teammates.
The current top teams pursuing James are all talented enough.
LeBron would be teaming up with another former MVP if he joined the Cavs, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, or Heat. How you would want to rank the talent on each of these teams is up to you. I believe the Cavs and Sixers are clearly at the top in this discussion due to having three or more former All-Stars for James to slot in beside, but I don’t believe it’s worth getting too hung up on that. All of these teams would have talent.
Why versatility matters
CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 25: J.R. Smith #5, Matthew Dellavedova #8, Kevin Love #0, Channing Frye #9, LeBron James #23 and Tristan Thompson #13 of the Cleveland Cavaliers look on from the bench late in the game against the Toronto Raptors in game five of the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on May 25, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Versatility is one of the things that separated the teams LeBron won a championship on from those that didn’t. All four of his title teams could play vastly different styles depending on the matchup. James’s incredibly well-rounded skill set helped them do so.
We’ll go through these in chronological order.
The back-to-back champion Heat teams were Swiss army knives on both ends. Defensively, they had the versatility to play big with Udonis Haslem and Chris Anderson at center alongside a James and Bosh frontcourt. If they were playing a more wing-heavy team, Bosh could shift over to center while James and Shane Battier could handle the wings.
Offensively, those groups could spread the floor out well in smaller lineups. Bosh at the five alongside some configuration that included Mike Miller, Battier, or Ray Allen allowed for four-out spacing lineups in an era that was rare. They were able to do this without sacrificing defense due to Bosh and James’s size and strength in the frontcourt.
The 2016 Cavs overcame the 73-win Warriors because they were one of the only teams in the league that could punish Golden State’s small “Death Lineup.” Tristan Thompson’s ability to stay with guards on the perimeter, combined with his rebounding, neutralized a lot of the advantages Golden State had over their other opponents.
That Cavs team could also play against bigger teams if needed. Timofey Mozgov was serviceable against larger centers. Channing Frye and Kevin Love’s shooting also allowed them to have perfect, five-out spacing if the situation called for that as well.
The bubble Lakers could shift between playing big with Davis at the four, paired with either Howard or McGee, or play small ball with Davis moving over to the five. Switchable wings like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green fit great in this configuration as they could shift up or down as needed. Throw in Alex Caruso, and you had the perfect defensive personnel for any opponent.
How these four teams’ versatility showed through was different. Some teams could provide better options defensively. Others had more offensive counters. But all were able to pull multiple levers depending on the situation.
This is where the current Cavs team stands out most from the competition.
Versatility would be the Cavs’ best asset
CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 25: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket around Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 25, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Lakers defeated the Cavaliers 121-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Evan Mobley is the perfect archetype for a big to play alongside James. Being able to easily defend the four and the five allows you to opt for more spaced-out lineups without Jarrett Allen, and imposing jumbo lineups with all three of James, Mobley, and Allen in the game.
Redundant skill sets have been an issue for the Cavs throughout the core-four era. Having guards and bigs that functionally have the same strengths and weaknesses has been an issue in certain playoff series.
The lack of a do-it-all connector has left something to be desired whenever they tried to play too small or too big. A small frontcourt with Dean Wade on instead of Allen was a clear talent downgrade. Additionally, Wade’s limited offensive skill set allowed defenders to cheat off him even though he was out there to provide additional shooting.
Conversely, going big with a Wade-Mobley-Allen frontcourt was too clunky offensively. Having three players who weren’t great on-ball creators placed too much of that burden onto the guards, leaving them susceptible to double teams.
Replacing Wade with LeBron is a difficult calculation entirely. Small-ball lineups would have much better spacing with three A+ creators on the court, with more offensive threats. Concerns about a jumbo lineup not working offensively would be significantly minimized with an additional playmaker in James on the court.
Optionality is important in a more parity-driven league. If you want to win a championship, you need to be able to match up with the San Antonio Spurs’ imposing frontcourt while also being able to hang offensively against spaced-out opponents like the Celtics and New York Knicks.
Having good three-point shooting helps in this conversation as well. Five of Cleveland’s current top-eight rotation players shot 35% or better from three. This includes Sam Merrill (42.1%), Jaylon Tyson (44.6%), and Max Strus (40.2%), all shooting above 40% from three last regular season.
Let’s Cleveland’s ability to play different styles if they had LeBron compared with other teams.
The Sixers don’t have a five-out small-ball option with either Adem Bona or Dominick Barlow. Playing Wade at center would be the only way they could get there, but we know the downsides of that. While Philadelphia would have an impressive starting unit when healthy, they wouldn’t have Cleveland’s optionality.
The same is true for the Heat. The two best players alongside LeBron are non-shooting bigs. Taking one of them off the floor would be a significant talent downgrade. Would they have the offensive firepower to hang with teams like the Celtics, Knicks, and Sixers? Would they be able to execute well enough offensively in a cramped half-court?
The current Warriors don’t have the multiple counters they did in the past. Draymond Green isn’t the same impactful, do-it-all center he was in his prime. He can still play the five, but there aren’t the supporting pieces elsewhere to give them the optionality you would like. This would be a different conversation if you could guarantee perfect health for Kristaps Porziņģis and Jimmy Butler.
There’s this idea that James would only come back to Cleveland for sentimental reasons. After all, there’s an undeniable poetry to finishing a career where it started — especially when that place also happens to be right next to your hometown.
Yet, there’s plenty of basketball reasons to return as well. The Cavs have built a team in dire need of the connective tissue James would bring. His game would slot in perfectly into a group that has needed his particular skill set for the last half-decade. In many ways, it seems like the Cavs have been trying to build the perfect team for James without him.
We don’t know what LeBron is going to do. There are plenty of reasons for him to sign elsewhere. But to act like the Cavs don’t offer a compelling on-court reason to return is nonsensical. Cleveland has assembled a team that fits the exact mold of what has worked during each of his championship runs. If he were to sign with the Cavs, they’d put him in an excellent position to grab his fourth ring.
That music you hear in the background is the Jeopardy theme, playing while we wait for LeBron James to announce his decision. While LeBron's dragged-out process has slowed the market, it has not slowed the rumors, here are some of the latest.
Lakers calling Kuminga
The Lakers will have 16 guaranteed contracts on the books once the Kevon Looney and Matisse Thybulle deals become official, meaning they have to shed at least one player from the roster before the season starts (league rules only permit carrying 15). The Lakers also are just under $2 million below the luxury tax line, according to Spotac.
That hasn't stopped Lakers president Rob Pelinka from calling Jonathan Kuminga to make his pitch, reports ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
"I can tell you that they keep calling Jonathan Kuminga. Obviously they have not made a lucrative enough offer for Kuminga to jump. But part of their pitch has been, 'Hey, you can come start here potentially'... All I can tell you is Rob Pelinka keeps calling about Jonathan Kuminga."
Slater's report comes despite previous ones that sign-and-trade talks between the Lakers and Hawks have all but died, and that the Lakers and Kuminga were nowhere close to agreeing to a new contract number. It's possible all that is true and Pelinka keeps calling anyway. The Lakers reportedly have offered two years, $20 million total, while Kuminga is looking for something at the very least north of the mid-level exception of $15 million a season.
Then there are the multiple problems of a sign-and-trade with Atlanta — the Hawks are not interested unless the Lakers throw in draft compensation that makes it worth their while. The Hawks are currently $4.9 million below the luxury tax with 17 players on the books (one of those is a partial guarantee), meaning Atlanta must trade or waive two players before the season starts — and Kuminga is not one of the guys on the books. Meaning if they do a sign-and-trade they add a player and salary to their books. The Lakers reportedly offered Jared Vanderbilt in the deal, but that doesn't work for the Hawks on two fronts: 1) It puts them into the luxury tax this year, and Vanderbilt is not worth going into the tax for; 2) Vanderbilt has two guaranteed years left on his contract and the Hawks don't want his $13.3 million for 2027-28 on the books. The Hawks might consider it for the swap rights to the Lakers' 2032 first-round pick — the only first-round pick the Lakers can trade — but is Kuminga worth giving up that trade asset for?
Lakers fans, remember how frustrated Steve Kerr was with Kuminga, trying to get him to play in their system and work off the ball to get open? With Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, JJ Redick is going to ask a lot of the same things of Kuminga. So why is he suddenly a good fit?
D’Angelo Russell expected to become free agent
D'Angelo Russell ended up in Memphis as part of the massive six-team trade that also saw Isaiah Stewart end up with the Grizzlies. While Stewart is part of the future plans in Memphis, Russell is not and the sides are working toward a buyout that would make Russell a free agent, reports Kelly Iko at Yahoo Sports.
Russell's timeline — an experienced player with over 30 playoff games — simply doesn't align with a rebuilding Grizzlies franchise seeking young, developmental talent centered around a core of Cedric Coward, Zach Edey and recent No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer.
Russell would have interest on the open market. However, he has been inconsistent in recent seasons and has always been better with the ball in his hands rather than working off it (which is why he fell out of favor with Jason Kidd in Dallas last season, before the team traded him to Washington at the deadline). Last season he played in just 26 games, averaging 10.2 points and four assists a game, but shooting 29.5% from 3-point range. He will draw interest as a backup point guard, although he could wait until camps open and teams realize they need another point guard (or an injury hits them) and they come calling.
Expect to see this split between Russell and the Grizzlies to happen in the coming weeks.
How much is Jalen Duren worth?
Jalen Duren and the Detroit Pistons remain at an impasse, with Duren becoming this year's poster child for why agents and players hate restricted free agency.
As a reminder, coming off an All-NBA season where he averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds a game while playing high-level defense in the paint, Duren qualifies for a Rose Rule: 30% of the salary cap max for five years, $287 million. However, after a disappointing playoff run where he was largely a non-factor (or at least not near what was expected), he is willing to take the same deal Victor Wembanyama got at 25% of the cap, or five years at $239.2 million.
Except the Pistons reportedly are not putting that on the table. So Fred Katz of The Athletic asked 13 people from other front offices what they would offer Duren if they were in the Pistons' shoes, and the offers were much lower than what Duren is seeking.
One executive believes he's identified the fair deal for Duren and the Pistons: $204.5 million over five years... Yet, this exec is on the high end of the poll; $204.5 million, even though it's far below his max, is the second-most guaranteed money any of the respondents suggested. The largest proposed deal was $230 million over five years. Two executives considered $200 million over five years to be fair. The two other five-year deals were for $190 million and $180 million.
All the others were lower than that, with some offering only four-year deals.
Duren's only leverage is to say he will play this season for the $9.6 million qualifying offer and become a free agent next summer, potentially leaving Detroit for nothing. The concern there is that not a lot of teams are lined up to have max cap space next summer. More concerningly would be leaving all that money on the table — things do sometimes go sideways. Even on the lower end of what might be offered, that is generational wealth. It's a lot just to walk away from.
Which is what Detroit is counting on. Expect a deal to get done, eventually.
Other trade rumors
• New Orleans has had trade conversations with several teams about wing Jordan Hawkins, reports Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. Memphis was one of the teams involved, according to the report. Hawkins was a lottery pick in the 2023 draft but has regressed each of the last two years, and last season averaged 5.1 points per game shooting 36.6% overall.
• It's worth noting the Pelicans continue to hold tightly to the wings teams are really calling them about, Trey Murphy III and Herbert Jones.
• Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball have been to France and are working out with Rudy Gobert, reports Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. That's a good sign for Timberwolves fans.
• The Houston Rockets re-signed veteran Jae'Sean Tate to a one-year, veteran minimum contract (partially guaranteed). His role decreased last season with the Rockets, he played in just 46 games and averaged 8.8 minutes a night.
• Houston may have the best free agent signing of the summer: assistant coach Chip Engelland. The shooting guru is leaving Oklahoma City to work under Ime Udoka in Houston, and it's hard to overstate what a quality hire that is for the Rockets.
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 12: Jonathan Kuminga #0 of the Atlanta Hawks drives to the basket during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 12, 2026 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Joe Boatman/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
From the moment the Hawks declined their team option for Jonathan Kuminga, he was linked to the Lakers.
LA lacks forwards with LeBron James and Rui Hachimura gone, making Kuminga a great option at the wing position.
Kuminga remains an unrestricted free agent, and the Lakers continue to search for their future wing. With reports that talks regarding Kuminga stalled, the Lakers added other players.
“I can tell you that they keep calling Jonathan Kuminga. And again, obviously they have not made a lucrative enough offer for Kuminga to jump. But part of their pitch has been, ‘Hey, you can come start here potentially.’
“And that says two things to me. Number one, it says the Lakers still don’t want to be done making moves. And they believe they’re a little weak on the wing position. Which, I think [Matisse] Thybulle will help. I think Ziaire Williams will help, but they could use some more juice on the wing, and maybe they get Kuminga done. Maybe they don’t. I think the LeBron domino affects Kuminga and what he may or may not be able to get. But, again, all I can tell you is Rob Pelinka keeps calling about Jonathan Kuminga”
This late into free agency, there is no reason for Kuminga to rush. A few teams are waiting for LeBron’s decision, and likely, once that is finalized, he can see how much money other teams have and sign where he thinks works best for him.
The Lakers’ offer of a potential starting spot and the attention LA always gets provide an alluring option for Kuminga. But clearly, that alone hasn’t been enough for him to sign.
Lakers President of Basketball Operations Rob Pelinka is doing the right thing here. Kuminga would be a great wing for the Lakers, and until he signs with a team, it doesn’t hurt to keep reaching out and trying to get a deal done.
If Kuminga signs elsewhere, the Lakers won’t be stuck with nothing.
They have wing options like Thybulle, Williams and even Adou Thiero they can rely on. And if he does join the purple and gold, this will be a notch on Pelinka’s belt. It’ll be an example of how a franchise can keep communication open with one of the best unrestricted free agents on the market and ultimately come to an agreement.
So, until Kuminga is officially off the table, the Lakers appear to remain interested and willing to keep hitting up his agent’s line.
