More than a day after James revealed he was moving on from the Lakers, Reaves took to his Instagram Stories to wish his pal well.
LeBron James #23 and Austin Reaves #15 of the Los Angeles Lakers smile during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2026 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. NBAE via Getty Images
“Thank you for everything,” Reaves said in a caption on three images of he and James sharing the court together.
“See you on the golf course soon brother!”
Austin Reaves wished LeBron James well on his Instagram page on Wednesday. austinreaves12
Reaves’ delay in acknowledging James’ departure caught the attention of many, considering the headlines Rich Paul made in January when he suggested on his podcast that the Lakers trade Reaves.
Rich Paul says if he ran the Lakers, he would call Memphis Grizzlies to trade for Jaren Jackson Jr for a package with Austin Reaves
“If I was the Lakers I would be targeting the Memphis Grizzlies as a trade partner for Jaren Jackson… If you’re building around Luka you need… pic.twitter.com/vEj647cWfT
James’ agent said on “Game Over” that he believed the Lakers sending Reaves to Memphis in exchange for Jaren Jackson Jr. would make them a better team.
The clip made so many waves, Reaves’ agent, Reggie Berry of AMR Agency, reportedly approached Paul at a game and spoke with him about the remarks for several minutes.
LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2024 Play-In Tournament on April 16, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NBAE via Getty Images
“I think you all know by now, Rich is his own man and what Rich says is not a direct reflection of me and how I feel,” James said. “And I hope people know that. I hope people know that and if they’re not sensible to know that, then I don’t know what to tell them.”
With his post on Wednesday, Reaves — who’s been teammates with James the past five seasons — joined several other Lakers who penned heartfelt goodbyes to the NBA’s all-time leading scorer.
Luka Doncic wrote on Instagram that it was “an honor to play with and learn from” James. Jarred Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia and Jaxson Hayes all also sent out social media tributes to the future Hall of Famer.
It’s not yet known where James will play next — though the Warriors, Heat, Cavaliers and Timberwolves have been considered the favorites in the early goings of free agency.
Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) drives against San Antonio Spurs’ AP
On paper, the Spurs made plenty of sense.
Victor Wembanyama is already one of the best players in the league and has quickly turned San Antonio into a legitimate contender.
Pairing him with James would have created one of the NBA’s most fascinating cross-generational duos: the defining superstar of the last 20 years alongside the player many expect to define the next 10.
Detroit Pistons forward Tobias Harris IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
James could have given the Spurs another playmaker, a veteran postseason organizer and a mentor for Wembanyama as San Antonio tries to move from exciting young contender to championship team.
But free agency is not about storybook fits.
Rich Paul recently said James’ decision is being guided by “complete happiness,” which means his final choice will include a wide range of basketball and non-basketball factors.
Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on NBAE via Getty Images
Paul also said he has spoken to “about 12-14 teams,” meaning almost half the league has at least been part of the conversation. He described James’ ideal landing spot as one where he can compete for a championship with players who understand high-level basketball.
With the Spurs seemingly stepping aside, the remaining rumors narrow. Golden State, Cleveland, Miami, Minnesota and Denver have all been connected to James in some form.
United States forward LeBron James and guard Stephen Curry celebrate USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Golden State offers the dream pairing with Stephen Curry, turning one of the league’s great rivalries into a must-watch partnership built on shooting, passing and championship experience.
Cleveland offers the emotional full-circle ending, with James returning home for one final run around an already strong Cavaliers core.
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Miami offers history and star power, especially if a trio of James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo is somehow in play.
Minnesota offers a version of the Spurs’ appeal, with Anthony Edwards giving James a young superstar partner on a team already built to contend.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) hug USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Denver may be the most entertaining basketball fit of all, with James alongside Nikola Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets’ core conjuring video-game-level possibilities.
ABU DHABI, UAE - OCTOBER 3: Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics interacts with the kids at the NBA Cares Clinic as part of 2024 NBA Global Games Abu Dhabi at Etihad Arena on October 3, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, The United Arab Emirates. 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 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The Celtics have officially traded Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George and draft compensation. It’s a move that will be scrutinized by many for its underwhelming basketball return.
On the court, the organization parts ways with a five-time All-Star and a former Finals MVP, a player who has been one of their franchise cornerstones for nearly a decade.
On the court, the Celtics lose a player who finished 6th in MVP voting last season, and someone who helped lead the team to six conference Finals appearances, two Finals, and one title. Without question, Brown is one of the NBA’s elite scorers, and — as he pointed out in a Tweet on Saturday — no one has won more combined regular-season and playoff games than him since he entered the league.
On the court, it will be hard for the Celtics to replace his production, and the basketball implications of the trade remain to be seen.
On the court, Brown departs as one of just six Finals MVPs in franchise history.
But off the court, Brown’s impact is even more profound and hard to measure. Since he arrived in Boston, Brown decided he wanted to make an impact in the community, connect with the kids who live in the city, and invest in entrepreneurs and creators from underrepresented groups. He launched multiple endeavors — first the 7uice Foundation, and later Boston XChange — immersed himself in the city, and became a fixture in the community.
Basketball pundits can debate the franchise’s return in the trade all they want, but no matter how you slice it, there’s an off-court component to the transaction that will be difficult, perhaps impossible, to quantify.
But, let’s take a quick look at it.
Jaylen Brown’s legacy begins with the 7uice Foundation
Jaylen Brown launched the 7uice Foundation in 2019 to bridge the opportunity gap for youth in underserved communities. The foundation houses the Bridge program, an educational, week-long camp for youth from the Greater Boston Area, as well as several other endeavors meant to promote education.
Throughout my three seasons covering Brown, I attended the majority of his many off-court events and routinely observed one thing: no matter how busy his schedule got, he spent hours on end with kids eager to meet with him, asking them questions, getting to know them, and for the extent of their interactions, making them feel like the most important people in the room.
In February, Brown hosted a first-of-its-kind college fair in Roxbury. Ambassadors from Harvard, MIT, Dartmouth, Hampton, and other universities were in attendance, as were various internship and job programs. Brown estimated over 100 different partners came to the Boys and Girls Club for the event, all with the intent of showing the local youth their futures hold plenty of options, even “when people, or society, are counting on them to fail.”
“[The goal was] just to take a bunch of resources and bring them to a place that typically doesn’t have the same access,” Brown said.
The Celtics star regularly partnered with higher education institutions and community groups. Last year, on Juneteenth, he gifted sneakers to students at the Berkshire Partners Blue Hill Club in Dorchester. He had his shoe and apparel line, 741 Performance, partnered with a marketing class at Babson College and worked directly with undergraduate students in the program.
Jaylen Brown worked to immerse himself in the Boston community
Over the years, Brown regularly visited schools across Boston, sometimes on camera, and more often more under-the-radar.
Andrea Swain, the Boys and Girls Club’s chief impact officer, noted that Brown’s involvement in the community is nothing new.
“He’s been doing it since he arrived in Boston,” she told CelticsBlog. “He’s everywhere. He’s been at some of the playgrounds in Roxbury — he’s an active, engaged figure, and a lot of stuff he does is off camera. He’ll come and give out turkeys in the community, give encouragement.”
Last summer, after the Celtics second-round elimination to the New York Knicks, Brown took it upon himself to surprise students at five schools across Roxbury, andDorchester.
“People couldn’t stop talking about it, I can’t even lie,” Jaylon Mason, a graduating senior at Brooke High School, told CelticsBlog after Brown visited his school. “It’s the equivalent of, like, sitting on your bed and eating cereal, watching TV, and like, Obama comes in.”
With the Bridge Program, Brown left his deepest imprint
In 2021, amid the Covid pandemic, Brown launched the Bridge program. Last summer, he let me attend the interdisciplinary program, which centered on robotics, artificial intelligence, climate change, food insecurity, data visualization, and a range of other topics. Hundreds of students from across the city attended for free.
“I wanted to send the kids who are helpful in their community, who seem to care, who want to strive to help and touch others,” Brown told me as the camp neared its conclusion. “I wanted to bring 100+ kids together, who all kind of had the same mentality.”
Brown attended the entirety of Bridge, all while rehabbing from his offseason knee surgery. He explained that he felt a prerogative to give back to the community given the immense power he has as a professional athlete.
“Even in a city like Boston, some of our most prominent figures in sports are more influential than any of the political leaders here,” Brown said. “So, exposing [students] to building life skills, and at the same time, building leadership skills — the combination of those two can make some really good human beings.”
He credits his grandmother for teaching him from a young age that he had to work hard to make an impact: “The quote that I would say that encapsulates that is: There are a bunch of people who complain about society, but do little to contribute to it. And my grandma was like, ‘You’re not gonna be one of those people.’ You can’t live in a community for 10 years plus, and have contributed nothing outside of whatever business you’re doing.”
Brown and his mother, Mechalle, are working to turn the Bridge program into a year-long program.
Jaylen Brown uplifted entrepreneurs via Boston XChange
Jaylen Brown launched Boston XChange with teammate Jrue Holiday in 2024. The XChange is an incubator that each year provides $100,000 in funding, as well as transformative resources, to ten businesses led by entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities. The XChange just finished accepting applications for its second cohort.
Among those businesses is the Future Masters Chess Academy, a chess program aimed at supporting underserved youth across the state. Brown met Lawyer Times, the academy’s founder and a lifelong chess player, a decade ago, and they hit it off due to their mutual love for the game.
“We talked about our missions and our vision – and they aligned,” Times told CelticsBlog. “He wants young people, especially from underrepresented communities, to use their minds, not just to be thought of as athletes.”
The Academy has received so much support and investment from Boston XChange that Times was able to retire from his job at the U.S. Post Office after 40 years.
Last year, Brown hosted the chess academy – alongside the nine other first-year grant recipients – for an intimate dinner at his apartment. They sat at family-style tables, and Brown spent all evening getting to know each of the entrepreneurs on a personal level.
“It was phenomenal – just being right there, talking to him once again, talking about our mission,” Times said. “His mind is so next level. And he was telling me about how this is an opportunity right now to really change the narrative in so many ways.”
Jaylen Brown wants to be remembered for his off-court work
When I attended the Bridge program last summer, Jaylen Brown explained to me that he had been working hard to ensure that all of his philanthropic endeavors could be self-sustaining without him. And, though the majority of his free time was spent in the gym, rehabbing from knee surgery and working on his game, Brown felt his most important contributions to Boston came far from the court.
“Yeah, I play for the Celtics,” Brown said. “Yeah, I started businesses here. But I’ve also been in the community. I’ve been in the Boys and Girls Clubs. I’ve connected with people. I spend time. People know me by name because I spend time in the community.”
“Sports are very powerful. But there are other things that are more important.”
The Nets rounded out their center rotation Tuesday, agreeing to a two-year, $19 million deal with Moritz Wagner.
Trading away Nic Claxton had created a glaring hole and elevated the newly re-signed Day’Ron Sharpe to presumptive starter. Now the 29-year-old Wagner will back up — or perhaps platoon with — Sharpe.
The deal — first reported by HoopsHype and confirmed by The Post — is similar to the one agreed to with Keon Ellis the night before, and has a second-year mutual option. In essence, either side can opt in to the deal, trigger the second year and fully guarantee the remaining $9 million. But if both sides opt out, Wagner would become an unrestricted free agent again next summer.
Ellis’ deal provided a defensive-minded guard. Wagner’s pact now provides help on the other end of the floor, though no shot blocking. Rim protection was already an Achilles’ heel for the Nets even with Claxton. Settling on a Sharpe-Wagner tandem makes them worse in that area.
But Nets GM Sean Marks likely looked at the centers available — in both free agency and on the trade market — and made cost-effective signings in Wagner and Sharpe (two years, $20 million), whose contract looks better in light of the inflated center market.
Ex-Knick Mitchell Robinson was likely the only shot-blocker available to them, but he inked with a contender in Boston while the Nets are rebuilding. Walker Kessler ($32.5 million annual salary), Robinson ($15.8 million), Jock Landale ($14 million) and Sandro Mamukelashvili ($13 million) all signed hefty deals. And Jalen Duren hasn’t even gotten his lucrative contract yet, but will be well paid.
The Nets have signed Mortiz Wagner. Getty Images
Instead, the Nets went with a cheaper floor-raiser. It does take them out of the running for a max salary slot, but leaves them with just under $25 million in cap space if they structure one of their signings into the room mid-level exception.
That projection doesn’t include the Claxton-Julius Randle swap, which won’t be official until Monday. The Nets could spend that amount, then trade Claxton. They would still have to include another small salary with Claxton to make the salary-matching math work. They’re $917,000 short, per Yossi Gozlan of Third Apron.
Orlando’s signing of Nikola Vucevic essentially ended Wagner’s time with the Magic, and playing alongside his younger brother Franz.
The older Wagner brother averaged 6.9 points and 3.2 rebounds in just 11.9 minutes last season, logging 36 appearances after coming back from a torn ACL the prior year.
Wagner had averaged 11.1 points and 4.5 boards in 18.5 minutes over the prior three seasons combined for Orlando, on .560/.329/.802 shooting splits. While certainly not a pure stretch five, he spaces the floor better than Sharpe or Claxton. He brings energy and mobility, though not a hint of rim protection.
Brooklyn will need to either find that at another position — and Randle is set to start at power forward — or compensate by pressuring the ball farther up the court. Neither Sharpe, Wagner nor second-year pro Danny Wolf is a shot-blocker, and the interior defense may suffer.
Brooklyn still has ample cap space and the most tradable future first-round picks in the league. One thing they could do with their cap room is give Michael Porter Jr. a raise for the upcoming season in a renegotiation and extension.
The Nets also have a glut of guards, with Ellis’ skill set not only replacing the departed Ziaire Williams but perhaps making Terance Mann redundant. Could they make a trade to consolidate and add on the wing?
Houston’s Tari Eason and Denver’s Peyton Watson are restricted free agents, with the latter vacationing in France with Porter to celebrate his former Nuggets teammate’s 28th birthday.
And if Orlando ever decides to break up their core with Paolo Banchero and the younger Wagner being a poor fit, having the German star’s older sibling on the roster could be a boon for Brooklyn.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 01: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics reacts during warmups before a game against the Houston Rockets at the TD Garden on November 01, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Brian Fluharty/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers acquired Brown for Paul George, a 2031 unprotected first-round draft pick, a 2028 first-round draft pick that could convert to a swap that is more favorable to Boston, and two second round picks, according to Shams Charania. The Sixers weren’t included on our initial list of Brown trade candidates because it was hard to believe Boston would trade him to the team that just knocked them out of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. It really happened.
The Sixers are now in position to compete for the Eastern Conference title if Joel Embiid can stay healthy. The Celtics are taking a step back now to take a step forward later. Let’s grade this trade for both sides.
Celtics grade for Jaylen Brown trade
The Celtics were reportedly asking teams for four first-round picks back for Brown. They settled for a lot less in this package from Philly.
Brown is about to turn 30 years old, and he’s coming off the best season of his career where he earned Second-Team All-NBA honors. He led the Celtics to 56 wins as Jayson Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles, and called it the most satisfying year of his career despite being named 2024 NBA Finals MVP as he helped the Celtics to a championship. Brown never asked out. So, why did the Celtics trade him for what feels like a disappointing package?
The Celtics decided they couldn’t keep the status quo after being eliminated in the first-round of the 2026 playoffs by the Sixers. Brown is owed a ton of money with three years and more than $180 million remaining on his deal. Boston wanted to clear payroll, and they clearly thought this was the time to deal Brown coming off such a productive season.
It’s a stunning decision. Brown and Tatum led the Celtics to the 2024 championship. Why not give them one more year with Tatum back for a full season? Obviously, Brad Stevens didn’t think Boston was good enough to win a championship as presently constructed, and he decided to blow it up. This would make more sense to me if Boston got a better trade package back. Instead, this return is highly underwhelming.
Paul George has two years, $110 million remaining on his deal. His play has fallen off hard the last couple seasons, and it’s hard to envision him matching Brown’s production. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Celtics looked to flip him, too. The 2031 first-round pick is a nice trade chip. Boston will probably try to include that in an offer for a superstar within the next few years. For now, the Celtics are likely to take a step back as other Eastern Conference contenders rise.
Brown is a polarizing player. I called him one of the worst contracts in the league coming into last season. The Celtics were better with him off the floor last season. Still, Brown is one of the most durable and productive stars in the league. He’s really good even if he probably isn’t worth his max contract. This is a really courageous trade for Brad Stevens. I want to like it, but I just don’t think the value coming back is good enough.
Grade: C+
76ers grade for Jaylen Brown trade
I can’t believe the Sixers pulled this off. New lead executive Mike Gansey is swinging for the fences out of the gate, and he acquired a star in his prime that could push Philly to the top of the Eastern Conference.
Brown joins Tyrese Maxey and V.J. Edgecombe on the perimeter. Embiid is still in the middle, and the Sixers signed Dean Wade to be their new power forward in free agency. Add in rookie Labaron Philon, forwards Justin Edwards and Dominick Barlow, and center Adem Bona, and the Sixers believe they have an outline of a title team. I think this bench is super weak, and that’s a bad sign because the latest NBA champions have relied quite a bit on depth. There’s still time for the Sixers to make more moves, of course.
This starting five is as good as any in the league on paper. The game isn’t played on paper. It will be fascinating to see how Brown’s game mixes with Maxey’s. Embiid’s health hangs over the whole team, and it’s hard to think he can last for an entire playoff run. Still, the Sixers gave themselves a championship ceiling with this move, and the price wasn’t that high to get it. The biggest risk Philly is taking on is Brown’s contract. I think it’s worth it. The Sixers can push the Knicks and Raptors in the East next season. It’s time for Philly to finally make a deep playoff run.
The Lakers have been extremely aggressive in free agency this offseason after superstar Luka Dončić relayed his desire for major roster improvements heading into the 2026-27 season.
But general manager Rob Pelinka quickly countered with multiple signings Wednesday headlined by Walker Kessler, who inked a four-year, $130 million deal with LA after the team acquired the center from the Utah Jazz in a trade.
Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka has been busy reconstructing the roster this offseason. Getty Images
Are those moves enough to put the Lakers into contender status?
Many would argue Pelinka’s job is far from over this offseason, which is concerning given the Lakers’ limited cap space wouldn’t allow the team to make another free agent signing. The team could add a veteran player on a league minimum deal but not much more than that.
Now, the Lakers are being linked to free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. The 23-year-old player spent the first four seasons of his career with the Golden State Warriors before Kuminga was traded to the Atlanta Hawks prior to the 2026 trade deadline.
The Lakers can create about $7 million in cap space if they waive and stretch Vando’s contract. That would give them the flexibility to make an offer for Jonathan Kuminga.
LAL already had legitimate interest in Kuminga earlier this year. If Rob can somehow pull this off, he’d be… pic.twitter.com/NZbse8Jigu
Jonathan Kuminga spent the first four seasons of his career with the Warriors. Now, there’s a chance he could join the Lakers. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Kuminga is coming off of a 2025-26 season in which he averaged 12.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists. He shot 46.3% from the field and 33.3% from beyond the arc. The Lakers were previously interested in Kuminga earlier this year, and signing the forward is still a possibility.
After multiple signings Wednesday, the Lakers no longer have the financial flexibility to sign Kuminga. But they could do so by waiving Jarred Vanderbilt. The team would need to free up another $7 million in cap space to orchestrate a potential deal, doing so by stretching Vanderbilt’s contract.
Vanderbilt has emerged as a liability on offense, and his injury history has left his Lakers future in doubt. Now, the Lakers have even more of a reason to part ways with the forward.
Signing Kuminga would perhaps complete the Lakers’ offseason, but it remains uncertain whether Pelinka can orchestrate such a deal.
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Given how things were trending this offseason, Jaylen Brown's time in Boston coming to an end is unsurprising. However, few, if any, expected the five-time All-Star to remain in the Atlantic Division. That's what has reportedly happened, with the Celtics sending Brown to Philadelphia for Paul George, two future first-round picks and two future second-round picks.
BLOCKBUSTER: The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/xNcNlIV2mh
Despite Brown coming off the most productive individual season of his NBA career, the Celtics reportedly struggled to drum up interest on the trade market after their failed attempt to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Bucks. So, Brown heads to Philadelphia, with the Celtics receiving four future picks and George's cumbersome contract. Let's look at how this trade will affect fantasy basketball next season.
As noted above, the 2025-26 season was the best of Brown's career in terms of individual production. In 72 games, he either matched or set career highs in points (28.7), rebounds (6.9) and assists (5.1), while also tallying 1.0 steals and 2.0 three-pointers. Shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 79.5 percent from the foul line, Brown was a second-team All-NBA selection.
However, a big reason for his increased production was the absence of Jayson Tatum, who did not make his 2025-26 debut until March after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Add in the departures of Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford, and there was a greater need for Brown to take over offensively.
In Philadelphia, he'll take on the starting small forward role in a lineup that includes Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe. Brown's usage is likely to suffer, and the same may be true for Edgecombe, but the wild card is Embiid's availability.
With the 7-footer having appeared in 39 or fewer games in each of the last three seasons, fantasy managers have to assume that at least one extended absence is in the cards for the former league MVP. That's where players like Brown and Edgecombe may be able to compensate for any decrease in usage they may experience when the 76ers are whole.
Boston receives:
Paul George
Two future first-round picks
Two future second-round picks
George's two seasons in Philadelphia were marred by injuries, with the nine-time All-Star appearing in only 78 regular-season games. And his production was not on par with what many fantasy managers and basketball fans expected of him. In 37 games last season, George averaged 17.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 three-pointers while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 82.0 percent from the foul line.
Even with the draft picks received, this is a shocking trade by the Celtics, especially given George's recent injury history and the fact that he turned 36 in May (Brown turns 30 in October).
Wednesday's transaction puts more responsibility on Tatum, who played in 16 regular-season games and missed Game 7 of Boston's first-round series against Philadelphia due to a knee issue. If he goes into next season fully healthy, there may not be too much concern, but the Celtics are taking a major risk.
Derrick White, who has long been a reliable option in category leagues, should also see his fantasy value rise, provided he shoots the ball better than he did last season. Young wings Hugo González and Baylor Scheierman won't be players worth targeting in most drafts, but there may be times when they have added streaming value.
After LeBron James decided not to return to the Lakers for his unprecedented 24th NBA season, teams are clamoring to sign one of the greatest players of all-time, who apparently isn’t factoring money into his free-agency decision for the first time in his career.
The competition has gotten so intense that even the governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, weighed in by reposting a report about how the state has the US’s best quality of life and tagging James in it. The PGA Tour got in on the fun as well, posting a photoshopped image of James wearing a Tour-branded polo and cap. Several NFL teams also jokingly shot their shot at the James sweepstakes.
With the competition fierce and James’s decision approaching, let’s break down where the four-time champion and four-time MVP will most likely land. They’re ranked in descending order of likelihood.
Where LeBron James plays next season will be the talk of the NBA offseason. Getty Images
Golden State Warriors
Pros: James has said that if he could play alongside anyone in the NBA, it would be Steph Curry. They won a gold medal together at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. They met in four straight Finals from 2015-2018. They dominated the NBA over the last decade. How fun would it be if they teamed up in the twilight of their careers? It would be the greatest show in town, regardless of how deep they went in the playoffs. Not to mention, James is good friends with Draymond Green and has a lot of respect for Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
Cons: Next season, James will be 42, Curry will be 39 and Green will be 37. That’s geriatric in NBA terms. How could they compete against vastly younger and deeper teams such as the Spurs and Thunder? And if Anthony Davis is traded to the Warriors as part of the deal to acquire James, they’d just be adding another oft-injured player to a roster that’s already one injury away from disaster.
Comment: It would be pure cinema. It would be worth the risk. It’s where James would have the most fun.
From rivals to friends, James and Steph Curry would be enticing and must-see TV all next season. Getty Images
Cleveland Cavaliers
Pros: This would tie a bow on James’ illustrious career. It’s where he was drafted in 2003 as the prospect with the highest expectations in NBA history. It’s where he sprinted past those expectations. It’s where he completed the greatest comeback of all-time, helping the Cavaliers storm back from a 3-1 series deficit in the 2016 NBA Finals against the Warriors, winning the franchise’s first-ever championship.
When the Lakers played in Cleveland in January, James teared up during a video tribute. This franchise still means so much to him. He grew up just 40 miles from Cleveland in Akron, Ohio. He still refers to himself as “The kid from Akron.” The basketball case would be pretty compelling too, with him playing alongside Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Cons: James wouldn’t want to be so far from his family. He has emphasized how hard it has been to miss so many of his children’s milestones throughout his career. He’s not going to move to the East Coast and be absent for all of his 11-year-old daughter’s volleyball games. Also, ever since James turned 40, his passion has become golf. Cleveland winters don’t exactly facilitate beautiful days spent on the green.
Comment: This would be the storybook ending for James. But it’s hard to imagine he’d pull the trigger on it.
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A return to his hometown would make for a storybook ending for James. Getty Images
Miami Heat
Pros: The Heat already acquired Giannis Antetokounmpo, and pairing him with James would be thrilling. James has strong ties to the Heat after carrying them to four straight Finals from 2011-2014, winning two championships. James has great relationships with Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra. It’s hard to imagine James going somewhere in which he has no history at this point, so the Heat could be a destination that makes sense.
Cons: When James returned to Miami in March, it was obvious he doesn’t have the same sentimentality for the franchise that he has for Cleveland. He didn’t get choked up. He didn’t wax poetic about his time in Miami. Also, it’s going to take a while for the Heat to figure things out and become contenders in the East. Considering James is fast-approaching retirement, time is a luxury he doesn’t have.
Comment: James and Antetokounmpo would be an exciting pairing, but I don’t think this is really on the table.
The most successful stop throughout his illustrious career, heading back to South beach would bring closure to James. Tribune News Service via Getty I
Minnesota Timberwolves
Pros: This would be a basketball dream fit for James. Imagine him playing alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels. That team would be so good. James loves Edwards, whom he mentored during the Olympic Games. The two of them would be riffing off of each other in the locker room and creating poetry on the hardwood.
Cons: It’s Minnesota. It’s freezing. It’s wet. That about sums it up.
Comment: There’s no way James is moving to Minnesota. It’s fun to imagine, but this is a nonstarter.
One of the best fits from a personnel standpoint, James joining Anthony Edwards in Minnesota would make them among the title favorites. NBAE via Getty Images
Denver Nuggets
Pros: If there’s one player James doesn’t hesitate to heap praise on besides Curry, it’s Nikola Jokic. After the Nuggets swept the Lakers out of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, James was in awe of Jokic, praising his basketball IQ and literally tipping his hat to him. On his “Mind the Game” podcast, James added that Jokic is the most “dominant, complete player” he has played against.
Cons: James has no history with the Nuggets. Narratives are important to him. Would he really join Jokic’s team in what would potentially be his final season? Nah.
Comment: It would be fun in theory, but it ain’t happening.
Arguably the two best offensive minds in the game on same team, James and Nikola Jokic would be thrilling every night. Denver Post via Getty Images
Honorable mention: San Antonio Spurs
Pros: If James were prioritizing winning his fifth championship above all else, he should go to San Antonio. Led by the 7-foot-4 phenom Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs skyrocketed past their expectations this season, reaching the NBA Finals. But they lacked something very important: Someone with championship experience who could lead them in crunch time. They had double-digit leads in each of their four losses before making last-second mistakes that had major repercussions. James would be the perfect antidote to those mental collapses. He’d be surrounded by young guns. But San Antonio just signed Tobias Harris to a two-year, $31 million deal, all but closing the door on that opportunity.
Cons: Before the Harris signing, this was fun to think about. The idea of a real-life passing of the torch from James to Wembanyama would’ve been fascinating to witness.
Comment: Oh, well. It was fun to think about for three seconds.
Jalen Brunson and “the starting lineup for the Knicks” have been invited to the power couple’s wedding on Friday in New York, Page Six reported.
Along with Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns were invited to the nuptials at the World’s Most Famous Arena.
Jalen Brunson was invited to the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding at MSG. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
There are expected to be at least 1,000 guests at the wedding Friday, one day after the pop star and Chiefs tight end have a rehearsal dinner at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden.
Swift and the Knicks are plenty familiar with each other, as the “Welcome to New York” singer took in the Knicks’ historic 29-point comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. It was Anunoby whose flying tip-in in the waning seconds sealed the victory over the Spurs.
Swift, who wore a blue and orange “Stevie Knicks” T-shirt, was sitting courtside on Celebrity Row with fellow singers Este Haim and Alana Haim and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” actress Mariska Hargitay as the Knicks improbably rallied to win their third game of the Finals.
Kelce, a Cavaliers fan who attended the Eastern Conference finals in Cleveland with Swift, was not in attendance for the comeback.
Singer Taylor Swift on Celebrity Row during the second quarter of NBA Finals Game 4. Charles Wenzelberg / New York PostTaylor Swift and Travis Kelce are seen on May 16, 2026 in New York City. GC Images
Este Haim revealed it was Swift who invited her and her sister to the Finals game.
“Taylor invited me and Alana. I’ve never sat courtside ever, so it was a magical experience,” Este Haim told Variety in mid-June. “I’ve never heard the Garden be that loud in my life. It was amazing. I had the best time.”
The Haim sisters, along with Hargitay, are among the other high-profile guests invited to the big bash, according to Page Six.
Some of Kelce’s Chiefs teammates are expected to attend. Three-time Super Bowl-winning coach Andy Reid was among those invited.
If James came on board, the hope would presumably be that he’d boost the Sixers’ playmaking, versatility and veteran knowhow as the team pushed for an NBA championship. James made his 22nd consecutive All-Star Game last season and averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds. He’s one of the sport’s all-time greats and nowhere near the typical player his age.
Jones wrote that “the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are also considered among the frontrunners for James’ services.”
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 28: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics looks on during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers during Round One Game Five of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2026 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Jaylen Brown — the Celtics’ 2024 Finals MVP and 5-time All-Star selection — has officially ended his tenure in Boston. Brown has been traded to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Paul George, two first-round picks, and two second-round picks.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the picks are: a 2028 first-round pick that could convert from a first to a swap that is more favorable to Boston, a 2031 unprotected Philadelphia first, 2028 second round, most favorable of GSW/OKC/MIL, and 2030 second round, most favorable of WAS/PORT/PHX.
CLARIFICATION ON PICKS: According to MassLive’s Brian Robb, the 2028 first round pick is the better of the 76ers’ and Clippers’ picks and not a pick swap as previously reported.
BLOCKBUSTER: The Boston Celtics have agreed to trade Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers for Paul George, two first-round picks and two second-round picks, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/xNcNlIV2mh
Brown is coming off the best season of his career, in which he averaged 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, while shooting 47.7% from the field. He finished 6th in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the second time in his career.
Paul George is coming off a season in which he appeared in 37 games and averaged 17.3 points and 3.6 assists, shooting 43.9% from the field and 39.2% from three. In the playoffs, he averaged 16.4 points per game, shooting 45.3% from the field and 49.3% from three.
This story will be updated as more information is available.
Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts.
After lots of speculation, Jaylen Brown has been traded.
The Celtics deal the five-time All-Star to the 76ers for Paul George and two first-round picks and two second-round picks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday.
Brown is coming off his best season in the NBA, averaging 28.7 points per game, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists over 71 games, delivering as Boston’s top option while Jayson Tatum recovered from his Achilles tear for most of the season.
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the First Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoff at TD Garden on April 28, 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts. Getty Images
Despite the production this year, Brown has been rumored to be a part of multiple trade packages so far this offseason, with Charania reporting the Celtics were actively shopping him around during the NBA draft.
According to ESPN, the Celtics offered Brown and two unprotected first-round picks for Antetokounmpo.
“Jaylen Brown is a big part of us,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said in late June. “I’m never going to predict the future. Every indication, everything I think about, over the last few years, has been building around those guys.
“You never know. But at the same time, the one thing I want to make very clear is how valued he’s always been. He’s been amazing. He’s been an amazing teammate and a great person to be around.”
Shortly after Stevens left the door open for Brown’s exit, Brian Robb of MassLive reported that the Timberwolves had been in talks with the Celtics about the guard before acquiring LaMelo Ball.
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown drives to the basket against Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George. Boston Globe via Getty Images
Brown was also shopped around by Boston in 2022, as the Celtics offered him in a package deal to the Nets for Kevin Durant.
He now joins his second NBA team after 10 years with the Celtics. The 76ers finished seventh in the Eastern Conference this past season but rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the first round of the playoffs to beat the Celtics. Philadelphia was then swept by the Knicks in the East semifinals.
The Worldwide Leader reported that while the Celtics shopped Brown, the star never requested a trade out of Beantown.
Brown has three seasons left on his five-year, $285,393,640 contract.
The Celtics get a nine-time All-Star in George, who has played in just 78 games the past two seasons combined, averaging 16.7 points and 5.3 rebounds. He has a $54 million cap hit this season and a $56 million hit in 2027-28 if he picks up his player option.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 26: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second half against the Houston Rockets in Game Four of the First Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Utah Jazz signed Jaxson Hayes to a two-year $12 million deal, according to Tim MacMahon.
Source: The Jazz are signing former Lakers center Jaxson Hayes to a two-year, $12 million deal. The second season is a team option.
The second year is a team option, meaning Utah can release him after this upcoming season if they want.
The Hayes signing makes sense, as Utah now needs center depth after the Walker Kessler trade. Hayes played 66 games last season for the Lakers and started in 9 of them. He averaged 18 minutes per game while shooting 75% from the field, with 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks. As of now, Hayes likely becomes the backup center behind Jusuf Nurkic if the Jazz decide to start Nurkic. But Hayes feels like he’s more of a third center on a good team.
The off-court issues are the biggest concern with Hayes, who has had domestic violence allegations in the past. We haven’t heard from the Jazz front office about those issues, but the Lakers have discussed those issues before. You can read about that here.
We can only hope that those things are behind Hayes and that he has changed his life after some harrowing details of his past were revealed.
In terms of basketball alone, Utah now has a center who can fill the void left by Walker Kessler. Hayes gives the Jazz flexibility in potential future trades, especially with his team option on his second year, while also keeping the Jazz cap low as they prepare for a future contract for Keyone George.
This is also probably a reflection of the Ainge’s view of centers. They might not think putting money into the center position is worth it unless you have a franchise-caliber player. Utah obviously didn’t think Kessler was at that level and can now fill gaps with moves like this.
After failing to deal him during their foray into the Giannis Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, the Boston Celtics have agreed to a blockbuster trade that ships star forward Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for veteran Paul George, two first-round draft picks and two second-round selections, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly comment on the matter.
The picks in the deal include a 2028 first rounder that would turn into a pick swap if that turns out to be more favorable for the Celtics and an unprotected first rounder in the 2031 draft. The second-round picks are in 2028 and 2030.
This is a clear signal that Philadelphia is looking to elevate itself into a championship contender in the East. The Sixers have made the playoffs eight of the last nine years but haven't advanced past the second round over that span. And with center Joel Embiid at 32 years old, Philadelphia’s window to win with the 2022-23 Most Valuable Player is winding down.
With Brown, the 76ers now have a three-headed force on offense with Embiid, Brown and two-time All-Star Tyrese Maxey, whose 28.3 points per game last season ranked fifth in the league — just 0.4 points per game behind Brown.
The Sixers have seen other teams in the East beef up, including the Heat acquiring Antetokounmpo, so this trade indicates that they feel they are among the top teams in the conference. Philadelphia also signed free agent Dean Wade, and VJ Edgecombe shined in his rookie season.
George’s contract had been rather cumbersome and the Sixers are able to both offload it and bring back a younger, more talented player in Brown. George is due $54.1 million next season and has a $56.6 million player option for 2027-28.
The deal also breaks up the nine-year partnership of Brown and Jayson Tatum as the faces of the franchise and presents something of a new era in Boston. The Celtics appear to be building more toward the future, but with Tatum in his prime at 28 years old, the trade of Brown is dissonant with the timeline to win now.
Brown was stellar for Boston this season, most of which was played without fellow star Tatum, who missed the first five months of the campaign recovering from his ruptured Achilles tendon suffered deep in the 2025 playoffs.
Brown averaged career-highs in points (28.7) and assists (5.1), while tying his career mark in rebounds (6.9), as the Celtics exceeded external expectations en route to a 56-26 record and the No. 2 seed in the East.
Boston raced out to a 3-1 series lead in the first round of the playoffs against the 76ers but lost three consecutive games to crash out.
That early exit led to several weeks of angst and uncertainty as the franchise weighed its future and roster construction. Despite Boston being just two years removed from an NBA championship, president of basketball operations Brad Stevens clearly felt the team was not built to compete for another title.
The Celtics engaged with the Milwaukee Bucks for Antetokounmpo but lost out to the Heat, who offered a blend of young players and draft capital. Brown was a significant part of those discussions and was eventually dangled out in trade talks.
Later, Stevens had called Brown integral to the team’s identity and culture, but he stopped short of reaffirming his future with the franchise.
"Jaylen Brown is a big part of us," Stevens said on June 24. "I’m never going to predict the future. Every indication, everything I think about over the last few years, has been building around those guys. You never know.
"But at the same time, the one thing I want to make very clear is how valued he has always been. He has been amazing. He has been an amazing teammate and a great person to be around."
Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP, is a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA selection.
Tobias Harris #12 of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball up court during the first half of Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Spurs are bolstering their depth on the wing.
San Antonio and forward Tobias Harris agreed to a two-year, $31 million contract on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, adding a veteran presence to its young roster after falling short in the NBA Finals.
Harris, who turns 34 later this month, served as a valuable role player for the Pistons over the last two seasons after coming over from the 76ers during the summer of 2024.
Last season, Harris averaged 13.3 points per game on 46.9 percent shooting and 36.8 percent from 3-point land for Detroit, which went 60-22 during the regular season before falling in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Cavaliers.
Tobias Harris of the Detroit Pistons celebrates during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers during Round 2 Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs on May 13, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NBAE via Getty Images
Harris played some of his best basketball during the Pistons’ playoff run, scoring 20 points in eight straight games at one point, before losing minutes during Detroit’s final two games against Cleveland.
He joins a San Antonio frontline that, aside from Victor Wembanyama, looked small at times during the Finals against the Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns, Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby.
The Tennessee product’s ability to get hot from beyond the arc should also provide the Spurs, who were roughly average from deep last season, shooting 35.9 percent on 37.9 attempts per game, with some more offensive punch.
Harris will compete for minutes with wings Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Keldon Johnson and Harrison Barnes.
Tobias Harris of the Detroit Pistons brings the ball up court during the first half of Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena on May 11, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. Getty Images
The Harris addition is the first in what has been a relatively quiet offseason thus far for the Spurs.
Earlier this week, San Antonio brought back Barnes on a one-year deal for $8 million in one of their few moves to date this summer.
The Pistons’ loss of Harris adds to what has been an offseason of turnover for the franchise.
Detroit traded away big man Isaiah Stewart to Memphis while bringing in Isaiah Joe in a trade with the Thunder and signing John Collins in free agency.
Raphielle Johnson
