Basketball Wiretap

LeBron James still had not announced a decision on his next team, 24 days after confirming he would not return to the Los Angeles Lakers fort he 2026-27 season. A source close to James offered a candid assessment of the situation.

"Nobody knows right now except LeBron," the source told The Athletic. "And I'm not even sure LeBron knows."

The prolonged wait has left the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves and Philadelphia 76ers all in limbo as they wait to see whether James will sign or whether they need to pivot toward strengthening their rosters elsewhere. James addressed the timeline last Thursday during an appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York.

"I won't hold you guys up too much longer," said James.

James' agent, Rich Paul, has said he has already communicated everything necessary to the five teams considered front-runners for James' services. Paul addressed his approach during an appearance on his own podcast this week.

"Is there anything more we should be doing? We could be doing?" said Paul. "No. We don't need you to go above and beyond about anything. We understand it. It's clear. All the messages have been sent."

Speculation has continued to swirl in the absence of concrete information, including reports of a since-deleted Heat YouTube link referencing a July 27 press conference, which the team described as an honest mistake. Sources close to James also dismissed rumors that he had reversed a prior decision, calling those claims false.

Only two teams have made roster moves directly tied to pursuing James. Warriors forward Draymond Green, also represented by Paul, declined his player option in late June in coordination with Golden State's front office to create flexibility for potentially signing James and trading for Anthony Davis. Sources said there were no guarantees attached to that move. Meanwhile, James Harden has remained unsigned as part of a plan to preserve Cleveland's ability to sign James, a strategy Harden has publicly confirmed as the team's goal.

Jordan Walsh and the Boston Celtics have agreed to a three-year, $16 million contract extension. The deal will begin with the 2027-28 season as the Celtics previously picked up their 2026-27 option on him in June. Walsh is represented by Ramon Sessions. 

Walsh appeared in 68 games last season with the Celtics, averaging 5.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 68 minutes.

Walsh was the 38th overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Arkansas.

Walsh is now signed through 2030 and joins Neemias Queta with a multi-year extension this offseason with the Celtics. 

The Los Angeles Clippers are looking to re-sign Bennedict Mathurin, sources told Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

The Clippers could also sign-and-trade Mathurin, but are more likely to bring him back next season.

Mathurin averaged 17.4 points and 5.5 rebounds last season for the Clippers. 

D'Angelo Russell and the Memphis Grizzlies are expected to work towards a buyout agreement or a trade.

Russell was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Grizzlies this offseason. Russell never appeared in a game with the Wizards.

Russell opted into the final season of his contract in June worth $6 million.

Emanuel Miller has been waived by the San Antonio Spurs from his two-way. Miller joined the Spurs on a two-way in February. The Spurs signed David Jones Garcia to a two-way using Miller's spot.

Miller appeared in six Summer League games with the Spurs and averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 25.6 minutes.

Miller appeared in five games last season with the Chicago Bulls, averaging 3.0 points in 6.6 minutes. 

Chip Engelland has agreed to become an assistant coach with the Houston Rockets under Ime Udoka. Engelland spent the last four seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder after previously being part of the San Antonio Spurs for 17 seasons.

Engelland is known as one of the NBA's leading shooting coaches.

Engelland and Udoka worked together as part of the Spurs' coaching staff.

The Atlanta Hawks will not immediately pursue contract extension talks with Lu Dort, sources told Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Dort is entering the final year of current deal worth nearly $18 million.

It has been noted by multiple executives around the league that the Hawks have several mid-tier salaries they could flip for a star.

Jonathan Kuminga is also reportedly open to a short-term deal with the Hawks. The Hawks could sign-and-trade Kuminga, but they will be choosy as to what team they trade with. 

The New Orleans Pelicans are exploring the trade market for Jordan Hawkins, sources told Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

The Grizzlies are reportedly interested in Hawkins.

Hawkins averaged 5.1 points and 1.7 rebounds last season.

The Pelicans continue to turn down trade interest for Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones.

The Cleveland Cavaliers have registered interest in Mario Hezonja, sources told Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Hezonja is expected to rejoin the NBA from Real Madrid next season.

With the Cavs still in the running to sign LeBron James, Jonathan Kuminga is also rumored as a fallback option should James sign elsewhere. 

Four-star senior Oneal Delancy announced his commitment to Houston on Wednesday.

Delancy is the No. 40 recruit in the 2027 class. 

"Coach [Kelvin ]Sampson is very intense and passionate about the game, and you can see it in his practices. He is exactly what I was looking for in a coach," Delancy told ESPN.

Delancy is the Cougars' first commit for 2027.

The Cougars had the No. 22 class for 2026.