Basketball Wiretap

There is a "growing belief" from people around the league that LeBron James will sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

There are whispers that the Cavs are delaying offseason transactions, like signing a new deal with James Harden, because they want to have open roster spots in case they need to trade for Bronny James.

Rich Paul previously cited the Cavs as a potential landing spot for James on his "Game Over" podcast. 

It was reported late Friday night at the Wolves have also increased their efforts to sign James. 

The Sixers and Nuggets also believe they still have a chance to land James.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have "ramped up" their efforts to sign LeBron James, sources told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

The Wolves believe that they are in the running to land James, and are also the best situation for the 41-year-old.

The Wolves are pitching James on the idea of teaming up with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert to help win Minnesota's first men's professional sports title since the Twins in 1991.

The team is arguing that James winning a title with the Wolves, who have never won a championship, would solidify him as the greatest player of all time.

Rich Paul mentioned the Wolves as a possible landing spot for James on his "Game Over" podcast. 

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly interested in Kevon Looney and Jonas Valanciunas, sources told Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

The Lakers are looking to add another wing and a big man in free agency.

With Rui Hachimura not expected to return to the team, the Lakers are linked with a move for Jonathan Kuminga. 

The Nuggets are looking to move Valanciunas, whom the Lakers previously attempted to sign two years ago.

Valanciunas' $10 million deal can be reduced to $2 million if he is waived by July 8. 

Josh Okogie and the Utah Jazz have agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal. Okogie is represented by Calvin Andrews. 

The Jazz are planning on competing for a playoff spot after several years of rebuilding. 

Okogie appeared in 78 games last season with the Houston Rockets, averaging 4.5 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 38.5 percent on three-pointers.

Okogie will be in his age-28 season in 2026-27. 

Andre Drummond has agreed to a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the New York Knicks. Drummond will replace Mitchell Robinson as the Knicks' backup center behind Karl-Anthony Towns. Drummond, similar to Robinson, has long been one of the NBA's best rebounders.

Drummond received interest in free agency from the Los Angeles Lakers and other teams.

Drummond spent the past two seasons with the Philadelphia 76ers. Last season, Drummond averaged 6.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19.5 minutes across 63 games.

The Los Angeles Lakers have agreed to trade Deandre Ayton to the Washington Wizards for Jaden Hardy and two second round picks.

Ayton is on an $8.4 million contract for the 2026-27 season, while Hardy's deal is worth $6 million.

Ayton appeared in 72 games with the Lakers, averaging 12.5 points and 8.0 rebounds in 27.2 minutes.

Hardy appeared in 57 total games last season with the Dallas Mavericks and Wizards, averaging 9.2 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 15.8 minutes. Hardy previously was teammates with Luka Doncic.

The Lakers will look at options on the veteran's minimum to be backup center such as Jonas Valanciunas, Andre Drummond and Kevon Looney.

Rich Paul outlined ten possible landing spots for LeBron James on Friday, three days after James informed the Los Angeles Lakers he intends to sign elsewhere.

Paul broke down the options during an episode of his "Game Over" podcast alongside Max Kellerman, using a whiteboard to weigh advantages and drawbacks for each franchise. Paul told ESPN he has now spoken with 27 teams regarding James.

The Klutch Sports founder named the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs as possibilities.

"Every day things change," said Paul, to ESPN. "This is the first time that LeBron James is making a decision pressure-free. He's won already. He's made good on his promise, he won in L.A. This is strictly for his happiness. What does happiness entail? It's a number of things. It's a bucket of happiness. It's basketball, it's living, it's camaraderie, it's competition. It's everything."

Paul highlighted Philadelphia's roster, built around Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid.

"Philadelphia, everything changed," said Paul. "How could you not have his attention when you have Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown and Embiid?

"He loves Maxey, so we don't even have to talk about that. I think V.J., he helps V.J. understand really how to play the game.

"Obviously, Jaylen Brown. Embiid is health and habits. The health and habits of Embiid are there. He enhances everything there. He unlocks everything there."

On the Cavaliers, Paul cited Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen alongside the front office.

"Mitchell, Harden, Mobley, Allen. Dan and Grant, which is the Gilberts. Plus Koby, he was there when LeBron won there," said Paul. "Big, big, big X factor, let me talk to you about Brandon Weems.

"Brandon Weems is basically LeBron's brother. Now, he worked his own way up, nobody gave him anything. He's earned to be in the front office of the Cavs. But that is a big feather in the cap for Cleveland, because of Brandon Weems."

Paul categorized the Knicks as unlikely, calling a reunion too risky given New York's championship last month.

"It's difficult, because the last thing you want to do is mess up something like that," said Paul. "The Knicks have a good thing going. If the Knicks hadn't had won, this wouldn't even be a question. There would be no board. He'd be going to the Knicks."

Paul added the Warriors remain in play after Draymond Green restructured his contract.

"You see Steph and Dray," said Paul. "Don't forget about Steph and Dray."

Sources tell ESPN that the Spurs are not considered a potential team for James to join this offseason.

Garrett Temple accepted an offer to join Dusty May's coaching staff with the Dallas Mavericks as an assistant, according to Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Temple appeared in 22 games for the Raptors last season.

Temple joins Willie Green as an assistant on May's staff.

FC Barcelona's Nikola Kusturica has reportedly committed to UCLA after receiving a $12 million NIL deal.

The 17-year-old was attracting interest from several college programs.

Kusturica is averaging 22.0 points and 6.8 rebounds in six games for Serbia at the FIBA U17 World Championship.

Kusturica made his Liga ACB debut for Barcelona in October 2025, becoming the youngest player to appear for the team in the competition.

The Golden State Warriors have faded as one of the favorites to possibly sign LeBron James in free agency as their case appears to be dependent on a possible trade with the Washington Wizards for Anthony Davis. The Warriors haven't gained any traction with the Wizards and appear to be preferring to keep Jimmy Butler, who would need to be included in a deal for Davis.

While the thought of James teaming up with Stephen Curry has received widespread approval on the basketball side of the equation, they would not be considered legitimate title contenders based on the current state of the roster.

"The Warriors, going into free agency, dreamt up a grand plan of Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, and LeBron James," said Shams Charania on Friday. "But the big domino with them is trying to get a player like an Anthony Davis, so you can bring in LeBron James and Anthony Davis as a package deal. Short of that, they're not really looked at right now at the top of this list, but things can change."

Rich Paul, who represents both James and Davis, met with the Wizards last weekend to discuss the future of Davis with the franchise. The Wizards acquired Davis from the Dallas Mavericks at the trade deadline and he has yet to play a game for the team.

The Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat have been considered the other two most probable teams, but the Philadelphia 76es have emerged following their trade for Jaylen Brown.