Day 3 of NBA free agency is in the books, and movement continued to be the theme Here is a look at some NBA news and happenings, including LeBron James revealing the six teams he is still considering in 2026-27.
LeBron James Cuts Wish List Down to 6, 10-Year NBA Vet Returns to League
Timberwolves Are Looking To Make Another Offseason Splash
Trey Lyles is returning to the NBA. Lyles and the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a one-year, $3.8 million deal, per Michael Scotto of Hoophype.
The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to hope LeBron James will choose them in free agency, sources say. They’ll keep a spot open. They view Trey Lyles as a floor-spacing big who shot 43% on 3-pointers for Real Madrid. Octagon’s Alex Saratsis did Lyles’ deal https://t.co/kWcLaO4j6L
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 3, 2026
Lyles averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 74 appearances for Real Madrid. Lyles also made 1.4 threes with a shooting splits 0f 49.6/42.8/78.0. He produced three double-doubles and scored 20-plus points on 11 occassions. It was the most productive season of his 11-year career.
Lyles is a low-risk signee who fills a specific role for the Timberwolves as a stretch-4. Lyles is a competent defender who can guard both 4s and 5s while occasionally switching onto small forwards. He projects as a veteran depth frontcourt piece seeing spot minutes at both power forward and center.
Before playing his lone season in Europe, Lyles spent 10 seasons in the NBA. The 2015 N0. 12 pick began his career in Utah, where he spent two seasons. He also played for Denver, San Antonio, Detroit and Sacramento.
Minnesota has 13 players under contract for the upcoming season, with a salary cap hit of $215.54 million, which means that the Timberwolves are less than $6 million from being hardcapped at the second apron. Therefore, the Wolves will enter the season with 14 players on standard contracts.
Speaking of the last roster spot, the Timberwolves have left that open for LeBron James. James is the biggest name left on the open market and has been linked to several teams, with James’ agent, Rich Paul, recently saying that 27 of the Association’s 3o clubs have reached out. However, James is reportedly down to six teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Golden State Warriors.
LeBron James will be making his free agent decision between the following six NBA teams, per @ShamsCharania
– Cavaliers
– Heat
– Nuggets
– Sixers
– Timberwolves
– Warriors pic.twitter.com/8TZUznD5wL— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 4, 2026
James’ list isn’t that surprising. The Cavaliers, Heat, and Warriors have been considered the favorites to land the 41-year-old since before free agency began, if he wasn’t going to return to the Lakers. His connections to those three teams are obvious and well-documented.
It is a little surprising that the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Sixers are still in the running. However, each of those three teams made late pitches to James.
Speaking of the Timberwolves, they believe they have a real shot at signing him, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski.
“The Minnesota Timberwolves have ramped up their push for LeBron James, with full belief that they are very much in the hunt to land one of the greatest players in NBA history, league sources told The Athletic,” Krawczynski said. “The Timberwolves have been in contact with James’ representatives with a bold pitch: team up with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert to go after the kind of championship that could end any discussion about who is the greatest player of all time.
Andre Drummond Heads To The Big Apple
The New York Knicks have found their backup center. The Knicks signed Andre Drummond to a one-year, $3.9 million veteran minimum deal, though only $2.4 million will count against the cap. The Knicks now have 12 players under contract, with a salary cap hit exceeding $215.54 million.
Andre Drummond is getting the veteran minimum. He will receive $3.9 million but count as $2.4 million.
The Knicks are $6.2 million below the second apron. They could stay under it and reach the 14 player minimum with two more veteran minimum signings. https://t.co/Fi6nzNiYCn pic.twitter.com/cKYYCsqzi4
— Third Apron (@ThirdApron) July 4, 2026
Drummond replaces Mitchell Robinson, who bolted for Boston, as Karl-Anthony Towns’ primary backup. Drummond is not the player he once was, but he is still a high-quality rebounder and rim-protector. The Knicks are the 32-year-old’s seventh team.
Andre Drummond releases a statement thanking the city of Philadelphia and addresses Knicks fans, as well:
“To the Knicks fans, I know what this city expects, and I’m ready to embrace it. I’m coming in with gratitude, hunger, and a mindset to work. Let’s make this chapter… pic.twitter.com/mYRHZ4lHK7
— SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) July 4, 2026
Other News
The Lakers have re-signed Chris Manon to a two-way contract. Manon spent most of the season with the South Bay Lakers, though he saw 46 minutes over nine appearances in the NBA. He is currently playing for the Lakers Summer League team, tallying eight points on 4 of 4 shooting last night.
Lakers rookie guard Cameron Carr and Warriors rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg showed out in their first NBA Summer League game, a 104-72 win for Golden State in the California Classic. Carr led the Lakers with 19 points on 7 of 15 shooting, including 5 of 7 from the 3-point line. Meanwhile, Lendeborg demonstrated his efficiency and all-around game with 19 points on 6-of-6 shooting, including 4-of-4 from the 3-point line, along with six assists and five boards.
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
