{"id":203630,"date":"2026-07-04T05:53:04","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T09:53:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=203630"},"modified":"2026-07-04T05:54:52","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T09:54:52","slug":"lebron-james-fa-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/07\/04\/lebron-james-fa-news\/","title":{"rendered":"LeBron James Cuts Wish List Down to 6, 10-Year NBA Vet Returns to League, Knicks Have 2 Open Roster Spots After Signing Backup Center"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Day 3 of NBA free agency is in the books, and movement remained the theme. Here is a look at some <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2024\/03\/07\/nba-news-minnesota-timberwolves-star-suffers-devastating-injury\/\" target=\"_self\">NBA news<\/a> and happenings, including <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/j\/jamesle01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeBron James<\/a> revealing the six teams he is still considering in 2026-27.<\/p>\n<h3>LeBron James Cuts Wish List Down to 6, 10-Year NBA Vet Returns to League<\/h3>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOB32zVYcCF\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 6640px; aspect-ratio: 6640\/4429;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<h3>Timberwolves Are Looking To Make Another Offseason Splash<\/h3>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lylestr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trey Lyles<\/a> is returning to the NBA. Lyles and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/timberwolves\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> have agreed to a one-year, $3.8 million deal, per Michael Scotto of Hoophype.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Minnesota Timberwolves continue to hope LeBron James will choose them in free agency, sources say. They&#8217;ll keep a spot open. They view Trey Lyles as a floor-spacing big who shot 43% on 3-pointers for Real Madrid. Octagon&#8217;s Alex Saratsis did Lyles&#8217; deal <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kWcLaO4j6L\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/kWcLaO4j6L<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MikeAScotto\/status\/2073129821823971360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 3, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Minnesota has 13 players under contract for the upcoming season, with a salary cap hit of $215.54 million, meaning 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBUBqgyPeh\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 4123px; aspect-ratio: 4123\/2749;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<p>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&#8217; agent, Rich Paul, recently saying that 27 of the Association&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">LeBron James will be making his free agent decision between the following six NBA teams, per <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ShamsCharania?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@ShamsCharania<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Cavaliers<br \/>\n&#8211; Heat<br \/>\n&#8211; Nuggets<br \/>\n&#8211; Sixers<br \/>\n&#8211; Timberwolves<br \/>\n&#8211; Warriors <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8TZUznD5wL\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/8TZUznD5wL<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Fullcourtpass\/status\/2073248565128790191?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>James&#8217; list isn&#8217;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&#8217;t going to return to the Lakers. His connections to those three teams are obvious and well-documented.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking of the Timberwolves, they believe they have a real shot at signing him, according to The Athletic&#8217;s Jon Krawczynski.<\/p>\n<p><span>&#8220;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\u00a0<\/span>The Athletic<em>,&#8221;<\/em> <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7420800\/2026\/07\/03\/lebron-james-timberwolves-free-agent-rich-paul\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Krawczynski said<\/a><em>. <\/em>&#8220;The Timberwolves have been in contact with James\u2019 representatives with a bold pitch: team up with<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/e\/edwaran01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Anthony Edwards<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/ballla01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LaMelo Ball<\/a>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcdanja02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaden McDaniels<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/goberru01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rudy Gobert<\/a> to go after the kind of championship that could end any discussion about who is the greatest player of all time.<\/p>\n<h3>Andre Drummond Heads To The Big Apple<\/h3>\n<p>The New York Knicks have found their backup center. The Knicks signed <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/drumman01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andre Drummond<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Andre Drummond is getting the veteran minimum. He will receive $3.9 million but count as $2.4 million.<\/p>\n<p>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. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Fi6nzNiYCn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/Fi6nzNiYCn<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cKYYCsqzi4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/cKYYCsqzi4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Third Apron (@ThirdApron) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ThirdApron\/status\/2073198946806284599?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Drummond replaces <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/r\/robinmi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mitchell Robinson<\/a>, who <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/07\/01\/mitchell-robinson\/\" target=\"_self\">bolted for Boston<\/a>, as <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/t\/townska01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Karl-Anthony Towns&#8217;<\/a> primary backup.\u00a0 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&#8217;s seventh team.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Andre Drummond releases a statement thanking the city of Philadelphia and addresses Knicks fans, as well:<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;To the Knicks fans, I know what this city expects, and I&#8217;m ready to embrace it. I&#8217;m coming in with gratitude, hunger, and a mindset to work. Let&#8217;s make this chapter\u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/mYRHZ4lHK7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/mYRHZ4lHK7<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 SNY Knicks (@sny_knicks) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/sny_knicks\/status\/2073242093137301719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 4, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Other News<\/h3>\n<p>The Lakers have re-signed <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/manonch01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chris Manon<\/a> to a two-way contract.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n<p>Lakers rookie guard<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/carrca01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Cameron Carr<\/a> and\u00a0 Warriors rookie forward <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/yaxel-lendeborg-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Yaxel Lendeborg<\/a> showed out in their first NBA Summer League game, a 104-72 win for Golden State in the California Classic.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"LAKERS vs WARRIORS | CALIFORNIA CLASSIC | FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS | July 3, 2026\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/u80qaGISSsU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span>Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Day 3 of NBA free agency is in the books, and movement remained 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3146,"featured_media":203714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,9,25,16,15,21,62,12,3,13],"tags":[341,2109,50462,38,297,394,2154,50389],"class_list":["post-203630","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-cavaliers","category-warriors","category-heat","category-bucks","category-timberwolves","category-nba","category-knicks","category-news","category-76ers","tag-andre-drummond","tag-anthony-edwards","tag-cameron-carr","tag-lebron-james","tag-nba-free-agency","tag-rudy-gobert","tag-trey-lyles","tag-yaxel-lendeborg"],"modified_by":"Daniel Benjamin, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203630","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3146"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=203630"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203630\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":203716,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203630\/revisions\/203716"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/203714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203630"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=203630"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=203630"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}