It’s widely known that LeBron James has a shortlist of teams that he’d be willing to sign with as a free agent for the 2026-27 season.
The teams include the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
There since has been a bevy of rumors and speculation from sports figures, entertainment celebrities and media outlets all inching for the same thing: to find out James’ decision.
There have been trolls fooling fans who want James in their city. James himself has leaned into the trolls, uttering phrases and dropping baseless hints that get fans on the edge of their seats assuming they know where he’s headed.
But truth is, no one knows what the final say will be. James has reportedly narrowed it down to three teams: Cavaliers, Heat and 76ers. The Warriors remain a dark horse in the race.
According to USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes, James has all the information he needs from teams and is now weighing his options.
A decision can come at any point now. Here’s what people are saying in relation to James’ next basketball destination:
ESPN’s Marc J. Spears: Warriors believe getting LeBron is “a longer shot”
07:35 PM ET, July 18 2026, Marcus D. Smith
ESPN senior NBA writer Marc J. Spears reported on NBA Today that the Golden State Warriors think landing LeBron James is a long shot, but the only thing going for them is proximity.
San Francisco is less than two hours, by flight, to Los Angeles. In some cases, it could take 50 minutes to go back and forth. Proximity was one of the things James said he’d factor into his decision because he wants to be close to his wife, Savannah, and daughter, Zhuri.
“They have told me they think it’s a longer shot, but it’s also a shorter flight,” Spears said. “He could be back there in 50 minutes to be back to his daughter’s volleyball game.”
Cleveland radio personality is annoyed with the wait
07:12 PM ET, July 18 2026, Marcus D. Smith
Everyone is waiting on LeBron James to make his final decision to which team he’ll play for next season. It’s been determined that the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat are at the top of James’ destination list.
Anticipation is growing, but so is frustration. People are tired of waiting. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has publicly requested for James to make a decision so the league can set the schedule.
The latest to express their irritation is radio sports host and personality Aaron Goldhammer of ESPN Cleveland.
“Boy is he having fun with this… And boy (Chris) do I find it annoying,” Goldhammer said. “I think I speak on behalf of Cleveland fans when I say this has gotten annoying. This isn’t fun. You’re not dreaming anymore about him coming back and winning a championship and the amount that he loves Cleveland. I don’t know what the heck this guy is gonna do.”
“He is the greatest of all-time, at a bunch of things. But what he’s really the best of all-time at is this. Sucking up every last bit of oxygen in the sports universe and making it all about him,” he added.
06:29 PM ET, July 18 2026, Marcus D. Smith
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson knows his role and plays it well. Maybe he’s feeling himself a bit, and deservingly so. Brunson helped lead the Knicks to their first title in 53 years on his way to earning a Finals MVP.
Coming off that championship, Brunson was one of the many athletes in New York City for Fanatics Fest. He made an appearance on a live recording of Night Cap with Shannon Sharpe, Joe Johnson and Chad “OchoCinco” Johnson. Brunson was asked if he’ll make a pitch to lure LeBron James to New York. His response essentially was that it’s not his job.“My job is to put the ball in the hoop. Try and play a little defense,” Brunson said. “There’s people who are above me who determine who’s on the team and who’s not. I’ll leave the pitching to them.”
Timberwolves star not planning for LeBron to join
05:47 PM ET, July 18 2026, Marcus D. Smith
Timberwolves four-time All-Star Anthony Edwards got in on the LeBron James-sweepstakes. It’s kind of hard not to. It’s quite literally the only thing NBA fans are discussing at large, at this point in time.
Edwards gave a pitch to James, in a joking manner. Edwards was hanging out at Fanatics Fest in New York City where he stopped to check out Topps trading cards. He noticed a James card and the pitch began.
“Bron Bron, come to Minnesota. We got your card,” Edwards said.
But in all seriousness, Edwards knows that it’s not happening. In a separate video, Edwards was asked about James’ shortlist and potentially joining the Timberwolves. He shut it down quickly.
“I have nothing to say about it because I’ve seen his top 3 teams, we’re not in it,” Edwards said.
Is Anthony Davis recruiting LeBron to D.C.?
05:46 PM ET, July 18 2026, Marcus D. Smith
Athletes were all over New York City during Fanatics Fest as the fans got to interact with their favorite players from their favorite teams.
One of the latest to get in on the LeBron James sweepstakes was his former teammate Anthony Davis.
Davis, who joined the Wizards in a multi-team blockbuster deal in February 2026, was approached by a “die-hard Washington Wizards fan” who asked him about the chances of James joining Davis in D.C.
“Uhh. Maybe,” Davis said with a wide smile. “We had some conversations.”
James and Davis won a championship together with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020. Davis was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster trade for Luka Doncic in February 2025 and to the Wizards a year later.
It was reported that James and Davis could once again join forces in the Bay Area on the Golden State Warriors, if the Wizards were willing to trade him. Washington has said they do not intend to trade Davis.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: LeBron James next team: Live rumors, updates on decision coming soon
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