LeBron James’ free agency is starting to look like a three-team race, at least from the way rival clubs are reading the board.
On a Bleacher Report live stream Friday, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch made the case that Minnesota is the best landing spot for James. Finch also said Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul has not told the Wolves they’re out of the mix for the 22-time All-Star forward, who remains an unrestricted free agent. Several teams are believed to still be involved.
But the latest reporting points more clearly toward the East. During the same stream, Jake Fischer and Marc Stein said James appears to be paying closest attention to Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia rather than Western options.
Stein put it plainly: “ What I do believe, based on actual reporting … is Cleveland, Miami, Philly,” Stein said. “ He is looking at Eastern Conference destinations with much more seriousness (than anticipated before free agency began)…He’s apparently open to going very, very far away from where he’s been for the last eight years.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania echoed that view Saturday during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio. He said teams around the league still think they have a shot and remain in contact with Rich Paul, but the clubs most often mentioned as front-runners are Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia.
“ Every team that’s in it still believes they have a chance and is still engaged with Rich Paul on a daily basis, hourly basis. Cleveland, Miami, Golden State (Warriors), Minnesota, Philadelphia, those are the five teams that I’ve been hearing,” Charania said.
“ … When I talk to other teams, they look at Cleveland a lot, Miami, and Philadelphia. Those are the three teams that others view as strong here.”
Russell Westbrook could end up in Miami too, but only if the Heat strike out on James, according to a league source cited by Stefan Bondy of The New York Post. Bondy also said Cleveland, Miami and Philadelphia are viewed as the leading possibilities for James. Westbrook, a nine-time All-Star and former NBA MVP, played last season for the Kings after two years with James in Los Angeles, and Stein and Fischer had linked him to the Wizards as well.
Elsewhere on the free-agent front, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is in advanced talks with Aris BC in Greece, sources told Stavros Barbarousis of Eurohoops.net. The 25-year-old forward, selected 32nd overall in the 2021 draft, split last season between Indiana and Dallas, appearing in 22 combined games before spending the rest of 2025/26 in the G League. SDNA first reported Aris’ interest.
Stanley Umude is drawing overseas attention too. Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews reported that Barcelona is among the teams interested in the 27-year-old wing, who has two years of NBA experience. Umude spent about two months last season on a two-way deal with San Antonio before being waived in late February, then played primarily for the Austin Spurs in ’25/26.
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It is the sort of rumor that grabs attention because Edwards is the face of the franchise and still young enough to define the next era in Minnesota. But from the Timberwolves side, the logic for moving him is hard to see, especially with the club still positioned as one of the stronger teams in the West and clearly built to keep winning around him. [Read more 🡒]