LeBron James’ free agency ended with him landing in Philadelphia, but one of the bigger surprises in the process was the team that never made the cut: San Antonio.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James worked from a shortlist that included the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Sixers. The Spurs, despite reaching the Finals last season, were not among the options. That raised eyebrows because James has repeatedly spoken highly of Victor Wembanyama and the franchise’s future.
The admiration between the two stars has been public for a while. James has called Wemby a generational talent more than once, and Wembanyama has said the four-time champion is one of the smartest players he studies. On paper, the fit looked obvious: a veteran chasing a fifth ring alongside a young team that had already shown it could go deep into the postseason.
San Antonio’s run last season only added to the intrigue. The Spurs battled through a grueling seven-game series to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals before falling to the New York Knicks. James, meanwhile, was watching from home after the Thunder swept him 4-0 in the second round.
Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul addressed the decision on the “Game Over” podcast and said the Spurs situation was similar to the Knicks.
Paul explained, “It’s similar to the Knicks these are two teams that finished last two teams in the season. Spurs were the runner up.
And when you have a guy like Wemby you have to respect his growth, his position on the Spurs. It’s not easy LeBron James shows up it just doesn’t matter who you are.”
Paul’s point was simple: Wembanyama is already the centerpiece. At 22, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is the engine behind a Finals team, and dropping an aging, ball-dominant star like James into that setup could have changed the balance of what was already working. The ball would have had to move differently, and Wembanyama’s role would have shifted.
In other words, this wasn’t about James lacking respect for San Antonio. It was about not stepping into the middle of a young star’s rise. Paul’s explanation suggested the same thinking applied to the Knicks, too.
In Other News...
Knicks Finally Have A Real Answer To Their Backup Center Problem
The Knicks have addressed one of the quieter but more important roster questions of the summer by adding a true backup center with a clear job description. Andre Drummond is coming in to give the second unit a physical presence, one built around rebounding, rim protection and keeping the defense steady when the starters sit.
For a team that has spent plenty of time sorting through frontcourt fit, the appeal is less about chasing another scorer and more about defining roles. New York is betting that clarity matters here, with Drummond asked to do the rugged work inside and help preserve the identity the Knicks want to carry through every stretch of the game. [Read more 🡒]
Knicks Just Got A Troubling Clue About Pacome Dadiet's Trade Value
The Knicks are still weighing ways to clear roster and financial room, and Pacme Dadiet has emerged as one of the names that could be moved if they decide to reshuffle the back end of the roster. The idea is straightforward enough: Dadiet is young, inexpensive and still largely unproven, which makes him a logical candidate if New York wants to create flexibility for a more useful piece in the frontcourt.
The catch is that the market may not be as friendly as the Knicks would like. A recent move involving Johni Broome showed that even a player with limited NBA mileage can require a second-round pick to get dealt, and Dadiets own uneven early track record only adds to the uncertainty around his value. If New York does find a taker, the payoff would be the chance to open room for a more playable veteran or a more experienced third center, but the price to make that happen may be higher than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Josh Hart And Draymond Green Clash Over Jalen Brunson's Sacrifice
Josh Hart helped stir up an old NBA debate this week by resurfacing a clip of Draymond Green taking aim at Jalen Brunsons decision to take less money on his Knicks extension. Hart, a champion himself, pushed back on the idea that players should be criticized for making a team-friendly choice, and the exchange put Brunsons sacrifice back in the spotlight at a time when New Yorks roster is built around that kind of buy-in.
Brunsons 2024 extension was a major pay cut from what he could have waited for, but it also gave the Knicks the flexibility to keep building around him. Moves such as the O.G. Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns deals, along with other additions, were part of the path that made the roster stronger, which is why the discussion still resonates in New York. Harts decision to reopen it shows how much that contract continues to mean inside the locker room, even if the argument around it is far from settled. [Read more 🡒]