LeBron James 76ers free agency decision leaves Harden, Green next

The LeBron James 76ers free agency decision has finally snapped the NBA offseason back into motion. CBS Sports reported that James announced Friday he will join Philadelphia, ending a 24-day wait that had several teams and players stuck in place.

The 76ers had already become a major Eastern Conference story after trading for Jaylen Brown earlier in the summer, according to CBS Sports. James choosing Philadelphia left the Cavaliers, Heat and Warriors without the star they had hoped to land.

CBS Sports reported that the delay affected league business, including work on the 2026-27 schedule. With James in Philadelphia, the Sixers are expected to be a stronger candidate for spotlight dates such as opening night and Christmas Day.

What happens next in NBA free agency?

The first wave should involve James Harden and Draymond Green, two veterans whose contract situations were tied to the James chase. CBS Sports reported that both declined player options and waited while the Warriors and Cavaliers pursued James.

The expectation, according to CBS Sports, is that both players work out long-term deals to stay with their teams. The Athletic reported that Green is expected to sign in the range of $28 million, close to the value of the option he turned down.

Harden is not expected to match the $42.3 million annual value of the option he declined, CBS Sports reported, but a sizable longer deal is still expected. Timing remains part of the puzzle, because keeping those contracts unfinished can give teams more flexibility while they fill rotation spots.

Why are restricted free agents stuck?

Restricted free agency lets a player's current team match an offer sheet from another club. CBS Sports noted that offer sheets have become hard to land because few teams have major cap space, and teams do not want money tied up in an offer that may be matched.

That has left Jalen Duren, Peyton Watson and Bennedict Mathurin as the top remaining restricted free agents, according to CBS Sports. The market had been quiet since Walker Kessler's sign-and-trade to the Lakers.

Duren and the Pistons have been at a standoff since before free agency, CBS Sports reported. Detroit has shown no interest in losing him, and any trade discussion would require more than what the Lakers sent Utah for Kessler, according to the report.

Watson's case is also pricey. CBS Sports reported that the Nuggets are open to sign-and-trade talks, but are seeking a return similar to Utah's haul for Kessler: two unprotected first-round picks and two pick swaps.

Denver also has a decision on Spencer Jones. Shams Charania reported on X that Jones received an offer sheet from the Thunder worth $12 million over two years, and CBS Sports said a Denver decision not to match would increase pressure to retain Watson.

Mathurin remains unsettled with the Clippers, according to CBS Sports. The report said Los Angeles had been viewed as a possible Watson suitor, an awkward wrinkle because Mathurin is its own restricted free agent and was the biggest name acquired in the Ivica Zubac trade.

Which veterans are still out there?

CBS Sports listed Jonathan Kuminga, Bradley Beal, Gabe Vincent, Russell Westbrook, Bruce Brown, Nicolas Batum and Kelly Olynyk among the available veterans who could see more serious talks now that James has chosen a team.

Kuminga has reportedly drawn interest from the Cavaliers and Lakers, with Cleveland looking for wing help after missing on James and losing Dean Wade to Philadelphia, according to CBS Sports. Beal and Vincent were identified as logical Heat targets as Miami looks to add backcourt help around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo.

The Warriors still need veteran support around Stephen Curry and Green, CBS Sports reported. The Nuggets and Timberwolves also have roster work left as they try to keep pace with the Thunder and Spurs in the West.

This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.