Warriors see LeBron chase tilting east as Sixers keep dialing
ESPN reported Golden State views itself as a LeBron James long shot while Philadelphia players continue their recruiting push.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
The LeBron James sweepstakes has a new mood in Golden State: long shot.
Andscape's Marc J. Spears said on ESPN's “NBA Today” that the Warriors internally view themselves as an underdog in their pursuit of James, with the belief that the 41-year-old star is more likely to head to the Eastern Conference.
James is the biggest name still hanging over the NBA offseason after informing the Los Angeles Lakers he does not plan to return for the 2026-27 season, according to ESPN. The summer has already included major movement involving Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown, and James' next stop remains the loudest question in the room.
Sixers players take the lead
Philadelphia has kept up its pitch to James through its own stars, ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported, citing league sources.
According to that report, Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and Jaylen Brown have all been in contact with James, with Maxey taking the most active role. Maxey, 25, shares Klutch Sports representation with James and has trained with him in recent offseasons, ESPN reported.
Bob Myers, president of Harris Blitzer Sports and Entertainment, which owns the 76ers, also made a public case for Philadelphia during an appearance on the “Game Over” podcast, hosted by Max Kellerman and Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, James' agent. Myers said he would tell James that Philadelphia gives him his best chance to win, while noting James would have to weigh other priorities too.
Warriors stars make their case
Golden State has not been quiet. ESPN's Anthony Slater reported on “SportsCenter” that Warriors players are among the few people in the process with direct access to James.
Slater said Draymond Green has been pitching James while on vacation, and that Stephen Curry has also been in contact. Slater added that part of Curry's appeal centers on the history-making potential of a James-Curry partnership.
Green also acknowledged he made a pitch. Speaking about his relationship with James, Green said he would have missed an opportunity if he spent days with him without raising the idea. Green said he hopes the pitch gives James something to think about, while adding that he does not know whether a decision has been made.
Deals keep moving elsewhere
The Spurs are bringing back guard Jordan McLaughlin on a one-year, $3.3 million agreement, agent Greg Lawrence told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The Lakers, meanwhile, have agreed to a one-year, $3 million deal with forward Ziaire Williams, sources told Charania. Williams, 24, averaged 10.2 points and 2.4 rebounds in 56 games for the Brooklyn Nets last season. ESPN reported he joins a changed Lakers frontcourt after the departures of James and Rui Hachimura in free agency.
In Las Vegas, the Clippers mixed team bonding with summer league work. ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk reported that the team's summer league group went to an escape room, where rookie Keaton Wagler, the No. 5 pick, helped guide the group out with about 13 minutes left. Wagler later scored 23 points, hit 4 of 7 from 3-point range and added four assists in a 104-82 win over Utah, after scoring seven points in his debut against Sacramento.
The Lakers also got a summer league spark from Adou Thiero, McMenamin reported. Thiero scored 20 points in a 96-84 win over Oklahoma City, with five of his eight made field goals coming on dunks.
Chicago rookie Caleb Wilson had his own Vegas burst, ESPN's Zach Kram reported. Wilson, drafted No. 4 by the Bulls, scored 35 points and made 7 of 11 3-pointers in a 97-96 loss to Memphis after making only seven total 3s in 24 games at North Carolina last season.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.