LeBron James is set to enter free agency, and a potential signing with the Warriors could be on the horizon. On June 28, 2026, the NBA free agency market officially opens, and James, the league's all-time leading scorer, is available.
What's at stake for LeBron James?
The Warriors need to lighten Stephen Curry's load offensively, and James could easily slide into a wing creator role. He could find Curry for ridiculous 3s and serve up alley-oop passes for Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.
The Warriors ranked 24th in points per 100 possessions after Jimmy Butler went down with an ACL tear in January. James might be in his golf dad era, but he's still got plenty of pop.
Why the Warriors make sense for LeBron James
James and Curry won gold together in the 2024 Paris Olympics, playing for Steve Kerr. This could be a feel-good story, and even if the Warriors failed to win multiple playoff rounds, it wouldn't be viewed as a disappointment.
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, need front-court depth after trading Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets and sending Naz Reid to the Charlotte Hornets in the LaMelo Ball deal. Sandro Mamukelashvili, who was one of the most impactful bench players in the NBA last season with Toronto, could be a good fit.
What comes next for the NBA free agency market?
Mamukelashvili can become an unrestricted free agent if he declines his $2.8 million player option for next season. The burly 6-foot-9 Mamukelashvili is a confident stretch big who barrels to the rim off the dribble.
He made 38.9 percent of his 3s on nearly four attempts per game last season. It'd be a blast to watch him play next to Ball and Edwards in a five-out offense.
The Nets could also add another center to go with Day'Ron Sharpe, and Deandre Ayton is a possibility. Ayton still converted 67.1 percent of his field goals while averaging 8.0 rebounds per game last season.
Ayton's value is maligned due to his inconsistent motor and struggle to catch the ball. But he could be a good fit for the Nets, who need a center after trading Nic Claxton in the deal that brought Randle in.
The NBA free agency market may not alter the league landscape, but it could help several teams take important steps forward. And with James available, it's set to be an interesting few weeks for NBA fans.