LeBron James Free Agency Leaves Multiple Teams With Open Roster Spots

LeBron James' free agency has placed several NBA teams in a holding pattern more than three weeks after the 2026 draft. Cleveland, Denver, Golden State, Miami, Minnesota and Philadelphia each hold at least two open roster spots while monitoring his decision. The Nuggets and Warriors together have eight openings.

James left the Los Angeles Lakers during the offseason. The Lakers used their cap space to sign other players and now retain only the $2.8 million veterans minimum exception. ESPN reported that general manager Rob Pelinka and coach JJ Redick met virtually with Jonathan Kuminga to discuss a role alongside Luka Doncic.

Draymond Green is expected to return to Golden State and James Harden to Cleveland. Without new contracts for those players, both teams sit nearly $39 million below the second apron. The Nuggets, 76ers and Timberwolves can each offer the $3.

Rich Paul, James' agent, said on his "Game Over" podcast that happiness rather than money will guide the decision. "If it's about happiness, because if it's the most money, then it's not necessarily the most happiness," Paul said. He added that James must weigh the choice carefully because "everything looks great in July.

DeMar DeRozan became an unrestricted free agent after the Sacramento Kings waived him. He averaged 18.4 points per game while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field in the 2025-26 season, turns 37 in August and has appeared in at least 74 games in each of the past five seasons.

Other unresolved free agents include Bradley Beal, Bruce Brown, Russell Westbrook, Matisse Thybulle, Kelly Olynyk, Nick Richards and Drew Eubanks. The Lakers could pursue a sign-and-trade for Kuminga because Atlanta did not exercise his team option.