LeBron’s Decision Leaves Three Big Questions for the NBA

Now that LeBron James has picked his next team (and officially signed his deal), the NBA offseason can finally move on.

James’s free agency put multiple teams and players in a holding pattern as they waited for him to make a decision. 

Commissioner Adam Silver said James is such a big part of the league’s schedule that he hoped he made up his mind so the NBA could finalize its national TV slate. “I would like him to make his announcement already, so we can finish the schedule,” Silver said.

The league tends to go dark in August with Summer League and free agency having concluded in July. With James set to join the Sixers, here are the remaining priorities on the NBA’s agenda for the rest of the summer. 

Who’s Left in Free Agency?

James Harden (Cavaliers) and Draymond Green (Warriors) are expected to re-sign with their current teams in short order. Both teams were in contention to land James. 

Harden declined his $42 million player option for next season to sign a long-term contract with Cleveland, but waited to possibly take a discount for James to play his third stint with his hometown team. Similarly, Green declined his $27 million player option to help make room for James, but money proved to not be a factor in his free agency. 

Despite the Warriors having the ability to offer James the full mid-level exception of $15 million, he agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal with the Sixers on Friday. 

Both Green and Nuggets forward Peyton Watson are represented by Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, who also lists James as a client. Other notable players who remain free agents are Pistons forward Jalen Duren and Hawks wing Jonathan Kuminga. 

What Will Schedule Look Like?

James’s decision to head to Philadelphia likely drew cheers throughout the NBA’s broadcast offices. 

While he’s always been a draw in his previous 23 seasons, his decision to join the Sixers gives the league a plethora of marquee matchups in the Atlantic Division. The Sixers games against the Knicks (playoff rematch), Celtics (Jaylen Brown’s former team), and Raptors (longtime playoff opponent) all have major storylines in addition to games against the Heat, Cavaliers, Warriors, and Lakers. 

The NBA tends to release its schedule in mid-August, and it will be interesting to see how many games the Sixers get on national television. 

When Will Clippers Get a Ruling?

Silver said at Summer League that his timeline is to have a ruling on the league’s investigation into the Clippers and failed startup Aspiration by “this summer.” 

At the center of the probe is whether the Clippers used Aspiration to commit salary cap circumvention and pay Kawhi Leonard additional compensation outside of his team salary. The probe has been ongoing for 10 months, which Silver said was longer than he expected. 

If found guilty, Silver can fine the organization, void Leonard’s contract, and strip the team of draft picks as forms of punishment. 

A trade between the Clippers and Raptors that would send Leonard back to Toronto is currently paused until a ruling is made. Should it go through, it would make for another juicy storyline with both Leonard and James back in the Eastern Conference. 

James’s free agency was the biggest storyline of the summer. Now that he’s decided, all eyes are on the league office to await a Clippers ruling.