NBA’s 3 Biggest Questions

Morning Edition

July 27, 2026

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Now that LeBron James has officially signed his deal with the Sixers, the NBA’s biggest offseason domino has finally fallen. Here are the league’s next three big questions.

—Alex Schiffer

First Up

LeBron James made his $8 million Sixers deal official as Philadelphia keeps tweaking its roster. Read the story.
Lionel Messi is skipping another MLS All-Star Game, but this time MLS won’t suspend him. Read the story.
Cathy Engelbert declined to say whether she’ll remain WNBA commissioner as questions about her future grow. Read the story.
The WNBA is investing millions in a new replay center to address officiating concerns. Read the story.

LeBron’s Decision Leaves Three Big Questions for the NBA

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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.

The 3M Science Behind Golf Clubs

What does it actually take to build a golf club? In this episode of FOS Engineered, presented by 3M, we went inside PING’s headquarters to follow a club through every step of the manufacturing process: from raw materials and precision assembly to stress testing with the legendary PING Man robot.

Along the way, we uncovered how engineering, technology, and innovation come together to create equipment built for performance, including the critical role 3M technologies play throughout the process. From the adhesives that bond club components together to the materials that help ensure durability and consistency, 3M helps enable the precision behind every club.

Watch the full episode here.

LOUD AND CLEAR

Another Offseason Twist

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“It’s the concussion.”

—That’s what 49ers GM John Lynch told reporters about what’s keeping Kyle Shanahan from fully participating as training camp opens after the coach suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose, and other injuries in a July 14 car accident.

The crash is the latest development in an offseason that has also included the unresolved Brandon Aiyuk saga, questions about why Shanahan’s accident wasn’t disclosed for nearly two weeks, and criticism of the 49ers’ international-heavy schedule. Read the story.

DAILY SPORTS TRIVIA

Can you rank the top five highest-paid MLB players this year?

STATUS REPORT

One Up, Two Down, One Push

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Alabama ⬇ Robert Aaron Suttles, content director for Yea Alabama, the school’s NIL collective, was arrested during a human trafficking sting in Shelby County, Ala., and charged with solicitation of prostitution. The collective said Suttles has been suspended while the legal process plays out and an internal investigation is underway.

Athletics ⬇ All-Star catcher Shea Langeliers is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee, according to ESPN. The injury is also expected to end any trade speculation around Langeliers ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline.

Diego Pavia ⬆⬇ The Ravens waived the former Vanderbilt quarterback before training camp, ending his first NFL stint just months after signing as an undrafted free agent. But the former Heisman Trophy finalist could still catch on with another NFL team, pursue opportunities in the CFL or UFL, or eventually return to Vanderbilt in a coaching role.

LeBron jerseys ⬆ The first wave of LeBron James 76ers jerseys sold out within hours Friday as fans rushed to buy No. 23 in Philadelphia. Fanatics is expected to keep restocking the jerseys, but the early demand shows James is already paying dividends for the Sixers off the court.

Golf’s Hidden Competitive Edge

Winning takes more than talent. It takes the technology behind every shot. Modern golf equipment relies on advances in material science that help engineers refine performance, consistency, and durability.

Those same scientific principles are helping solve challenges across automotive, electronics, aerospace, and more. Discover how 3M is bringing innovation to life through one of golf’s biggest stages and beyond.

Editors’ Picks

Question of the Day

Will the 76ers reach the NBA Finals with LeBron James?

YES NO

Friday’s result: 32% of respondents said they thought LeBron James would play for the Cavaliers next season. 19% said the Warriors. 22% said the Heat. 27% said a different team.