LeBron James Nearly Chose Timberwolves Over 76ers Before Blockbuster Trade Changed Everything

LeBron James had several options as a free agent before landing a two-year contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Before James’ 24th NBA season, there were rumors about which team he would join after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers.

Teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and the Golden State Warriors were linked as potential landing spots. The Minnesota Timberwolves were also in the mix in his free agency decision. James could have joined Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball and Rudy Gobert, forming a dynamic superteam in the Western Conference.

According to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski, James was close to signing a deal with the Timberwolves. Krawczynski revealed on CLNS Media’s Celtics Daily with Bobby Manning that one major move changed everything.

Apr 18, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) reacts against the Houston Rockets during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“There’s a very good chance that if they don’t make that trade, LeBron James is in Minnesota this year, and not Philadelphia,” Krawczynski said.

“I do think that LeBron made the decision to go to Philadelphia because of the basketball fit, and the chance to win a championship. If Jaylen Brown is not in Philadelphia, I think that there’s a real possibility that LeBron looks at Minnesota as the next-best team for him to be competitive and try to win a championship.”

“There’s a very good chance that if they don’t make that trade, LeBron James is in Minnesota this year, and not Philadelphia,” Krawczynski said.

“I do think that LeBron made the decision to go to Philadelphia because of the basketball fit, and the chance to win a championship. If Jaylen Brown is not in Philadelphia, I think that there’s a real possibility that LeBron looks at Minnesota as the next-best team for him to be competitive and try to win a championship.”

The 76ers traded for Jaylen Brown this offseason, sending Paul George and four future draft picks to the Boston Celtics. Brown had just finished the best season of his career, and sending him to Philly gives the team another elite player next to Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.

After acquiring Brown, they emerged as a contender for the championship. However, the 76ers became favorites to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy when they signed LeBron James.

Although the Timberwolves came up short, team president Tim Connelly revealed that they were very close to landing him. Connelly said on The Jon Krawczynski Show that he had conversations with LeBron James and Rich Paul about his fit in Minnesota.

“I’ve known those guys forever, so I thought it was pretty consistent that they were really intrigued by the basketball fit,” Connelly said. “That was never a concern.”

“I’ve known those guys forever, so I thought it was pretty consistent that they were really intrigued by the basketball fit,” Connelly said. “That was never a concern.”

Connelly said that the Timberwolves were encouraged by the dialogue they had with James and Paul. The executive described it as “consistent and constant”.

“There weren’t any lapses, and it was always, ‘Hey, I really like playing with Ant, playing with Rudy, playing with Jaden.’ I think playing between two elite defenders really intrigued him,” he added.

“There weren’t any lapses, and it was always, ‘Hey, I really like playing with Ant, playing with Rudy, playing with Jaden.’ I think playing between two elite defenders really intrigued him,” he added.

Even after missing out on James, Connelly feels strongly about the team they formed this summer.