LeBron James free agency: Sixers among top suitors as Cavs lead odds

LeBron James is now a free agent and the Cleveland Cavaliers lead the race to re-sign him at 48% on prediction markets, while the Philadelphia 76ers sit at 4-8% as of July 13, 2026.

LeBron James opted against re-signing with the Los Angeles Lakers and is now weighing his next move. Prediction market Kalshi ranks the Cleveland Cavaliers at 48% to land James, up 2% from the day before. The Miami Heat sit at 21%, down 4%, while the Golden State Warriors hold 20%, up 5%. The Philadelphia 76ers trail at 4%, down 1%, with the Minnesota Timber wolves at 4%.

Polymarket shows Cleveland at 48% again, up 7%, followed by Golden State at 21%, down 6%. The Miami Heat sit at 19%, up 2%, while the Sixers rise to 8%, up 6%, and Minnesota drops to 2%.

James’ agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports outlined the shortlist of teams James is considering on the “Game Over” podcast with Max Kellerman. The whiteboard session included the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on July 9 that the list had been trimmed to the Cavaliers, Heat, Sixers, Warriors and Timberwolves. Executives from interested teams have sent voice notes to Paul, who passed them along to James.

Jaylen Brown, the 76ers’ newly acquired star, made his pitch for James on July 9 while at the France-Morocco World Cup. Speaking to influencer IShowSpeed, Brown urged James to join Philadelphia. “You gotta tell LeBron he gotta pull up, man. Pull up to Philly,” Brown said.

Bob Meyer, president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment: which owns the Sixers: also pitched James on the club. “If he was here, I’d say I honestly believe this is your best chance to win. … If it’s about winning, this is your team. You can win in Philadelphia,” Meyer said on the podcast.

The Sixers aren’t the only Philly voices courting James. Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ running back, called Philadelphia one of the greatest sports towns in the world and said he’d make the case for James to join the city.

James is expected to weigh his options carefully before making a decision. The Cavaliers remain the frontrunner in prediction markets, but James has not ruled out a fresh start elsewhere. His next move could come within days as teams finalize their pitches and James evaluates fit, roster and championship outlook.

The timeline is tight. James’ camp is moving quickly to gather offers and weigh long-term fit. Cleveland’s historic pull for James looms large, yet the Sixers’ aggressive push: backed by Brown’s public lobbying and Meyer’s inside pitch: keeps Philadelphia in the conversation.