NBA Season/Playoffs 2025-26

[Phantom255x]

RIP to Brandon Clarke. Awful/sad to hear. He was 29 

https://www.tmz.com/2026/05/12/brandon-clarke-dead/

[Redz]

If Lebron wants to win his 5th before retiring, his best move is going somewhere in the East like Cleveland or New York. Or even Detroit if they somehow could. The West is gonna stay loaded with the Spurs, Thunder, Wolves and even Nuggets/Clippers/Warriors (assuming health and offseason moves) won't be pushovers.

If LeBron was to join a new team, I'd love to see him join a mid tier playoff squad rather than a top seed.

Be the difference maker. Be the guy who lifts them from 45-52 wins to 55+ wins. Who makes them a contender. He is still good enough to do that. Or at least he was this season.

--------------------

It is hard to see a good fit though.

It is a pity about Atlanta and Toronto. Their star players both play the same position as LeBron in Jalen Johnson & Scottie Barnes (plus Ingram, Barrett on the wings). Orlando have F Wagner and Banchero at forward. Philly are to unreliable due to Embiid's health. I wouldn't go there.

LeBron wouldn't go to MIL to join Giannis. It would be like he was following him. Giannis the guy who did not leave to chase rings. The guy LeBron followed. Nope. Don't see it.

Miami are too far back. LeBron isn't enough to lift them to a contender. I do wonder if he could reconsider if Miami landed Giannis in the trade market though.

I wouldn't like to see LeBron in Indiana. They have a great flow to their team with their style of play. LeBron would disrupt that.

Just .... not many good options in the mid tier (or even low tier) of the East for LBJ. Top tier teams like Cavs, NY, DET are good fits.

---------------------------

The West has 3 top tier teams in OKC, SAS, DEN. DEN having a bad postseason could give LBJ enough cover to join them. Maybe play SF next to A Gordon and give them a PF while A Gordon rests.

The mid-tier is interesting. LBJ and Durant together in Houston would be fun. LBJ next to Ant-man would be awesome but I doubt he wants to live in Minnesota.

Portland is a non-starter at this point. Too young. They could be interesting for LBJ if they land Giannis though. Although they would like land Giannis and keep Avdija (and Clingan) so maybe not enough room for LBJ. 

I can't see LBJ joining the Clippers. He would be great for them. Him and Kawhi would be a great tandem. But I can't see him leaving the Lakers for the Clippers.

The Warriors look a solid option. Play PF next to Draymond at C in a small ball group. Jimmy. Steph. Podz. Fun group for an old guy to play with. Perhaps too much of an injury proneness concer. Maybe.

The Mavs could be a sneaky good choice. Reunite with Kyrie. Be a mentor to Cooper Flagg. Flagg, Kyrie, LBJ. That is a nice Big 3. D Lively and D Gafford as bigs. PJ Washington as a backup forward. Max Christie as a stopper. Add a quality young guard in the draft.

Take the Shaq route and finish it out here.  He already has three of the same stops as Shaq on his resume.

[slamtheking]

If Lebron wants to win his 5th before retiring, his best move is going somewhere in the East like Cleveland or New York. Or even Detroit if they somehow could. The West is gonna stay loaded with the Spurs, Thunder, Wolves and even Nuggets/Clippers/Warriors (assuming health and offseason moves) won't be pushovers.

If LeBron was to join a new team, I'd love to see him join a mid tier playoff squad rather than a top seed.

Be the difference maker. Be the guy who lifts them from 45-52 wins to 55+ wins. Who makes them a contender. He is still good enough to do that. Or at least he was this season.

--------------------

It is hard to see a good fit though.

It is a pity about Atlanta and Toronto. Their star players both play the same position as LeBron in Jalen Johnson & Scottie Barnes (plus Ingram, Barrett on the wings). Orlando have F Wagner and Banchero at forward. Philly are to unreliable due to Embiid's health. I wouldn't go there.

LeBron wouldn't go to MIL to join Giannis. It would be like he was following him. Giannis the guy who did not leave to chase rings. The guy LeBron followed. Nope. Don't see it.

Miami are too far back. LeBron isn't enough to lift them to a contender. I do wonder if he could reconsider if Miami landed Giannis in the trade market though.

I wouldn't like to see LeBron in Indiana. They have a great flow to their team with their style of play. LeBron would disrupt that.

Just .... not many good options in the mid tier (or even low tier) of the East for LBJ. Top tier teams like Cavs, NY, DET are good fits.

---------------------------

The West has 3 top tier teams in OKC, SAS, DEN. DEN having a bad postseason could give LBJ enough cover to join them. Maybe play SF next to A Gordon and give them a PF while A Gordon rests.

The mid-tier is interesting. LBJ and Durant together in Houston would be fun. LBJ next to Ant-man would be awesome but I doubt he wants to live in Minnesota.

Portland is a non-starter at this point. Too young. They could be interesting for LBJ if they land Giannis though. Although they would like land Giannis and keep Avdija (and Clingan) so maybe not enough room for LBJ. 

I can't see LBJ joining the Clippers. He would be great for them. Him and Kawhi would be a great tandem. But I can't see him leaving the Lakers for the Clippers.

The Warriors look a solid option. Play PF next to Draymond at C in a small ball group. Jimmy. Steph. Podz. Fun group for an old guy to play with. Perhaps too much of an injury proneness concer. Maybe.

The Mavs could be a sneaky good choice. Reunite with Kyrie. Be a mentor to Cooper Flagg. Flagg, Kyrie, LBJ. That is a nice Big 3. D Lively and D Gafford as bigs. PJ Washington as a backup forward. Max Christie as a stopper. Add a quality young guard in the draft.

Take the Shaq route and finish it out here.  He already has three of the same stops as Shaq on his resume.

was thinking the same thing.  don't like him at all but would root for him if he wore the green. 

Wouldn't start him but have him be first group off the bench with PP.  Would bring a lot of experience and still has some game left.  would offer an offensive dimension other than chucking 3's too when the offense bogged down

[Vermont Green]

It never occurred to me that LeBron could end up on BOS, but I guess it is possible.  I would start him for sure, at PF:

White
Brown
Tatum
LeBron
Queta

Would we have to sign Bronny too?

[Birdman]

My predictions for James:

1. Cleveland
Allen
Mobley
James
Mitchell
Harden
Be favorites in the East

2. New York
Towns
James
O.G.
Bridges
Brunson
Biggest Market and the hoopla around it

3. Golden State
Green
James
Butler
Curry
Old team but he loves curry

[Vermont Green]

My predictions for James:

1. Cleveland
Allen
Mobley
James
Mitchell
Harden
Be favorites in the East

2. New York
Towns
James
O.G.
Bridges
Brunson
Biggest Market and the hoopla around it

3. Golden State
Green
James
Butler
Curry
Old team but he loves curry

You are probably right on the first 2.  I am not so sure about GSW.  BOS might beat them unless Butler and Curry somehow got more healthy.  CLE makes the most sense I guess.  Seems he would love playing with Harden and Mitchell.  Not as good a positional fit as playing the swing/PF for NYK, but makes a lot of sense.

[Moranis]

I think James stays in LA, goes back to Cleveland, or retires.  NY, Boston, and GS have small chances. 

I know everyone thinks Lebron is going to do a retirement tour, but Im really not so sure of that.  I think he might actually retire this summer.  I don't think he will, additional I think he really like playing and he would like a 5th title, but I don't think it is out of the question either.

[Who]

Take the Shaq route and finish it out here.  He already has three of the same stops as Shaq on his resume.

was thinking the same thing.  don't like him at all but would root for him if he wore the green. 

Wouldn't start him but have him be first group off the bench with PP.  Would bring a lot of experience and still has some game left.  would offer an offensive dimension other than chucking 3's too when the offense bogged down

It never occurred to me that LeBron could end up on BOS, but I guess it is possible.  I would start him for sure, at PF:

White
Brown
Tatum
LeBron
Queta

Agreed. Gotta start LeBron.

He would be fantastic for this team's offense. We need another ball-handler, passer, decision maker. Another stabilizer / controller for the offense. LeBron would be Jrue's replacement.

[Who]

My predictions for James:

1. Cleveland
Allen
Mobley
James
Mitchell
Harden
Be favorites in the East

An alternate Cavs team if they traded for Giannis. Assuming an E Mobley & J Allen trade for Giannis & M Turner.

G: D Mitchell
G: J Harden
F: LeBron
F: Giannis
C: M Turner

LeBron finishes his career with a bang back in CLE. The most watched show in basketball. The new Heatles. Bron & Giannis. Harden and D Mitch as second guns.

[Donoghus]

My predictions for James:

1. Cleveland
Allen
Mobley
James
Mitchell
Harden
Be favorites in the East

An alternate Cavs team if they traded for Giannis. Assuming an E Mobley & J Allen trade for Giannis & M Turner.

G: D Mitchell
G: J Harden
F: LeBron
F: Giannis
C: M Turner

LeBron finishes his career with a bang back in CLE. The most watched show in basketball. The new Heatles. Bron & Giannis. Harden and D Mitch as second guns.

The ire directed at that team would be on par with the early 2010s Heatles.

[Donoghus]

Can't say I'm shocked this went nowhere

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
?
5m
The NBA concluded its investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks over the shutdown and health of Giannis Antetokounmpo late in the season and has determined that no further action is warranted, sources tell ESPN

Shams Charania
@ShamsCharania
An NBA spokesperson in response to its Milwaukee Bucks-Giannis Antetokounmpo investigation: ?The NBA?s Player Participation Policy investigation into the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis Antetokounmpo is ongoing and certain facts remain in dispute. The investigation has found that the Bucks scheduled Giannis to work out last week in three-on-three scrimmages as part of his return-to-play process, but he declined to participate. There is a disagreement as to whether the team requested that Giannis participate in a group workout earlier this week, and the league is continuing to monitor the situation.?

[snively]

LeBron would be a huge difference maker for Denver.  That 3rd playmaking wheel they have been lacking. A great offensive fit next to Murray and Jokic. Would be fun to watch.