Welcome back, ClutchFam! Just because LeBron James signed with the Sixers doesn’t mean rumor season is over. Today, Brett Siegel drops some new intel on the teams that lost out on the LeBron sweepstakes, and what they’re doing (or not doing) to keep up with the competition. Enjoy!

- Spencer Poole (Editor - ClutchPoints NBA Newsletter)

Want to stay up to date on the latest free agency updates? Check out our 2026 NBA Free Agency Live Updates to stay on top of rumors, signings, and trades.

Looking for more sports trivia? Check out our new game, Rewind, a daily game where you guess the year five iconic sports moments happened.

📍 Newsletter Exclusive: Every edition, we'll feature exclusive reporting, interviews, and intel from ClutchPoints insiders Brett Siegel and Tomer Azarly that you won't find anywhere else in your email inbox!

So now that LeBron James has made his decision, what does it mean for the three teams that missed out? All of them face major questions with August approaching, which takes us to our first chunk of intel.

Heat pivot to other former All-Stars

The idea of LeBron returning to South Beach to form a new Big 3 next to Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo was a very real possibility, and Miami was an option until the very end. But Philadelphia was James' ultimate decision, and at no point in his process did he choose the Heat before changing his mind, multiple sources told ClutchPoints. All the rumors surrounding their leaked YouTube introductory press conference amounted to nothing — someone in Miami's social department simply got overzealous, and it was not the Heat trying to tip their hand.

Another wrinkle: Giannis never really went out of his way to put together a whole recruiting pitch to LeBron, sources told ClutchPoints. Unlike the 76ers' stars being in constant communication with James, and both Draymond Green and Stephen Curry pitching the Warriors, Antetokounmpo did not put in the same amount of effort. Whether that factored into LeBron's decision is unknown.

The Heat now enter August without a third notable star. With three open roster spots and roughly $10 million below their first-apron hard cap, Miami can use the rest of its mid-level exception on experienced players who can provide championship depth alongside Antetokounmpo and Adebayo.

Six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan now moves to the forefront of the Heat's plans after he and the franchise have shared mutual interest through the years. DeRozan was waived by the Kings at the start of July and has since cleared waivers to become an unrestricted free agent. Miami has also expressed interest in three-time All-Star Bradley Beal, who opted out of his $5.6 million player option with the LA Clippers — interest ClutchPoints first reported on June 29.

Are Cavs in trouble without LeBron?

James Harden opted out of his $42.3 million player option to give Cleveland financial flexibility, both to aid their pursuit of James and to get the team out of the second apron while adding guaranteed years to his deal. But the Cavs never once looked to move Harden this offseason — their plan was always to bring him back, sources said. That's why it won't be long until Harden signs a new two- or three-year contract.

Many around the NBA believe James was open to returning to Cleveland early in free agency but did not want to play with Harden, which is why rumors of him reuniting with Kyrie Irving resurfaced. Even so, there were never any trade conversations between the Cavs and Mavs about a Harden-Irving swap, sources said.

With no LeBron, the Cavs' roster looks almost identical — minus Dean Wade and Keon Ellis, and with the addition of former No. 5 pick Mario Hezonja — to the one that got swept by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The only impactful free agent left for them to pursue is Jonathan Kuminga, who has interest in joining Cleveland, sources said. Kuminga is seeking $14 million to $18 million, which makes a sign-and-trade his only path there.

The Cavs have sign-and-trade options to explore, including dealing veteran guard Dennis Schroder, who has emerged as a trade candidate, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Cleveland also explored pursuing Nuggets wing Cam Johnson around the NBA Draft, sources said, but no deal developed and the belief now is that Denver keeps him. Pelicans forward Herb Jones is another player the Cavs have long held interest in, though his asking price remains exceptionally high.

Not much is expected to change for the Cavs, which is a real concern with Miami and Philadelphia making championship-like jumps and Indiana getting healthy in the East.

Another big swing, another big miss for Warriors

For years, Warriors owner Joe Lacob has dreamed of pairing LeBron with Steph Curry and Draymond Green, and Golden State even tried to trade for James at the 2024 deadline, only for him to decline to waive his no-trade clause midseason. Once again, James turned down the chance — a decision that, in the eyes of Warriors fans, may make him the franchise's biggest villain this side of the 2016 Finals.

Sources told ClutchPoints the team held out hope LeBron would favor playing with Curry and Green, but it became clear during the first week of Summer League that he'd be joining an Eastern Conference suitor. The Warriors simply weren't viewed as the same title contender as other suitors, sources say, with Curry being the team's only proven scorer.

Golden State did believe landing Anthony Davis from Washington would've shifted LeBron's mindset, and the team inquired about his availability, sources said. But Washington's asking price was "unreasonable," as one team source put it, and the brief talks went nowhere. Jaylen Brown was another star the Warriors talked to the Celtics about, sources said, but Boston wasn't willing to hear offers since it held no interest in Golden State's assets. The Warriors would've traded Jimmy Butler and draft assets for either Davis or Brown.

Golden State has also contacted the Pelicans multiple times about Trey Murphy III, offering a package centered on two first-round picks, sources said. New Orleans hasn't budged from its ask of three firsts plus a young player — something the Dubs don't have to offer.

The idea of adding another star next to Curry has faded yet again. The roster won't look much different than it did when the 2025-26 season ended, which casts real doubt on the Warriors' championship chances.

Be the smartest person in the room. 1440 navigates 100+ sources to deliver a comprehensive, unbiased news roundup — politics, business, culture, and more — in a quick, 5-minute read. Completely free, completely factual.

Sign up now!

On Friday, the Golden State Warriors' pursuit of LeBron James in free agency officially came up empty when the former MVP signed with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Warriors are now running out of options to improve their team this offseason, looking poised to bring back mostly the same roster that exited in the play-in tournament last year.

Recently, Warriors star Stephen Curry broke down his initial reaction to James' free agency decision.