RealGM Basketball Wiretap

05 July 2026

• Timberwolves Increase Efforts To Sign LeBron James

  The Minnesota Timberwolves have "ramped up" their efforts to sign LeBron James, sources told Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic.

  The Wolves believe that they are in the running to land James, and are also the best situation for the 41-year-old.

  The Wolves are pitching James on the idea of teaming up with Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert to help win Minnesota's first men's professional sports title since the Twins in 1991.

  The team is arguing that James winning a title with the Wolves, who have never won a championship, would solidify him as the greatest player of all time.

  Rich Paul mentioned the Wolves as a possible landing spot for James on his "Game Over" podcast.

• Trey Lyles, Wolves Agree To One-Year Deal

  Trey Lyles and the Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a one-year deal. Lyles last played in the NBA in 2025 for the Sacramento Kings and played for Real Madrid last season.

  Lyles played for the Denver Nuggets when Tim Connelly ran their front office.

  In 74 games last season with Real Madrid, Lyles averaged 12.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 20.8 minutes.

  Lyles will be playing in his age-29 season.

• Rich Paul Details Ten Potential LeBron James Teams In Free Agency

  Rich Paul outlined ten possible landing spots for LeBron James on Friday, three days after James informed the Los Angeles Lakers he intends to sign elsewhere.

  Paul broke down the options during an episode of his "Game Over" podcast alongside Max Kellerman, using a whiteboard to weigh advantages and drawbacks for each franchise. Paul told ESPN he has now spoken with 27 teams regarding James.

  The Klutch Sports founder named the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs as possibilities.

  "Every day things change," said Paul, to ESPN. "This is the first time that LeBron James is making a decision pressure-free. He's won already. He's made good on his promise, he won in L.A. This is strictly for his happiness. What does happiness entail? It's a number of things. It's a bucket of happiness. It's basketball, it's living, it's camaraderie, it's competition. It's everything."

  Paul highlighted Philadelphia's roster, built around Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe, Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid.

  "Philadelphia, everything changed," said Paul. "How could you not have his attention when you have Maxey, Edgecombe, Brown and Embiid?

  "He loves Maxey, so we don't even have to talk about that. I think V.J., he helps V.J. understand really how to play the game.

  "Obviously, Jaylen Brown. Embiid is health and habits. The health and habits of Embiid are there. He enhances everything there. He unlocks everything there."

  On the Cavaliers, Paul cited Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen alongside the front office.

  "Mitchell, Harden, Mobley, Allen. Dan and Grant, which is the Gilberts. Plus Koby, he was there when LeBron won there," said Paul. "Big, big, big X factor, let me talk to you about Brandon Weems.

  "Brandon Weems is basically LeBron's brother. Now, he worked his own way up, nobody gave him anything. He's earned to be in the front office of the Cavs. But that is a big feather in the cap for Cleveland, because of Brandon Weems."

  Paul categorized the Knicks as unlikely, calling a reunion too risky given New York's championship last month.

  "It's difficult, because the last thing you want to do is mess up something like that," said Paul. "The Knicks have a good thing going. If the Knicks hadn't had won, this wouldn't even be a question. There would be no board. He'd be going to the Knicks."

  Paul added the Warriors remain in play after Draymond Green restructured his contract.

  "You see Steph and Dray," said Paul. "Don't forget about Steph and Dray."

  Sources tell ESPN that the Spurs are not considered a potential team for James to join this offseason.

• Rui Hachimura In Contact With Warriors, Timberwolves

  Rui Hachimura's representatives are in contact with the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, sources told Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line.

  Hachimura is reportedly the Timberwolves' top choice to replace Julius Randle and Naz Reid at the power forward position.

  Hachimura was also a candidate to sign with the Spurs before the team signed Tobias Harris.

  The Nets remain a possible destination for Hachimura.

• Enrique Freeman, Wolves Agree To Two-Way Deal

  The Minnesota Timberwolves re-signed Enrique Freeman to a two-way deal, sources told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

  Freeman averaged 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds last season.

• Bones Hyland, Wolves Agree To One-Year Deal

  Bones Hyland has agreed to re-sign with the Minnesota Timberwolves in free agency on a one-year minimum.

  Hyland appeared in 71 games with the Wolves last season, averaging 8.5 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 16.6 minutes.

  Hyland was drafted by Tim Connelly when the Wolves' executive ran the Denver Nuggets.

• Heat Targeting Mike Conley, Tim Hardaway Jr For Backcourt Depth

  The Miami Heat are looking for depth after agreeing to acquire Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis from the Milwaukee Bucks. The Heat are particularly shorthanded in the backcourt. That has Miami expected to target veteran guards Mike Conley and Tim Hardaway Jr. when free agency opens on Tuesday, June 30.

  Conley spent the last three-and-half seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves, around a couple of different trades at last season's trade deadline. Last season, the veteran point guard averaged 4.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 18.4 minutes per game.

  Hardaway spent last season with the Denver Nuggets. He averaged 13.5 points per game off the Nuggets bench last season. Hardaway shot 40.7% on 6.9 three-point attempts per game as he finished third in Sixth Man of the Year voting.

• Jaylen Clark, Timberwolves Agree To Three-Year, $10M Contract

  The Minnesota Timberwolves have agreed to a three-year, $10 million contract with Jaylen Clark. The Wolves will now keep Clark in the fold, as they continue their roster transition in the wake of acquiring LaMelo Ball and Josh Green for Julius Randle and Naz Reid.

  Clark averaged 4.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game over 68 appearances. The 6-foot-5 wing has shown 3&D potential for Minnesota. As the Timberwolves retool their rotation, and with Donte DiVincenzo expected to miss most, if not all, of next season, Clark is in line for a bigger role.

• Wolves Discussed Josh Giddey Trade With Bulls

  The Minnesota Timberwolves held trade talks with the Chicago Bulls for Josh Giddey in their attempts to improve the point guard position before moving forward with their deal for LaMelo Ball.

  The Wolves wanted to alleviate the burden Anthony Edwards faces against opposing defenses by adding another playmaker.

  Minnesota also discussed a Jaylen Brown trade with the Boston Celtics. The Celtics were seeking a trade package back from the Wolves that was similar to what they sent to the Charlotte Hornets plus Rudy Gobert. While Brown is considered a better player than Ball, his fit wasn't as ideal.

  Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 32.1 minutes across 54 games last season for the Bulls.

  Giddey signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Bulls during the 2025 offseason as a restricted free agent and has three seasons remaining on the deal.

• LaMelo Ball Surprised By Trade But 'Very Excited' To Join Anthony Edwards With Wolves

  LaMelo Ball entered the offseason expecting to remain with the Charlotte Hornets and his trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves was unanticipated.

  "I kind of got the impression that LaMelo didn't see this coming," said Brian Windhorst on the Pat McAfee Show.

  The Hornets never shopped Ball on the market and instead listened to trade offers and were compelled by the Wolves' package of a 2033 first round pick, three pick swaps, three second rounders and Naz Reid.

  Ball was happy with the Hornets, especially following their second half surge this past season that led to the play-in.

  Ball will now join one of the NBA's biggest superstars in Anthony Edwards with clear championship aspirations in a tier in the Western Conference immediately below the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs.

  Despite the surprise of the trade, Ball is excited for the opportunity.

  "My understanding is LaMelo Ball is very excited to go play with Anthony Edwards to try to win championships," said Shams Charania. "He knows the task at hand. Those two guys, from my understanding, are friends. They've had communication in the recent past."