Nuggets, T-Wolves, Mavericks reportedly in bidding war for $101M four-time NBA champion, former MVP

The LeBron James sweepstakes are in full swing, and teams know there is no time to waste. The good news for interested franchises is that James is expected to take his time to ensure he makes the right decision for the final stage of his career.

Several teams have reason to be confident in their pursuit of the four-time NBA champion, including the Philadelphia 76ers.

“So much has changed. There’s fluidity that comes with it. A few days ago the Sixers didn’t have Jaylen Brown so now they do. Now they have to be on the radar of LeBron James. The Cavs, the Heat, their two teams that are known quantities. The Warriors going into Free Agency dreamt up a grand plan of Draymond, Steph, LeBron, but the big domino with them is trying to get a player like Anthony Davis to bring LeBron and AD as a package deal. Short of that, they’re not really looked at as the top of this list,” ESPN’s Shams Charania said.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are also making a strong push to convince James to join their organization.

“The Timberwolves are ramping up their push for LeBron James, sources tell The Athletic. The pitch: Team w/Ant, LaMelo, Jaden, Rudy in championship-starved Minnesota to go after a title that could cement his case for the throne” The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski posted.

James' agent, Rich Paul, recently revealed the teams that remain in the running. The Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and Timberwolves are among the franchises still pursuing James.

“Rich Paul made a white board with ‘realistic destinations’ for LeBron. 76ers, Knicks, Cavs, TWolves, Nuggets, Heat, Warriors, Celtics, Spurs, and Mavs,” Bleacher Report posted.

The Timberwolves envision a star-studded offense featuring James, LaMelo Ball, and Anthony Edwards. The Nuggets could form a formidable core with Nikola Jokić, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, and James. Meanwhile, the Mavericks could bring James in to mentor their young roster while reuniting him with Kyrie Irving.

James played last season on a $101 million contract with the Lakers, but his next deal is expected to be significantly smaller. All three teams have to feel like they have a legitimate chance to sign him. Simply being included in the LeBron James sweepstakes is enough reason for any franchise to push all of its chips to the center of the table.

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