The Minnesota Timberwolves have been busy in the lead-up to the start of the new league year, but they may have scored another victory when LeBron James announced his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, James has informed the Lakers that he will continue his career for the 2026-27 season. But he also informed the team “that the franchise can move on without him because he will play elsewhere.”
While the first thought of Timberwolves fans might be to bring James to Minnesota, it’s unlikely that will happen due to their current salary situation. But even if he signs with the Golden State Warriors, as Charania reported they plan to pursue James in free agency, the Wolves can come out winners, as the move severely weakens the Lakers next season.
Timberwolves should easily clear the Lakers after LeBron James’s departure
The Lakers could always have an ace up their sleeve playing under the bright lights of Hollywood and they still have Luka Doncic as their franchise player. But James’ departure creates a giant hole in their supporting cast and removes a key cog from their offense.
Doncic will get his numbers as a player who led the NBA with 33.5 points per game and averaged 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds, but the Lakers are relying on Austin Reaves to step up and be their second star.
Reaves had a career campaign last year, averaging 23.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.5 assists over 51 games, and he parlayed that with a four-year, $185 million maximum deal in the lead-up to free agency. But there is some concern that there isn’t much room for more after turning 28 last season.
There is also the concern that James helped create some of the success and the rest of the Lakers’ offense. While James will turn 42 in December, he was still effective for the Lakers last season, averaging 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.2 assists over 60 games.
At 6-foot-9 and 250 pounds, he also has the size to be a mismatch for opponents and has loads of basketball IQ that creates opportunities for Doncic, Reaves and the rest of the Lakers’ supporting cast.
With James out of the picture, the Lakers will hope that Doncic will carry the torch. But it may not be good enough to be title contenders in a loaded Western Conference, and also not be enough to surpass the Wolves.
The Timberwolves still need a power forward and while James is out of their price range, president of basketball operations Tim Connelly has a strong history of finding bargains in free agency.
Minnesota also has Anthony Edwards in his prime, but a stronger supporting cast with the addition of LaMelo Ball and the potential for Jaden McDaniels to have a bigger role in the offense this season.
Like the Lakers, the Timberwolves aren’t done adding to their roster. But they have a larger gap between them – especially if Minnesota finds the right pieces moving forward. It could be an even bigger win if James jumps to an Eastern Conference team like the Cleveland Cavaliers, as NBA insider Chris Haynes of Prime Video has reported that his home-state team has shown interest in a reunion, or the Miami Heat, as Jake Fischer reported.
Whether it’s the Warriors, Cavaliers, Heat, or a mystery team we don’t know about, James leaving Los Angeles for somewhere else is something that Wolves fans can celebrate. It also potentially leaves the Lakers in the rearview as they look to make another charge toward a championship next season.
