Adam Silver said the entire NBA's 2026-27 schedule is on hold until LeBron James makes his decision on which team he will join during free agency.
Watch highlights from Yaxel Lendeborg’s fourth quarter in the Golden State Warriors’ 87-77 NBA Summer League win over the New York Knicks on Thursday. Commissioner Adam Silver revealed Thursday that the league has not finalized its 2026-27 schedule because James’ free-agency decision still is unresolved -- and his eventual destination will shape everything from opening week to Christmas Day.
“We have to finish up the schedule, and where LeBron plays will affect the schedule,” Silver told CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin at thein New York. “So I would like him to make his announcement already, so we can finish the schedule -- because, as you might imagine, the teams are calling us, the networks are calling us, and everybody wants to lock in the schedule.
”"We have to finish up the schedule and where LeBron plays affects the schedule ... opening week, Christmas. So I need him to make a decision.
"The delay carries real stakes. James has played in the league’s marquee Christmas Day game a record 20 times, including 19 consecutive seasons -- a streak the NBA and its broadcast partners clearly expect to continue no matter where he signs. The league’s schedule typically releases in mid-August, meaning Silver’s comments still leave roughly a month before any real deadline pressure -- but the uncertainty already has front offices and networks anxious.
Silver also offered a personal take on what he believes would make James happiest in his next stop, and the names he chose were not accidental.
“He played for Steve Kerr for the Olympic team. He’s close to Draymond -- playing with Steph is wonderful,” Silver said.
“LeBron’s career is complete. I think he should go somewhere there’s going to be true joy around the game. ”For the Warriors, that is as close to a public nod as the league office is likely to give. Green himself still is unsigned as a free agent, havingthat could bring James to the Bay -- meaning Golden State's offseason still is on hold right alongside the NBA’s entire schedule, waiting on the same decision.
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