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LeBron James free agency: Prediction markets, Rich Paul cash in; schedule makers wait

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News broke that LeBron James would not be returning to the Los Angeles Lakers on June 30. Effectively, he became a free agent that second, which means the race to obtain his services has been going on for almost a month. Still, he hasn’t decided and nobody has any idea when he will. 

In some ways, this is a good thing for the NBA. The league is still hanging around the top of the news cycle at a point in the calendar when typically everyone starts to shift their focus toward football. If this situation wasn’t lingering, the only NBA story anyone would be talking about would be the Kawhi Leonard investigation, which is actually a bigger deal than James’ free agency, as it has a major trade on hold. If the Raptors miss on Leonard, it will become a bigger loss than any of the teams that end up missing on James. 

But LeBron is LeBron, and as long as he’s on the open market, he’s going to be the story. And the longer this story goes, the more some entities will be both hurt and helped by the attention. So that’s what we’re going to look at today. Who are the biggest winners and losers of the NBA’s all-time leading scorer taking this long to make up his mind?

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Who needs LeBron James the most? Ranking which suitors are in the most trouble if he picks someone else

Sam Quinn

Who needs LeBron James the most? Ranking which suitors are in the most trouble if he picks someone else
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Winner: Prediction markets

As of this writing, north of $210 million has been wagered at Kalshi on James’ next team. At Polymarket, the number is just under $40 million and climbing. The longer this goes on, the more bets these markets will field. James’ procrastination is a cash cow. 

I’m sure by now you know the Miami Heat accidentally posted a scheduled video for an introductory press conference on their YouTube channel. This is normal media business. Everyone has social posts and articles and videos prewritten or recorded for every realistic destination (as do those teams), so the button can be hit the instant that LeBron’s decision goes public to capitalize on that initial surge of traffic. These posts aren’t supposed to be published, of course. The Heat’s social media team made a mistake, and it swung the markets wildly. 

Prior to that post, the Cleveland Cavaliers were the favorite to land James, having taken 38% of the bets at Kalshi, with the Heat next on the board at 36%. After the Heat’s post went viral, the wagers started rolling in as Miami surged to a 49% favorite while Cleveland dropped to 26%. 

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Those splits have largely stayed the same, even after Miami called its post a mistake. Meanwhile, at the time of this writing, the Golden State Warriors, who were a 46% favorite to land James at the start of July, are also-ran material at this point, having accounted for just 17% of wagers. 

By the way, these aren’t the only markets that are popping. You can also bet on which conference James will end up in (the East is currently an 82% favorite), the total value of his next contract, the date the announcement will be made, and even who or where the announcement will come from. James announcing it himself currently has 35% of the bets, with Klutch Sports Group (meaning agent Rich Paul) second at 28% and ESPN’s Shams Charania at 25%. 

If you’re new to these prediction markets, this is your wake-up call. As we speak, there are millions, and in the case of James, hundreds of millions being wagered on everything from sports-related outcomes to wars, the stock market, the Grammys and Oscars, political elections and oil prices. 

If it’s in the news, chances are you can bet on it. As such, the longer James’ free agency stays in the news, the more bets these markets will be fielding. So while most of us (I certainly count myself among this group) would probably appreciate it if this saga could just end already, the prediction market folks that are raking in all this wagered cash would love nothing more than for this to drag on as long as possible. 

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Loser: NBA schedule makers

Everyone thought James would make a big announcement at Fanatics Fest in New York City last week amid his flurry of scheduled appearances. Instead, it was NBA commissioner Adam Silver who made waves when he went on stage and basically told James to hurry up already so the league could finish the 2026-27 schedule. 

“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,” Silver said. “But [where LeBron plays] will influence how we set the schedule, how we set opening week, Christmas Day, etc. So I need him to make a decision.”

There have been rumors that James was ready to make his announcement last week, but was irritated by Silver trying to rush him and decided to hold off a bit longer. 

Who knows if this is true, but Silver has a fair point about the schedule. The NBA is one year into a $76 billion TV deal with Disney, NBC, and Amazon, and those networks split the biggest dates and games — particularly opening night, Christmas Day, and all the big national windows. 

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For example, James has played in 20 Christmas Day games, including 19 straight. Meaning, wherever he signs will immediately become a Christmas team. Just that alone has a domino effect, and when you factor in the 25ish national-TV games James’ new team will certainly be cast in, and all the downstream effects of that scheduling in terms of how that changes other teams’ dates. 

This is a big holdup for the NBA and its very expensive and increasingly antsy television partners. 

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Winner: Rich Paul’s podcast

While James only made select appearances at Fanatics Fest over a two-day span during this saga, his agent, Rich Paul, has been front and center with his “Game Over” podcast becoming something of a buffet for the masses of fans (and media) starving for any crumb of information. 

It started on July 3 when Paul unveiled the famous whiteboard, outlining the pros and cons and biggest players and selling points for each potential James suitor. 


Game Over Podcast

Since then, Paul has been the main public voice for the James side and his podcast must be seeing massive spikes in audience. He hasn’t really said much other than that James is “not going to be rushed” and is going to do what is best for him and his family. But again, every little crumb of information — from “the 76ers have our attention” to “this will not be a money-based decision” — is being gobbled up like a Michelin-rated meal. And in this case, Paul’s podcast is the restaurant. 

Loser: Cavs and/or Warriors

On some level, every team that strikes out on James is going to be a loser. But there are degrees to this. If the Heat don’t get him, for instance, they’ll be disappointed. They could really use his playmaking and shooting, but worst-case scenario, they still landed their big fish in Giannis Antetokounmpo this summer. James would be icing on the cake. 

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Same thing for the Philadelphia 76ers. They already made their summer splash by swapping out Paul George for Jaylen Brown, and Dean Wade and Anfernee Simons are nice margin signings. Wade will be a starter if James doesn’t come. And honestly, he’s a better defender than James and the 76ers already have arguably too much scoring. What Philly could really use is James’ passing to help navigate a supremely delicate usage ecosystem composed of four No. 1-option players. 

The Minnesota Timberwolves need a power forward after the losses of Julius Randle and Naz Reid. And of the teams being reported as realistic suitors, they might give James his best chance at winning, given the two-way players, shooting, companion creation and defensive infrastructure already in place. But again, if they miss on James, they at least already made a big move this summer by trading for LaMelo Ball

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The Cavs and the Warriors, on the other hand, have all their eggs in the LeBron basket, and with it dragging on this long, their Plan B pool has all but dried up. The Cavs let the aforementioned Wade go to the 76ers in part to keep room open to sign the two Jameses — LeBron and Harden, who opted out of his $42.3 million contract for next season to also create room for LeBron. 

It’s all tied together, and if James doesn’t come, the Cavs will be looking at guys like Jonathan Kuminga instead and could also end up having to pay Harden more than they’d like to (although he doesn’t really have anywhere else to go now that this has dragged out for so long). 

Meanwhile, the Warriors haven’t added a single player besides their draft picks. When Draymond Green opted out, it was clearly a move aimed at freeing up mid-level money for James, and Golden State fans really began getting their hopes up when reports indicated the possibility of trading for Anthony Davis as the lure for James. 

Now the Davis pursuit looks done, if it ever really even began in earnest, and James teaming up with Stephen Curry is back in the pipe-dream realm, at least if you believe the reporting. Warriors fans are going to revolt if another offseason rolls by without the team doing anything of significance as another year of Curry’s rapidly dwindling career fades away. 

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Captaincy weighed him down, freedom set him free: The remarkable second act of Joe Root | Cricket News

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Captaincy weighed him down, freedom set him free: The remarkable second act of Joe Root
The remarkable act of Joe Root (Image: AI Generated)

NEW DELHI: Joe Root finished the ODI series against India unbeaten, scoring 249 runs in three innings to guide England to a 2-1 series victory. At 36, while many of his contemporaries have retired, Root continues to redefine consistency across formats. All of Root’s scores in this series 76, 99, and 74 came when the team needed him most, and he was deservedly named Player of the Series.Across the three-match ODI series against India, Root was England’s batting backbone. He scored 76 in the first ODI to help England recover to 258 from 107/6, followed it up with a match-winning 99 in the second ODI while chasing 234, and finished with an unbeaten 74 in the third ODI, anchoring England’s record 387-run total, supporting Ben Duckett’s 141, and accelerating in the death overs.

India had no answer to Joe Root

Joe Root breathed fire against India on his home soil and denied India a fairytale comeback after their 0-4 T20I series loss. In the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India fought well, but they could not stop the home hero, Root, who remained a headache for the visitors.Remember the bat-drop celebration by Root against India in 2018? That was the last time England won an ODI series against India, and the hero then was also none other than Root. He had scored 113* and 100 in that series and was named the Player of the Series.

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Joe Root’s bat drop celebration

For over a decade, Root has been England’s most dependable batter across Tests and ODIs, consistently delivering when the team needed him the most. Now 36, he continues to thrive despite many of his contemporaries, such as Alastair Cook, Eoin Morgan, Andrew Flintoff, Kevin Pietersen, and most recently Ben Stokes, having already retired from international cricket.The moot point is how Root continues to compete with youngsters the same way he did a decade ago. What is the secret behind his longevity? Former England spinner Monty Panesar, who once shared the dressing room with Root, revealed the secret.Speaking to TimesofIndia.com, Monty Panesar pointed out Root’s hunger for runs and how he continues to evolve with every match, making every ground feel like his own den.

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‘England’s Greatest to Ever Play’

“I think he’s simply hungry. He loves playing cricket and is still hungry to score runs. He still has that passion, and he probably wants to cement his status as one of England’s greatest cricketers. With an ODI average above 50 and a Test average over 50, he probably feels he still has a few years left. When he retires, he wants to be remembered as England’s greatest batter,” Monty Panesar told TimesofIndia.com.In the modern T20 era, where batters look to come in, smash the ball, and walk away, Root prefers to stay at the crease and plays like an old-school batter who believes in building an innings rather than throwing away his wicket to a reckless shot.“When I played with him, he had a very solid defence. He was always comfortable playing reverse sweeps, paddle sweeps, and those little scoring shots. He made them look very easy. You can see how his game has evolved, even in Test cricket, where he now plays the lap sweep over the slips for six. But on pitches like Cardiff, where there’s extra bounce, you have to play a more traditional style of cricket. That’s why his game is so effective. That’s the difference between Joe Root and many of the younger players today,” Monty Panesar added.

The many careers of Joe Root

There is another story that defines Joe Root’s career – his journey before, during, and after captaincy.Before becoming captain (2012–January 2017), he scored 8,211 runs in 152 matches at an average of 48.58.During his Test captaincy (2017–April 2022), Root accumulated 8,680 runs in 149 matches at an average of 49.31. And since stepping down as captain in 2022, Root has enjoyed a remarkable resurgence. He has amassed 5,942 runs in 89 matches at an average of 53.05, scoring 20 centuries while rediscovering his best form in both Tests and ODIs.

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JOE ROOT

‘Captaincy Changed Root, But It Didn’t Break Him’

“I think his captaincy period was extremely tough. England went through a difficult phase where they won only one of 17 Test matches, and eventually he had to step down. Those difficult moments probably made him stronger. Now he’s enjoying the freedom that comes without the burden of captaincy, and he’s making the most of it because he knows how hard things were during that period. I think those experiences have increased his hunger even further. He wants to continue playing for as long as possible because he’s genuinely enjoying scoring runs for England again,” Monty Panesar stated.

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Why Didn’t Root Conquer T20 Cricket?

Whenever Joe Root is compared with the Fab Four, one question is always asked: Why did he fail to dominate T20Is?There is Virat Kohli, who excelled in every format he played. Kane Williamson showcased his class across formats. Steve Smith did the same. But Root has always believed in elegant batting over power-hitting.“I think his game is naturally more suited to the longer formats than T20 cricket, and that’s probably why he hasn’t been as successful in the shortest format. If you compare him with today’s younger batters, their games are built around T20 cricket. Joe Root’s strengths are more suited to Test cricket and ODIs. T20 is probably the hardest format for him because it demands explosive scoring and high-risk shots. On the other hand, his technique and temperament are perfectly suited to Test cricket and ODIs,” Panesar explained.

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‘Root is to England what Virat-Rohit are to India’: Kumble

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England’s Answer to Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

India have heavily relied on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for years. England, meanwhile, have relied on just one man whenever the batting has been under pressure: Joseph Edward Root. After Root’s unbeaten 99 against India in the second ODI, former India captain Anil Kumble said: “What Virat and Rohit are for India, Root is for England.”That statement perfectly justifies how far Root has come in his career.“Joe Root gives someone like Harry Brook a lot of comfort. Harry Brook can go out there and play his attacking shots because he knows Joe Root is at the other end. When Root eventually retires, Brook may have to become more responsible, but right now Root allows the younger players to express themselves. The players know that if things become difficult, Joe Root is still there. It’s similar to what Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have meant for India,” Monty Panesar said.That is probably the biggest compliment any batter can receive. When 10 other players and the coaching staff believe that, as long as you are at the crease, anything is possible, you know you have earned that respect. That is exactly what Root has built throughout his career.If Root goes on to break Sachin Tendulkar‘s all-time Test run record, he needs only 1,807 more runs, wins another ICC title, and helps England reclaim the Ashes at home, there will be very little left for him to achieve in international cricket.As Panesar rightly pointed out: “If he does that, it would be the icing on the cake for Joe Root. Winning a World Cup in South Africa would be absolutely massive for him.”For now, Root continues to do what he has done for more than a decade: score runs, frustrate bowlers, and prove that classical batting still has a place in the modern game.

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Tyreek Hill’s Injury Update Has Prediction Markets Buzzing

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Sep 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) is tended to by medical staff after injuring his leg against the New York Jets during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn ImagesSep 29, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) is tended to by medical staff after injuring his leg against the New York Jets during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images

It sounds like Tyreek Hill’s recovery isn’t going great.

In a recent YouTube video, Hill revealed that he had no power in his left leg that was severely injured in late September. Hill dislocated his knee and tore multiple ligaments, including his ACL.

“So it’s about 10 months after doing two surgeries,” Hill said. “My left leg is the one that I injured. I have no power in my left leg, so I’m trying to regain all the power back in my left leg. But it’s one day at a time.”

Hill said that after the injury, he was told he was never able to walk again. But he’s feeling good, and told his audience that “The Cheetah will be back.”

But Kalshi, a popular prediction market that allows users to buy and sell contracts of real-world outcomes, currently has a return to the Miami Dolphins or retirement as the most likely next move for Hill. After this video gained traction, Miami or retirement in Hill’s “next team” market spiked on Kalshi and currently has a 39% chance of happening.

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Kalshi gives Hill a 12% chance of signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, his former team.

Hill is 32. He just led the NFL in receiving yards with the Dolphins in 2023. But Father Time is undefeated, and it sounds like this knee injury is a lot for Hill to fully recover from.

Contracts for Hill’s next team market on Kalshi will settle on December 31, 2026. It currently has just over $308,000 in volume.

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Other listed suitors for Hill include the Chicago Bears, who could use some veteran receiving help for superstar quarterback Caleb Williams on his rookie deal. The Bears have an 8% chance of landing Hill.

The Las Vegas Raiders and New England Patriots share a 6% chance of signing Hill, two more teams with young quarterbacks that could use a veteran. The Washington Commanders have a 3% chance and the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers share a 2% chance of landing Hill.

But right now, the preferred outcome is a return to the Dolphins or retirement.

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The Dolphins could use receiving help after losing Hill to injury and Waddle in a trade with the Denver Broncos. But as they build a new culture around head coach Jeff Haffley, would Miami even be interested in the veteran receiver once he’s fully healthy?

As the Chiefs gear up for another Super Bowl run in a make or break year in Kansas City, they’d probably welcome back Hill a few weeks into the season, giving him a few weeks to gear up. It could be a good value option worth entertaining, especially since the hype is surrounding Hill’s retirement right now.

These receivers don’t retire easy. Remember the end of Dez Bryant’s career? Even Odell Beckham Jr. is still cashing checks from the New York Giants. If Hill can get healthy enough to be cleared, he’ll be back. He’s one of the best remaining free agents, and was a very serviceable WR No. 1 before this injury. But will he play in 2026? That’s the real question. If he does, the Chiefs are the smart play.

He claims he wants to play, and Kansas City might be the right option when he fully recovers from that devastating knee injury.

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Jimmie Johnson reveals the mental shift involved in looking up to Jeff Gordon to eventually becoming a rival

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Jimmie Johnson has opened up about the unique rivalry he shared with Jeff Gordon and explained how his mindset changed from being a young fan to competing against him.

Johnson earned his opportunity in the Cup Series after making his way through off-road racing and two years in the Nationwide (O’Reilly) Series. Gordon helped bring him into the Hendrick Motorsports‘ No. 48 team for the 2002 Cup Series season.

During a recent appearance on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Johnson described how his relationship with Gordon changed over time.

“I was the biggest Jeff Gordon fan growing up. That’s the one die-cast car, like collectible thing I bought was his. And the fact that one day he knew who I was, wow, that’s awesome. And then I get handpicked by him to drive, you know, under the roof of a team that he co-owned,” he said.

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“I introduced him to my wife. He mentored me along the way. And first indirectly, and then directly, as we, as I got up to speed, I was more concerned about where he was on track, what he was doing and all for good reason.”

Gordon and Johnson finished 1-2 11 times before Gordon retired from the Cup Series in 2015, after 24 full-time Cup Seasons with Hendrick.

Meanwhile, Johnson became one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers. He won seven Cup Series championships, including five straight titles from 2006 through 2010.


“He was so kind to share” – Jimmie Johnson on rivaling Jeff Gordon with his ‘lessons’

Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, team owner Rick Hendrick, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. during the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour on January 23, 2013. - Source: GettyKasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, team owner Rick Hendrick, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. during the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour on January 23, 2013. - Source: Getty
Kasey Kahne, Jeff Gordon, team owner Rick Hendrick, Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. during the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Media Tour on January 23, 2013. – Source: Getty

Jimmie Johnson also shared the lessons Jeff Gordon taught him during their run at Hendrick between 2002 and 2015.

“Through a large part of my journey, he was the benchmark. And I had the inside look at all of his data and he was so kind to share with me all of his lessons, not only on the track, but off the track,” Johnson said.

“He’s like, ‘You’ve been racing your whole life. That part’s going to make sense. But when you come to the cup level and drive for this company, the spotlight’s going to hit you. And here’s how we need to build your schedule. Here’s where you need to focus.’ So I’d say the longest rivalry was Jeff.”

Johnson finished his full-time Cup career with Hendrick after the 2020 season. He recorded 83 Cup Series wins. He is now the majority owner of Legacy Motor Club.

The team currently fields two cars for John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones. Johnson has also confirmed plans for Legacy Motor Club to expand to three Cup cars next season.

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