In this weeks 13 Rules: Random NBA Thoughts Steve Purciello dives shares more random NBA thoughts. NBA Free Agency 2026: LeBron James Signs with the 76ers as the Western Conference Reshuffles. Make sure to listen and add the 13 Rules: NBA Random Thoughts podcast the Shot Clock Pod to your list!
This week we look at LeBron James signing and preview some teams in the Western Conference to see who improved and who didn’t.
LeBron James Signs with the 76ers: A Ring-Chasing Decision
LeBron James just announced he will sign with the Philadelphia 76ers. If you listened to last week’s podcast, I spoke about LeBron’s choices. Before I do, I want to say I admire LeBron on the basketball court and definitely believe he is one of the greatest to ever play the game. When I looked at his choices, I saw it this way: Golden State meant he would finish his career with Stephen Curry, and though not winning a title, make a great exit. Miami would probably be the same — no title, but a chance to return to the place he left.
Cleveland would have been the sentimental choice I thought he would take, but the team only had a slight chance at a title. Choosing Philadelphia is quite simply about chasing a ring. LeBron has no prior relationship with the 76ers, but they represent the best shot of his choices to win a title. Read it any way you want, but just remember other greats that have won multiple titles did it with one team — guys like Bill Russell, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
NBA Free Agency 2026 Grades: Western Conference Winners and Losers
San Antonio Spurs: Wemby Extension and Key Offseason Additions
The San Antonio Spurs re-signed Jordan McLaughlin and Harrison Barnes. They also extended Victor Wembanyama‘s contract at a price Wemby wanted. He did not take the full maximum, leaving money for the future when extending Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. The most significant move was signing Tobias Harris as a free agent. Harris is a veteran who will help the team in tough situations, something the Spurs needed this year in the Finals. The Spurs come into next season as the favorites in the West.
Oklahoma City Thunder: Second-Apron Casualties Reshape the Roster
The Oklahoma City Thunder are this year’s victim of the dreaded second apron. They have traded Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe, and most significantly, Lu Dort. This is all because of the tax and the restrictions of the second apron. All three played significant roles on the Thunder. The Thunder will still be a really good team, but I don’t think they have enough to beat the Spurs.
Los Angeles Lakers: Luka’s Team Now, But Did They Improve?
The Los Angeles Lakers made many changes, but it doesn’t look like they got much better. They lost LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard, Deandre Ayton and Jaxon Hayes. They have acquired Zaire Williams, Kevin Looney, Collin Sexton, Quinton Grimes, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jaden Hardy and their big acquisition Walker Kessler, who they paid a great deal for. They also re-signed Austin Reaves. As I said before, the Lakers made a great deal of changes but haven’t improved much, if at all. The one thing they did was make it officially Luka’s team.
Minnesota Timberwolves: LaMelo Ball Trade Changes the Roster’s Identity
The Minnesota Timberwolves made moves that changed their team, but I don’t know if they improved. They traded away Julius Randle, Naz Reid and lost Michael Conley to free agency. They acquired LaMelo Ball and Josh Green. They re-signed Ayo Dosunmu, a player with a nice future, and he will definitely help. The Wolves lost some size, so that will put some pressure on Joan Beringer to develop quickly. He’s a player the Wolves have spoken highly about. The whole key to their success is how the dynamic between Anthony Edwards and Ball works. I think the Wolves will be okay, but not as good as Oklahoma City and San Antonio, though they will be fun to watch.
Denver Nuggets: The West’s Biggest Offseason Mystery
The Denver Nuggets are the mystery team. By that, I mean people are wondering what they are doing. They lost Jonas Valanciunas and Tim Hardaway Jr. They acquired Marvin Bagley and Tyus Jones. Bruce Brown also wasn’t re-signed but hasn’t signed anywhere yet. They hope to re-sign Peyton Watson, who would be a big plus for their team. The Nuggets appear to be slowly fading as a contender and seem to be wasting Nikola Jokic‘s prime.
Houston Rockets: Leadership Additions Aim to Fix Locker Room Issues
The Houston Rockets lost Dorian Finney-Smith but re-signed Jae’Sean Tate and signed Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. They also will have a healthy Fred VanVleet returning from injury. Last year the Rockets appeared leaderless and just didn’t seem to play well together. Smart and the returning VanVleet are leaders that can help the Rockets improve. So much depends on Kevin Durant‘s ability to continue his production — he will be 39 at the start of the 26-27 season.
Phoenix Suns: Small Steps Toward Contention
The Phoenix Suns appear to be improving, but in very small increments. This year they signed Luke Kennard and acquired Miles Bridges in a trade. They lost Grayson Allen and Royce O’Neale in that trade. I wouldn’t consider the Suns a sure-fire top-six team, but they will at least be a play-in team and continue to improve in the tough Western Conference.
Portland Trail Blazers: The Ja Morant Gamble
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Ja Morant for Jerami Grant. This is a big gamble for the Blazers. The team has talent, and if they use it correctly they should be at least a play-in team. The problem is they have five guards all worthy of thirty minutes a night of playing time. New coach Micah Nori must choose a direction, as three of the guards are experienced — Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Morant. The other two, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson, have potential but need to continue to develop. The choices Nori makes with his backcourt will go a long way in determining how well Portland plays.
Golden State Warriors: Aging Core Gets a Youth Injection
The Golden State Warriors re-signed Kristaps Porzingis and DeAnthony Melton this summer. Put them together with the aging Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, add first-round pick Yaxel Landeborg, who played well in summer league, and hopefully a returning Jimmy Butler in January, and it makes them a team that can cause problems on any given night. Golden State’s biggest problem is age and injuries, as you can’t expect their older stars to bring it every night.
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