The Minnesota Timberwolves are waiting for LeBron James to make a decision, and they’re not alone. The Wolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors are all in the running to sign James as he sits in free agency, but the biggest voice of all may have been NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who revealed that James must make a decision before the league can release its schedule for the 2026-27 season.
“We have to finish up the schedule and where LeBron plays affects the schedule,” Silver said at a CNBC event on Thursday via The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov. “It will influence how we set the schedule – opening week, Christmas. So I need him to make a decision.”
Wherever James goes will have a massive impact on the schedule. However, the Timberwolves should be a shoo-in for a Christmas game.
The Timberwolves will have a Christmas game regardless of where LeBron James signs
Of course, LeBron getting a Christmas game is a certainty. Since making his holiday debut as a member of the Cavaliers in 2003, he has played in 20 career Christmas games, including a streak of 19 straight games dating back to 2007.
James has also played at a high level on Christmas Day, averaging 26.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists, and he ranks first all-time in total points (525).
James has become the most popular Christmas figure since Santa Claus, so it makes sense that the NBA would wait to see where he lands before announcing its holiday slate.
But even if James spurns the Wolves, they have a great chance to land a holiday showcase.
Anthony Edwards is already an entertaining superstar, but the addition of LaMelo Ball gives the Timberwolves a must-see backcourt that should be featured on national television frequently next season.
The Wolves also had one of the best games on last year’s Christmas slate, falling 142-138 in an overtime loss to the Denver Nuggets. Nikola Jokic’s triple-double (56 points, 15 rebounds, 15 assists) was the headline of that game. But Minnesota brought their own entertainment with Edwards dropping 44 points to help overcome a 14-point deficit at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
In 2024, the Wolves also faced off against the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas Day.
The expectations for this Wolves team should also help them earn the national spotlight, and there are few stages bigger on the NBA calendar than Christmas Day. With or without LeBron, Timberwolves fans should get ready for another exciting game on Christmas.
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