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LeBron James Could Transform the Warriors or Cavaliers in 2027

Move aside, World Cup. LeBron James is about to shake the sports world.

So far, NBA free agency has fizzled more than an Independence Day dud.

OK, nice move by the Bulls snatching the leader of the B-Listers, Norman Powell. But when Mitchell Robinson, Moe Wagner, John Collins, Dean Wade and Quentin Grimes are the other headliners, you have to ask:

Is this Team Nigeria tryouts, or what?

Alas, the greatest winner in NBA history – you read that right – is about to change things. He’s reportedly making himself available for $15 million for the 2027 season.

Thirty teams should be lining up.

Some aren’t because they believe they don’t need LeBron to win next season. Others think he’d be a bad fit. And then there are the ones who, frankly, aren’t interested in winning right now.

The latter makes sense. The others are just plain idiots.

Even at maybe 80 percent capacity, LeBron James still does a lot of great things. Two stand out even above his winning and double-doubles.

First off, LeBron fits in.

It takes a unique personality to do what Kevin Durant accomplished when he joined Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green with the Warriors in 2017. Criticize him for moving around, but it’s helped LeBron demonstrate he’s fully capable of being a good teammate, never more so than not rocking Luka Doncic’s boat with the Lakers.

You need a rugged rebounder? Few are ruggeder than him. A big man to run the court? Even at 41 (42 by New Year’s Eve), he can still motor. A 3-point shooter, difference-making defender, unselfish ball distributor, guy you want taking the last shot?

He’s built the NBA’s greatest all-time resume doing all that.

And secondly, he’s a leader.

The real-time legend is equal parts mentor for young talent and inspirational voice for guys who think they’ve been there and done that. That’s why he’d be the perfect addition to the Spurs. Or the Pistons. Or the Rockets. Or about a half-dozen other championship dreamers who might be one real good player away from preventing the Thunder from a successful revenge tour next season.

It sounds like “The Decision II” is coming down to the Warriors and Cavaliers. Lucky them.

The Warriors are the most desperate and, at the same time, the most intriguing. Imagine showing up for your first playoff game, a higher seed inspired by a raucous home crowd, and a Fantastic Five reunion rolls out of the visitors’ tunnel with LeBron, Curry, Green, Jimmy Butler and Al Horford.

Guessing the music would stop.

Golden State, which didn’t even make the playoffs last season, still might not be good enough to beat a handful of teams in the top-heavy West. But that’s another great thing about LeBron.

He’s a magnet.

The Warriors not only need LeBron, they also need a buddy or two. It’s no coincidence that the initial report of Golden State’s interest included Anthony Davis’ name. That’s the kind of clout LeBron has.

That might be wishful thinking, but frankly, the Warriors might be better off if LeBron brought one of his little pals. This team is seriously lacking in defensive-capable guards, so maybe Russell Westbrook agrees to come along.

Without question, the Warriors’ twice-prematurely-ended dynasty would be a serious candidate to extend a year or two.

Cleveland is a different animal. He’d be a great story there, where he’s won with far less talent than Bill Russell ever had, then returned to do it again like Michael Jordan did with a vastly superior supporting cast.

Nobody has put more teams in championship contention with lottery-laden histories than LeBron, and Cleveland is where most of it happened. Consider: The Cavaliers have been in existence 56 years. They made at least the Eastern finals six times in 11 years with LeBron. In the other 45 seasons … three times.

(Want to make a similar comparison in Heat history? In 38 seasons: Four trips to the NBA Finals in four years with LeBron, three in 34 years without LeBron.)

But could he do it again in today’s Cleveland, where the Cavaliers were last heard saying they were content to move forward with the same star-studded cast that was eight wins from last year’s title?

Signing LeBron on the cheap could mean not hesitating to deal out-of-place Evan Mobley and his bloated contract for guard help. Hello, Kyrie Irving?

No doubt, the Cavaliers are more ready to win – and win again – than the Warriors. But here’s where Golden State has the advantage: It doesn’t employ James Harden.

No disrespect to the future Hall of Famer, but Harden is an offensive play-through. A ball-stopper who keeps the leather from reaching LeBron. He’s a poor man’s Doncic – and we see how that worked out in LA.

Even with all of LeBron’s greatness, he couldn’t put team and Harden in the same sentence. The Cavaliers would be left praying Harden would agree to move on as a free agent.

And therein could lie the difference-maker: LeBron would be a talent adder with the Warriors, a talent subtractor with the Cavaliers.

Three-peating in his ability to lead the Cavaliers to unforeseen greatness would be a wonderful final chapter in LeBron’s best-seller. But the path to another ring or two – even if it began with scattered boos for a lifetime nemesis – appears smoother in San Francisco.

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Oilers sign Cup-winning G Frederik Andersen to 1-year deal

Jun 20, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) holds up the Stanley Cup trophy during the Stanley Cup championship parade and rally at Raleigh. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn ImagesJun 20, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) holds up the Stanley Cup trophy during the Stanley Cup championship parade and rally at Raleigh. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Goaltender Frederik Andersen, who went 13-2 during the Carolina Hurricanes’ run to the Stanley Cup title last month, joined the Edmonton Oilers on a one-year, $2.8 million deal on Wednesday.

Andersen, 36, received an incentive-laden contract with Edmonton, which hopes the veteran backstop can bring stability between the pipes to the perennial Cup contender.

According to multiple media reports, his deal with the Oilers will carry only a $1 million salary cap hit in the 2026-27 season and includes a potential $1.8 million in bonuses, based on how many games he plays during the regular season and his postseason success rate.

Edmonton already has veteran goaltender Tristan Jarry, who had a tough regular season (.857 save percentage) after coming over in a Dec. 12 trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers picked up another goalie, 24-year-old Devon Levi, in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.

Andersen, who posted a stellar 1.89 goals-against average with a .910 save percentage in 16 playoff games, revealed after the Stanley Cup Final victory over the Vegas Golden Knights that he had injured his knee earlier in the series. Rookie Brandon Bussi took over and was a major factor in the team’s first Cup title since 2006.

During the 2025-26 regular season, Andersen posted a 16-14-5 mark, a 3.05 GAA and an .874 save percentage in his fifth season with Carolina.

A 2012 third-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks, Andersen is 324-149-58 in 552 games (538 starts) in 13 seasons with the Ducks (2013-16), Toronto Maple Leafs (2016-21) and Carolina (2021-2026). Over his career, the Denmark native has a 2.59 GAA and a .913 save percentage.

–Field Level Media

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Phil Mickelson dismisses misconduct expose as 'click-bait narrative'

Phil Mickelson of Team HyFlyers GC reacts to the cheers of his fans as he walks up to the fourth green during the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship semifinals at The Cardinal at St. John’s in Plymouth on Saturday, August 23, 2025.Phil Mickelson of Team HyFlyers GC reacts to the cheers of his fans as he walks up to the fourth green during the LIV Golf Michigan Team Championship semifinals at The Cardinal at St. John’s in Plymouth on Saturday, August 23, 2025.

Days after an article by Skratch Golf asserted that Phil Mickelson was kicked out of three golf clubs for inappropriate interaction with women and propositioned another woman by displaying a nude photo, the golfer denied all of the allegations.

Mickelson’s representatives issued a statement to The (New York) Post on Wednesday, describing the Skratch article as an “anonymously sourced drive-by shooting” focused on creating “a compelling, click-bait narrative over an accurate one.”

Last month, Golf Digest reported that Mickelson had his membership revoked at The Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., because of alleged nonconsensual and inappropriate physical contact with a female club employee.

Skratch reported that, in addition to The Farms, Mickelson is no longer welcome at The Madison Club in La Quinta, Calif., and at The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe.

Skratch cited anonymous sources saying Amy Mickelson, Phil’s wife, was in part responsible for the clubs ousting him.

Ashley Perez, the ex-wife of golfer Pat Perez, also told Skratch that Mickelson showed her a nude photo of himself in 2015 and told her to come see him after Pat Perez fell asleep.

The statement from Mickelson’s representation read, in part, “Mr. Mickelson has never been expelled from a golf club. His membership has never been revoked by a golf club. Those decisions were his alone.”

Mickelson’s team also stated that the Skratch article misstated the golfer’s interaction with Ashley Perez, adding, “Mr. Mickelson’s willingness to apologize for his conduct should not be misconstrued as an admission of every allegation made against him.”

The statement also noted that Skratch is affiliated with the PGA Tour, the organization Mickelson left to join the fledgling LIV Golf in 2022.

“None of those relationships mean Skratch cannot report independently,” the statement read. “They do, however, create a corporate relationship that reasonable readers may consider relevant when evaluating an extensive investigation into Phil Mickelson, one of the most consequential players ever to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf.”

Skratch’s editor in chief, Ben Boskovich, told The Post that Mickelson and his representatives were given an opportunity to reply to the allegations before the article was published but declined to do so.

Boskovich added, “It’s bizarre that (Mickelson’s team) is now challenging our reporting through The New York Post. Skratch Golf stands by its reporting.”

Mickelson, 56, won the Masters in 2004, 2026 and 2010; the PGA Championship in 2005 and 2021; and the Open Championship in 2013. He registered 45 wins during his time on the PGA Tour.

–Field Level Media

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MLB roundup: Cubs belt 8 homers, pound Padres 23-3

Jul 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson points after he hits a three-run home run  against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesJul 1, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson points after he hits a three-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

Dansby Swanson hit three home runs and Michael Conforto hit two as the host Chicago Cubs hammered the San Diego Padres 23-3 on Wednesday.

The Cubs, who had not hit more than three homers in a game all season heading into the series, hit five on Tuesday in a 9-7 win and eight on Wednesday to sweep the series and win their fifth straight contest. Seiya Suzuki, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael Busch also homered for the Cubs, who tied a franchise record for long balls in a game.

Swanson, who had a career-high eight RBIs, has five homers in the past two games and nine home runs in his last 13 games. Colin Rea (6-5) was the beneficiary of all the Cubs’ power, giving up two runs and six hits in five innings.

The Padres lost their fifth straight game while sustaining the worst defeat in franchise history. They previously lost by 19 runs on three occasions (twice in 1969, once in 2005). Walker Buehler (5-4) gave up a career-high nine runs on seven hits in four innings.

Rays 4, Royals 0

Junior Caminero became the youngest player in major league history to homer in six consecutive games, socking a two-run shot in the first, and Shane McClanahan allowed three hits over six strong innings as visiting Tampa Bay beat Kansas City for its seventh straight win.

At 22 years, 361 days old, Caminero topped a mark set by then-23-year-old Ken Griffey Jr. with his ninth home run in the past eight games. Cedric Mullins added a solo shot and an RBI single while Taylor Walls had three hits for the Rays, who matched their longest winning streak of 2026. McClanahan (7-5) yielded three singles, did not walk a batter and struck out four.

The Royals have lost six of seven, including four straight against the Rays. Jac Caglianone had two of the Royals’ six hits. Seth Lugo gave up three runs on nine hits in six innings.

Twins 8, Astros 3

Josh Bell, Kody Clemens and Luke Keaschall belted home runs while Taj Bradley matched his career high for strikeouts as visiting Minnesota claimed the rubber match of its three-game series against Houston.

Bell extended his career-best road hitting streak to 16 games with a two-run blast in the first inning before Clemens socked a three-run homer an inning later. Bradley (7-3) worked five innings and allowed four hits and one run. He fanned 11.

Astros right-hander Tatsuya Imai (5-4) allowed five runs on four hits and five walks over 1 1/3 innings, marking his third start of fewer than two innings.

Orioles 6, White Sox 1

Dean Kremer pitched six strong innings in his return from the injured list, and Baltimore avoided a three-game sweep by defeating visiting Chicago.

Tyler O’Neill and Leody Taveras each homered as the Orioles made good use of seven hits to snap a four-game losing streak. Blaze Alexander had two hits, including a run-scoring triple. Kremer (1-1), who hadn’t pitched in the big leagues since April 18 as he recovered from a quadriceps injury, held the White Sox to one run on four hits.

Sam Antonacci homered for one of Chicago’s four hits. He also had a single, but the White Sox lost for just the third time in their last nine games. Starter Noah Schultz, also fresh off the injured list, went 4 1/3 innings and was charged with three runs on two hits.

Phillies 10, Pirates 6

Trea Turner homered for the third straight game as Philadelphia hammered Paul Skenes and the visiting Pirates.

Brandon Marsh and Alec Bohm also hit home runs for the Phillies, who tagged Skenes (6-8) for eight runs, seven earned, in four innings. The reigning National League Cy Young Award winner had never allowed more than five runs in any of his first 72 major league starts.

Jared Triolo drove in three runs, and Nick Gonzales had three hits and an RBI for the Pirates. Henry Davis homered in a losing effort.

Nationals 10, Red Sox 2

Andres Chaparro and Nasim Nunez hit their first home runs of the season and James Wood added a three-run shot as visiting Washington rolled past Boston.

Chaparro’s two-run shot in the first inning and Nunez’s fourth-inning solo shot were all that Washington needed to claim the series. Four Nationals had multi-hit games, while Wood, Chaparro and Luis Garcia Jr. each drove in multiple runs. Andrew Alvarez (2-1) allowed two hits over 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Washington had a 13-9 hits advantage. Three Red Sox players had multi-hit games, but Boston pitchers issued a combined 10 walks.

Tigers 6, Yankees 2 (11 innings)

Zach McKinstry ripped a bases-loaded two-run single off Camilo Doval to highlight a four-run 11th inning for Detroit, which completed a three-game sweep with a victory at New York.

The Tigers completed their first road sweep of the Yankees since 2008 after Detroit reliever Drew Anderson blew a two-run lead in the ninth. Spencer Torkelson gave the Tigers the lead in the 11th by working a walk before McKinstry delivered on a 1-1 cutter from Doval (3-1).

The Yankees, who totaled seven hits, are on their first seven-game skid since losing nine straight from Aug. 12-22, 2023. New York fell to 4-10 in its past 14 meetings with the Tigers.

Blue Jays 9, Mets 3

Sean Keys hit a three-run blast for his first career major league home run and Toronto defeated visiting New York in the decisive match of the three-game series played on Canada Day.

The Blue Jays finished a disappointing 3-7 homestand. The Mets were outhit 12-5 to start 1-2 on their seven-game road trip.

Carson Benge hit a two-run homer for the Mets and Francisco Lindor had a solo shot. Starter Freddy Peralta allowed five runs on seven hits in four innings.

Braves 5, Cardinals 1

Ozzie Albies hit a home run and Atlanta pitchers retired the final 20 batters as the Braves beat visiting St. Louis.

Atlanta ended a three-game losing streak and evened the three-game series at one game apiece. Albies went 2-for-4, scored two runs and had two RBIs. Braves starter Reynaldo Lopez (4-1) threw five innings and allowed one run on two hits, all coming in the first inning.

St. Louis starter Michael McGreevy (3-7) tossed six innings and allowed two runs on three hits. The Cardinals’ offense managed just the two hits.

Guardians 9, Rangers 4

David Fry belted a three-run homer to highlight a five-run second inning, fueling host Cleveland to a victory over Texas.

Austin Hedges launched a two-run homer and Chase DeLauter had an RBI single among his three hits to help the Guardians salvage the finale of their three-game series. Joey Cantillo (7-3) allowed two runs on three hits in five innings to improve to 3-0 in his past four starts.

Elias Diaz launched a solo homer, Nicky Lopez ripped a two-run double and Ezequiel Duran collected three hits for the Rangers, who saw their six-game winning streak end. MacKenzie Gore (5-7) permitted five runs on seven hits in five innings.

Brewers 4, Reds 2

Garrett Mitchell capped a 4-for-4 game with a tiebreaking RBI triple in the seventh inning, leading host Milwaukee past Cincinnati.

Mitchell’s two-out triple into the left-center-field gap gave the Brewers a 3-2 lead. Mitchell then scored on a wild pitch from Brock Burke (3-4). Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby (12-1) increased his major-league-leading win total as he tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings. Trevor Megill pitched around a double in the ninth for his 12th save.

Noelvi Marte hit a two-run homer for the Reds, who took their fourth loss in a row. Reds starter Andrew Abbott allowed two runs and five hits in five innings with five walks.

Rockies 6, Marlins 3

Mickey Moniak doubled, tripled and homered for Colorado in a win over Miami at Denver.

Hunter Goodman and Kyle Karros also homered for the Rockies, who had lost three in a row. Kyle Freeland (2-7) earned his first win since April 7 by limiting the Marlins to two runs and six hits over five innings.

Joe Mack hit an inside-the-park home run and Liam Hicks had two hits and scored a run for Miami, which had won two in a row and six of seven. Max Meyer’s bid to win his first 10 decisions this season was derailed by four unearned runs in the fourth. Meyer (9-1) allowed five runs (one earned) and six hits over six innings.

Giants 6, Diamondbacks 4

San Francisco finally broke through against Arizona, riding home runs from Heliot Ramos and Victor Bericoto to a victory in Phoenix.

Trevor McDonald (3-6) threw six shutout innings for the Giants, who had dropped their first eight matchups with the Diamondbacks this season. Caleb Kilian breezed through a 1-2-3 ninth for his seventh save.

Despite seeing his run of four straight games with a homer end, Ketel Marte had an RBI double and a single for the Diamondbacks. Zac Gallen (3-8) permitted six runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Athletics 7, Dodgers 1

Jonah Heim, Shea Langeliers and Alika Williams hit homers and J.T. Ginn pitched six solid innings to help the Athletics cruise past Los Angeles in West Sacramento, Calif.

Heim drove in two runs, and he, Langeliers, Nick Kurtz, Joshua Kuroda-Grauer and Henry Bolte each had two hits for the Athletics, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Ginn (7-4) gave up one run and three hits.

Freddie Freeman homered and Miguel Rojas had two hits for the Dodgers, who finished a 7-2 road trip. Los Angeles had just five hits after totaling 18 runs and 31 hits while winning the first two games of the three-game series. Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-5 with two strikeouts.

–Field Level Media

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