NBA schedule release remains on track after LeBron James decision

LeBron James finally made his decision. Now the NBA can finish making some of its own.

Sources tell Hoops Wire that the 2026-27 regular season schedule is still expected to be completed on time despite the league waiting on James before locking in some of its marquee games.

That became an actual issue earlier this month when NBA commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged that James’ free agency was holding up portions of the schedule.

“Where LeBron plays will affect the schedule,” Silver said at the CNBC Sport x Boardroom Game Plan Summit on July 16. “So I would like him to make his announcement already, so we can finish the schedule.”

Silver specifically mentioned opening week and Christmas Day as dates that could be influenced by James’ destination. Networks and teams were also calling the league looking for answers, he said.

Well, everyone has one now. James announced Friday that he’s signing with the 76ers, ending nearly a month of speculation and giving the NBA another major Eastern Conference attraction to work into its national television plans.

The league generally releases its full schedule in August. Last year’s 2025-26 schedule was unveiled on Aug. 14, with opening night set for Oct. 21.

Despite the unusual delay involving James, sources indicate there’s no expectation at this point that the NBA will have to significantly alter its usual schedule-release timetable.

Of course, Philadelphia just became considerably more interesting to the league’s television partners.

James joins Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown and Tyrese Maxey on a Sixers team that will face the defending champion Knicks in the Atlantic Division. Then there are the obvious possibilities involving James’ former teams, including the Cavaliers, Heat and Lakers.

Eight days ago, Silver jokingly asked James to hurry up. He finally did. Now the schedule-makers can, too.