The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially in the books, with Spain beating Argentina 1-0 in the grand final in extra time at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Not long after the game ended, New York Knicks guard Miles McBride took to X to hilariously tell LeBron James that it’s about time now that he makes his free agency decision.
“Final is over… ight Bron it’s your time,” McBride wrote.
Final is over… ight Bron it’s your time pic.twitter.com/HYodpbTUJx
— M11es McBride (@deucemcb11) July 19, 2026
There has been a rumor circulating that James has been waiting for the World Cup to end before announcing his decision. The supposed reason for this is that the 41-year-old doesn’t want to share the spotlight with anyone or anything else. He would want all eyes on him.
McBride has evidently heard this as well and wants James to share the news that the entire basketball world has desperately been waiting to hear for weeks now. The 22-time All-Star had informed the Los Angeles Lakers that he was leaving before free agency began. Nearly three weeks have passed now, and we still don’t know where he is going.
What we do know is that the five leading suitors for James are the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Philadelphia 76ers. It has also been reported that he is likely headed to the Eastern Conference and that the hope is the decision will be made this week.
Now, McBride’s Knicks had shown some interest in James. They weren’t a serious suitor by the looks of it, but that might not have been the case if the 2025-26 season had ended differently.
James’ agent, Rich Paul, said his client would have gone to the Knicks if they hadn’t won the title. It would have been interesting to see him with this group. Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson also didn’t try to recruit James. Brunson made it clear he was leaving all of that to the front office.
Now, if James, who averaged 20.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per game in 2025-26, does head to the East and he’s not coming to the Knicks, McBride might prefer to see him go to the Cavaliers. The 25-year-old is an Ohio native like him. McBride was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended Archbishop Moeller High School in the area.
James, born in Akron, Ohio, going back to his hometown team to finish his incredible career would be fitting. It will be interesting to see if that’s what he decides to do.
As for McBride, this upcoming season could prove to be his last with the Knicks. He is now entering the final year of his three-year, $13 million extension.
McBride averaged 12.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.2 blocks per game for the Knicks in 2025-26. He is eligible for an extension this summer, and it doesn’t look like he’s getting one. With a lot of money tied elsewhere, the Knicks might end up letting him walk in 2027, as they did with another fan favorite in Mitchell Robinson this summer.
