LAS VEGAS — NBA free agency drags on — apparently just like LeBron James wants it to — and the rumor mill keeps churning. Here is the latest, including about LeBron and his next destination.
LeBron nearing decision?
The vibe in Las Vegas and at Summer League has shifted in the last 48 hours from “LeBron can just be LeBron and take his time” to more of a “make a decision so the teams involved — and everyone else — can move on.” Or, maybe that’s just me. Either way, there are multiple reports that LeBron is getting closer to a decision, but when that might land remains up in the air.
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LeBron has been reaching out to players on the teams he is considering, reports ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. It’s known that LeBron was spending time with Draymond Green, but be careful not to read too much into it. League sources NBC Sports has spoken with still think all signs point to Cleveland as the destination, but other reputable reports have Miami and Philadelphia in the mix as well.
Officially, until LeBron makes the call, everything is still in play. Hopefully that call comes soon.
One quick additional note: Don’t expect LeBron’s son, Bronny James, to instantly go wherever dad does, reports Dan Woike at The Athletic. After a couple of years of work, Bronny has developed into a player who looks like he could someday be an NBA rotation player. He has taken big strides to get there, and while there’s a long way to go, the Lakers have been impressed and like him. They reportedly are not looking just to dump him wherever Dad goes.
Miami eyeing Thompson, DeRozan
From the “trying to move on to other business category,” we bring you the Miami Heat, one of the finalists for LeBron, but they are also looking into other options to round out their roster as well.
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One of them is Klay Thompson, reports Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Thompson, 36, averaged 11.7 points per game last season, shooting 38.3% from 3-point range, both career lows. Thompson is owed $17.5 million next season in the final year of his contract, and it would be tough for Miami to trade for that deal without giving up some of its already thin depth around Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo. Miami could offer Nikola Jovic, and the money works, but the Serbian forward is coming off a down season and is under contract for four years at $64 million, which may be more long-term money than Dallas wants back on its books.
There is a belief that if the Mavericks can’t find a trade this offseason they might buy out and waive Thompson, making him a free agent, which works for the Heat, but Dallas understandably is looking for a better return for themselves.
The Heat also have had conversations with Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal but are not aggressively pursuing either at this point, according to the report.
Miami is also reportedly interested in free agent DeMar DeRozan as a fallback if LeBron chooses to go elsewhere, and other teams on his list are thinking the same thing, Jackson and Chiang at the Herald report. Something to watch whenever LeBron gets around to announcing his decision.
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Peyton Watson is drawing a lot of interest for two reasons: 1) Every team could use more two-way athletic wings, it’s the most in-demand position in the league; 2) He is available as a restricted free agent, the Nuggets will talk sign-and-trade, but the price is steep.
Denver is asking for something similar to what Utah just got for Walker Kessler — two first-round picks and two swaps, plus matching salary at around $25 million a year on average, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
The Clippers and Hawks reportedly have been interested in Watson but have balked at the asking price. Now we can add the Bucks to the list, reports Stein. The matching salary part for the Bucks is easy, Kyle Kuzma could work (the Bucks are under the salary cap and can take back more than they send out by a few million easy), but does a rebuilding Milwaukee team want to give up all those picks? Unlikely, but it’s something to watch.
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Other free agency notes
• Austin Reaves signed his four-year, $180 million extension with the Lakers, but that was about $5 million less than was originally reported. Reaves took a little less to help the Lakers maintain some future financial flexibility, according to reports.
• The Spurs will re-sign Jordan McLaughlin to a new one-year contract, his agent told Shams Charania of ESPN. That deal will be for the minimum and likely is not fully guaranteed.
• Don’t be surprised if former Pelicans coach Willie Green signs on to Dusty May’s new staff in Dallas, Marc Stein reports. Multiple teams, including the Warriors, talked to Green about an assistant role.
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• Former All-Star Victor Oladipo hosted an open workout for teams in Las Vegas this week, hoping to find his way back into the league. Once one of the top two guards in the game, he last played in the league for the Heat in 2023.
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