LAS VEGAS \u2014 NBA free agency drags on \u2014 apparently just like LeBron James wants it to \u2014 and the rumor mill keeps churning. Here is the latest, including about LeBron and his next destination.<\/p>\n
LeBron nearing decision?<\/p>\n
The vibe in Las Vegas and at Summer League has shifted in the last 48 hours from \u201cLeBron can just be LeBron and take his time\u201d to more of a \u201cmake a decision so the teams involved \u2014 and everyone else \u2014 can move on.\u201d Or, maybe that\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
LeBron has been reaching out to players on the teams he is considering, reports ESPN\u2019s Brian Windhors<\/a>t. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Officially, until LeBron makes the call, everything is still in play. Hopefully that call comes soon.<\/p>\n One quick additional note: Don\u2019t expect LeBron\u2019s son, Bronny James, to instantly go wherever dad does, reports Dan Woike at The Athletic<\/a>. 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Miami eyeing Thompson, DeRozan<\/p>\n From the \u201ctrying to move on to other business category,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n One of them is Klay Thompson, reports Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald<\/a>. 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.<\/p>\n There is a belief that if the Mavericks can\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Peyton Watson interest increasing<\/p>\n Peyton Watson is drawing a lot of interest for two reasons: 1) Every team could use more two-way athletic wings, it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Denver is asking for something similar to what Utah just got for Walker Kessler \u2014 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s something to watch.<\/p>\n Other free agency notes<\/p>\n \u2022 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.<\/p>\n