Latest LeBron Rumors on 76ers, Heat, Nuggets, T-Wolves' Pursuit amid Cavs Buzz After Lakers Decision

While star forward LeBron James could be eyeing a return to the Cleveland Cavaliers after his departure from the Los Angeles Lakers, other teams are reportedly continuing their pursuit of the prized free agent.

During Monday's episode of the ALL NBA podcast (11:25 mark), NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves all "are operating under the belief... that they're still in the game."

On Saturday, Stein and Jake Fischer reported that there's a "growing belief" from people around the league that James will return to the Cavs, who drafted him in 2003. The Akron, Ohio, native left for the Miami Heat in 2010 before returning to Cleveland in 2014 and leading his hometown team to its first NBA championship in 2016. He signed with the Lakers in 2018 and remained in Los Angeles for the last eight seasons.

James' agent, Rich Paul, revealed during Friday's episode of his Game Over podcast that the 22-time All-Star has a multitude of options to weigh before deciding on his landing spot for his 24th NBA season. In addition to the Cavs, Sixers, Heat, Nuggets and Timberwolves, Paul named the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs as potential destinations for James.

Stein indicated that things could heat up later this week when all 30 teams convene in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League, but there doesn't appear to be a timetable for James to make his decision.

"The whole league will be in Vegas by Thursday, the whole NBA will be there by Thursday, and you do have to wonder: will all of this continue to play out among reports by ESPN, The Athletic and pests like me? Or will we get a surprise appearance from King James? I don't know," Stein said.