National Basketball Association

2014 NBA free-agency rumors roundup — recapping every day

Published Jul. 2, 2014 3:42 a.m. ET

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Recapping the 2014 NBA free-agency rumors, comings and goings.

THURSDAY, JULY 10   |  WEDNESDAY, JULY 9   |  TUESDAY, JULY 8   |  MONDAY, JULY 7  |  SUNDAY, JULY 6  |  SATURDAY, JULY 5   |  FRIDAY, JULY 4  |  THURSDAY, JULY 3  |  WEDNESDAY, JULY 2  |   TUESDAY, JULY 1  |   MONDAY, JUNE 30

THURSDAY

UPDATE (Thursday, 11:20 p.m. ET): LeBron still hasn't made any announcements on where he's going, but according to ESPN's Chris Broussard, he still has a couple people he needs to speak to before any decision is made public.

Broussard also reports that the Cavs are pursuing a couple of LeBron's favorite sharpshooters as well: Ray Allen and Mike Miller. Allen, 39, was contemplating retirement after losing with James in the Finals, but reportedly is reconsidering. Both he and Miller would have to agree to reduced salaries or the Cavs would have to clear more cap room.

Dwyane Wade was seen entering LeBron's skills camp in Vegas today, but it's not determined whether he was there to influence James to come to Miami. LeBron missed the night session at the camp. Heading home to make a big announcement in the morning? According to FOX Sports Ohio, Cleveland feels pretty good when it comes to what LeBron will choose to do (despite this unwise old owl at Cleveland's zoo).

Back in the Cleveland area, it apparently was another crazy day outside LeBron's house. After all the speculation over the trucks moving the King's cars out of his Miami home, there reportedly was so much traffic in his Ohio neighborhood on Thursday that there was an accident.

• More indecision: Phil Jackson says the Knicks still are waiting for a decision from Carmelo Anthony. "I expected one yesterday and the day before yesterday,'' Jackson said Thursday.

• According to Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, free agent Isaiah Thomas made a stop in Phoenix to speak with the Suns and free agent James Johnson inked a two-year deal with Toronto.

UPDATE (Thursday, 3:30 p.m. ET): The pressure for Cleveland to free up cap space to potentially sign LeBron has heated up.

• Point guard Steve Blake will be returning to the Trail Blazers after reaching an agreement for two years and $4.2 million. Chris Kaman, who was Blake's teammate on the Lakers last season, also is joining Portland for two years and $9.8 million. Proof it pays to be 7 feet tall.

• Other players who signed today: Kyrie Irving, Cavs (5 years, $90 million); Kyle Lowry, Raptors (4 years, $48M); Marcin Gortat (5 years, $60M); Thabo Sefolosha, Hawks (3 years, $12M); Jordan Farmar (2 years, $4.2M) and Spencer Hawes (4 years, $23M), Clippers; P.J. Tucker, Suns (3 years, $16.5M).

• The Utah Jazz acquired veteran sharpshooter Steve Novak and a 2017 second-round pick from Toronto in exchange for guard Diante Garrett.

UPDATE (Thursday, 3 a.m. ET): With July 10 here, players officially can sign new contracts or offer sheets, and Chandler Parsons was among the first to do so, signing an offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks for three years and more than $45 million. The Houston Rockets have three days to match the offer. But they'll have a hard time matching the swag of Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who apparently had Parsons sign while hangin' in the club.

• The Utah Jazz will match Gordon Hayward's $63 million offer sheet, according to Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, but might take the full three days to notify the Charlotte Hornets.

• The San Antonio Spurs are a serious contender to sign Pau Gasol, sources told Wojnarowski — and they'd be a serious contender to repeat as NBA champs with a front court of Gasol and Tim Duncan.

WEDNESDAY

UPDATE (Wednesday, 11:30 p.m. ET): LeBron James and his agent Rich Paul won't meet with any more teams after Wednesday's meeting with Pat Riley and the Heat, according to reports, and James is expected to talk with family for at least a day before making a decision.

But for Wednesday afternoon, James already was back in action at his basketball camp in Las Vegas after meeting with Riley. He played with his former high school teammates and watched a spur-of-the-moment one-on-one duel between Damon Jones and Tim Hardaway.

Earlier in the day, with rumors swirling about James’ potential return to Cleveland, hoops fans started salivating when ESPN’s Jorge Sedano tweeted a picture of exotic car transportation trucks outside of James' house.

But folks assuming this was proof that LeBron's moving may have jumped the gun, as former Palm Beach Post writer Ethan J. Skolnick reminded everyone.

Ethan J. Skolnick        ✔ @EthanJSkolnick Follow

I can say this now, unequivocally: LeBron James moves his cars every summer.

UPDATE (Wednesday, 10:30 p.m. ET): The Rockets made it clear that if they signed Carmelo Anthony, they'd have to trade Jeremy Lin to clear cap space. Well, apparently that also applies to their pursuit of Chris Bosh.

SB Nation 76ers blog Liberty Ballers reported that if the Rockets land Bosh, reportedly for $88 million over four years, they will ship Lin to Philadelphia.

UPDATE (Wednesday, 10:20 p.m. ET): In an update to a previous report, FOX Sports Southwest's Mike Fisher confirmed Rockets restricted-free-agent forward Chandler Parsons and the Dallas Mavericks have agreed on the terms of an offer sheet.

Earlier, Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported the terms of the deal to be $46 million over three years. According to Fisher, the Mavericks intend to get the offer sheet signed as soon as the NBA's moratorium on signings is lifted at 12:01 a.m. ET on Thursday, or 11:01 p.m. Dallas time Wednesday night. The Rockets then have three days to match the offer sheet.

UPDATE (Wednesday, 7:15 p.m. ET): After he was courted by the Bulls, Rockets and Lakers, it is being reported that Carmelo Anthony plans to head back to the Knicks after all, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski offered some tweets to support that, and he cited sources as suggesting that a 'Melo move to Miami to join LeBron is unlikely.

Adrian Wojnarowski        ✔ @WojYahooNBA Follow

Several days ago -- and maybe it's changed since but... -- 'Melo hadn't even been able to reach LeBron James, sources tell Yahoo.

Adrian Wojnarowski        ✔ @WojYahooNBA Follow

Carmelo Anthony hadn't been a part of any scenario about joining James in Miami, sources tell Yahoo. @FisolaNYDN reports he's staying in NY.

Adrian Wojnarowski        ✔ @WojYahooNBA Follow

Within Anthony's circle, belief's been this, sources tell Y: Get NY's $129M now, figure out destination later. You can always get a trade.

As for the biggest fish of them all, LeBron James? Well, Wojnarowski reports that his meeting with the Miami Heat in Las Vegas on Wednesday wasn't very fruitful.

At least one outlet went further, reporting that James has decided to return to the Cavs. But others, including FOX Sports Ohio, are saying there's no decision (part two?) yet.

According to FOX Sports Ohio, the Cavaliers have talked with LeBron's agent about some potential scenarios that might involve getting Minnesota T-wolves star Kevin Love to come to Cleveland. According to Wojnarowski, that would require the Cavs to sign LeBron.

Anthony, James and all other free agents can sign contracts and offer sheets as early as Thursday. Rockets star Chandler Parsons is expected to be one of those players after reportedly agreeing to an offer sheet from the Dallas Mavericks. Will the Rockets match?

UPDATE (Wednesday, 11:20 a.m. ET): As we wait with baited breath for the first shoe to drop in NBA free agency, the rumor mill is busy at work. The latest water-cooler chatter comes from the NY Post, citing a source that claims Carmelo Anthony is waiting to see whether the Knicks can make enough room to sign LeBron James before Melo inks his max contract. James spurned the Knicks once when he went to Miami in 2010, but the allure of playing with Anthony – either in New York or Miami – might be enough to get The King’s attention. It looks like Cleveland is also trying to lure James back home, making room with this reported three-team deal. Stay tuned.

UPDATE (Wednesday, 1:03 a.m. ET): The Charlotte Hornets reportedly spent Monday and Tuesday hosting restricted free agent Gordon Hayward, and now an offer sheet is on the table, according to Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski:

Adrian Wojnarowski        ✔ @WojYahooNBA Follow

Charlotte has agreed to a 4-year, $63M maximum offer sheet with Utah RFA Gordon Hayward, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.

Adrian Wojnarowski        ✔ @WojYahooNBA Follow

Utah's insisted it will match any offer sheet for Hayward, but bold move out of MIchael Jordan. Charlotte is desperate for talent infusion.

Hayward reportedly turned down a four-year, $48 million offer to return to the Jazz, and Utah officials have indicated they’d match any team’s offer sheet for the 6-foot-8 forward. The Hornets were likely keen to land Hayward after losing veteran forward Josh McRoberts to the Miami Heat on Monday. Hayward averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds last season.

• The Boston Celtics still are interested in trading for Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love, but the two sides have not spoken in more than a week, sources told the Boston Herald. The stalled talks are not really a setback, according to the Herald, as the Celtics’ offer and the Wolves’ desires are generally known and remain the same.

TUESDAY

UPDATE (Tuesday, 7:24 p.m. ET): On an otherwise slow day in the free agency rumor mill, one big nugget arose from Chris Sheridan of sheridanhoops.com. Sheridan, who previously covered the NBA for ESPN and The Associated Press, reports a "plugged-in source" has told him that LeBron James' return to Cleveland is a near certainty, placing the odds at whopping 90 percent. And if LeBron does decide to return to the Cavs, the announcement won't likely be coming via an elaborate ESPN production, but rather LeBron's own website, lebronjames.com. Sheridan said the same source on Monday had pegged LeBron's chances of returning to Cleveland at 75 percent. So, according to this source at least, LeBron is leaning toward heading home and not returning to Miami (or joining Al-Qaeda).

Sheridan points out that LeBron's main goal is to establish a legacy, and "a chance to deliver the city of Cleveland its first championship in any sport since 1964 is too much of a legacy opportunity for James to pass up." Sheridan also took to Twitter to defend his post:

Chris Sheridan        ✔ @sheridanhoops Follow

.@FearTheSword I do not take my journalistic reputation lightly. Spent 25 years building it. Not going to flush it with a BS story.

UPDATE (Tuesday, 10 a.m. ET): If Dan Gilbert truly is pitching LeBron James on a return to Cleveland, the Cavs owner reportedly has a lot of high-powered help in his corner.

As in the kind of help to which the King would probably listen.

LeBron's wife Savannah wants him to return to Cleveland, according to veteran NBA writer Chris Sheridan, whose source also tells him that James' agent Rich Paul and close adviser Maverick Carter also are in agreement about Cleveland, as well. What's more, this storyline seems to be gaining steam by the day. Could the Heat quickly go from the Big Three and an expected dynasty to an old Dwyane Wade and lots of cap room?

• With respect to the league's other big-ticket free agent, Carmelo Anthony is torn among three teams: the Knicks, Lakers and Bulls, sources tell Frank Isola of the New York Daily News. Despite the fact the Knicks reportedly offered Anthony about $30 million more than the Lakers — and $50 mill more than the Bulls — 'Melo apparently isn't sold on staying in New York. So just how strong was the Lakers' pitch?

But wait, it gets better: Isola said there's even a scenario in which LeBron lets Chris Bosh return home to Houston (reportedly for four years, $88M!) and then re-signs and replaces his Big Three buddy with 'Melo.

• LeBron's wife may not be the only better half helping shape these decisions, as numerous reports have stated that Anthony's wife, reality-TV star LaLa Anthony, is reportedly just fine with making their offseason home of Los Angeles their permanent residence.

• The Knicks may be looking to do a little addition by subtraction, discussing a deal to send Amare Stoudemire and Iman Shumpert to the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN's Stephen A. Smith.

* * * * * * * * * *

MONDAY

UPDATE (Monday, 8 p.m. ET): All eyes seem to be fixed on Miami and Cleveland as free egency's first week winds down, with the league — and many big-name free agents — in the same position they were in when free agency opened: waiting on LeBron James. A day after Cavs owner Dan Gilbert's airplane set off a firestorm, FOX Sports Ohio is reporting Cleveland is planning a roster upgrade — with or without James. For his part, Kyrie Irving made sure to let James know if he does end up coming back home, he will get all the help he needs.

•The Orlando Magic landed free agent forward Channing Frye with a four-year deal and FOX Sports has all the details.

UPDATE (Monday, 4:45 p.m. ET): The Miami Heat are working on boosting their roster with pieces to lure LeBron James back and today free agents Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger both found new homes in South Beach, according to various reports.

• We previously updated you about the mutual interest between Chris Bosh and the Rockets, but Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski has some more insight on exactly what's going on there.

UPDATE (Monday, 5:45 a.m. ET): FOX Sports Ohio's Sam Amico confirmed reports that the Cleveland Cavaliers did indeed send an airplane to Miami, but exactly who was on that plane remains up in the air. Initial reports were Cavs owner Dan Gilbert was on the plane, then this happened:

Regardless, you know the Internet had fun.

And here's the fake Dan Gilbert's plane Twitter account:

Fake Twitter accounts aside, this could indeed be getting serious:

UPDATE (Monday 3 a.m. ET): In another sign that teams outside Miami are not giving up on landing LeBron James, FOX Sports Ohio's Sam Amico updated an earlier report by Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski that the Cleveland Cavaliers have indeed found a suitor for a move that would free more salary-cap space for The King.

And then came this series of tweets from ESPN's Chris Broussard which is sure to get Miami buzzing come sunrise:

UPDATE (Monday, 12:45 a.m. ET): As the first weekend of free agency winds down, the scramble to keep the Big Three together in Miami — and the scramble to relocate them — appears to be heating up. Or Heat-ing up, depending on whom you ask.

While the rest of LeBron James' suitors apparently wait for word if the star will even attend any meetings with them, James reportedly is giving at least one more team a face-to-face meeting.

Also on Sunday, ESPN reported that the Houston Rockets have ramped up their efforts to sign fellow Miami free agent Chris Bosh — with hopes he will bring a big friend along with him. But as with most reports, whether the feeling is mutual, and if so just how serious, remains up for debate.

And the Rockets reportedly aren't the only ones jockeying for better positioning on LeBron.

Ultimately, what does it all mean for the Heat? The final answer may not be a good one in South Beach.

SUNDAY

UPDATE (Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET): Sunday wasn't as busy in the free-agent market, but there are some updates to note.

• It hasn't been confirmed, but apparently Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony might have been hanging out together at UCLA playing a pick-up game. Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski has been tipped that Kevin Love was not with them, though.

• Boris Diaw will be returning to the Spurs as they look to repeat as NBA champs next season, according to Wojnarowski.

• Based on several reports, it appears the former Lakers guard Jordan Farmar will be joining the Clippers with a two-year deal.

SATURDAY

UPDATE (10:15 ET Saturday) Chris Bosh is unaware of LeBron James' plans so far in free agency, FOX Sports Ohio's Sam Amico reports in his NBA Report. While sources have told FOX Sports Ohio that Bosh is seeking a deal worth $90 million over five years, there is talk the All-Star big man may be willing to accept slightly less with the Heat if James returns. Both the Rockets and Mavericks are highly interested in Bosh should the Heat's Big 3 of Bosh, James and Dwyane Wade go their separate ways. Bosh is definitely interested in the Rockets and Mavs as well, sources told FOX Sports Ohio.

UPDATE (8 P.M. ET Saturday) The Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes took an intriguing turn on Saturday night, as reports indicate the Lakers have made a strong push for the one of free agency's top prizes. Yahoo! Sports/Fox Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports the Bulls, Knicks and Lakers have moved into "serious contention" to land Anthony. The Lakers' offer of teaming Anthony with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, first-round pick Julius Randle made a "strong impression" on Anthony, according to ESPN. These reports conflict with earlier reports that Anthony was nearly a sure deal to return to the Knicks.

UPDATE (1:17 p.m. ET Saturday): The major-media rhetoric assumes LeBron James is headed back to the Miami Heat. After all, the Big 3 have made four straight NBA Finals appearances with two championships since joining forces, so why would they break up?

But deep inside NBA circles, observers may be wondering not only how, but IF Pat Riley can make it all work ... and not just for James. The real key may be the third wheel: Chris Bosh.

Read between the tweets from Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski . . .

As far as the question "Can Bosh still get a high-dollar salary slot elsewhere?", Woj later tweeted that "Chris Bosh's reps have made recent calls on market to reconfirm that max slots would be available to him" and that yes, the slots are available if Bosh decides to leave.

Your move, Riles.

UPDATE (11:37 a.m. ET Saturday): That cocky/confident Phil Jackson grin may be lurking this weekend.

After yesterday's report that the Knicks had assuaged Carmelo Anthony's concerns during meetings this week, now the New York Daily News reports that Anthony is expect to re-sign with the Knicks for the maximum deal allowed.

After meeting with the Rockets, Bulls, Mavericks and Lakers this week, Carmelo could make his decision within the next 48 hours. Stay tuned.

UPDATE (11:10 a.m. ET Saturday):

If you didn't think Pat Riley would be aggressive this offseason, you'd be dead wrong.

With LeBron James seemijngly sitting back and waiting for Riles to show 'Bron the money and the new supporting cast, news is that the Miami Heat president will meet with a possible Big 4 addition: Luol Deng.

UPDATE (9:15 a.m. ET Saturday): The reports that Derrick Rose helped recruit Carmelo Anthony during the superstar's visit to Chicago may not have been accurate.

Rose, who earlier this week said it's "not my job" to recruit Anthony, was at the United Center during Anthony's visit Tuesday, but ESPN reports that the Bulls star was in the middle of his daily workout and surprised to see Anthony, stopping only to say a "brief hello," according to one source. And that was the extent of Rose’s recruiting pitch.

While ESPN's sources say Rose never was asked to help recruit Anthony, and that he was "shocked" to be left out, the Chicago Tribune's sources say the Bulls reached out to Rose from the beginning. The only thing the conflicting reports agree on is that Rose did not join Bulls officials for a dinner with Anthony, while Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson both did along with Scottie Pippen and John Paxson. And that despite his lack of involvement in the recruiting process, Rose would welcome Anthony to Chicago.

Believe what you will. But it sure sounds like the Bulls have some housekeeping to do.

• In other Bulls news, the team is pursuing Pau Gasol and another European big man: Nikola Mrotic, according to an ESPN report. The 6-foot-10 23-year-old, whom the Bulls drafted in 2011, reportedly has bought out his contract with Real Madrid and is headed to the NBA.

• The Rockets remain eager to lure Anthony to Houston, but they may have a backup plan ready to go if needed. ESPN reported that Texas native Chris Bosh appears to be the Rockets' Plan B.

• More conflicting reports: Brooklyn Nets GM Billy King said this week that he's negotiating a new deal with Paul Pierce and downplayed the possibility of a sign-and-trade with the Clippers. “They made a call and inquired,” King said Thursday in a radio interview, “but there’s nothing at this point that makes sense for us.” OK, how about now?

• No word on how the Lakers' meeting with LeBron's agent went Friday morning. But as of late this week, the Heat fully expected James to re-sign along with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reports, with James getting max money around $20.7 million a year while Wade and Bosh take small pay cuts, leaving the team with about $7 million to offer a top free agent. LeBron is weighing his options while waiting for the Heat to upgrade, a source close to James told Jackson, and while a return to Cleveland intrigues James, he wants to win now, which could be hard unless the Cavs swing an Andrew-Wiggins-for-Kevin-Love deal. Phoenix and Houston seem unlikely moves, the source said.  

• More rumors: The New Orleans Pelicans are open to moving Eric Gordon and/or Austin Rivers, according to Basketball Insiders, while the Indiana Pacers are after a point guard — specifically the Suns' Goran Dragic or the Celtics' Rajon Rondo, according to ESPN's Marc Stein.

• Toronto has traded sharpshooter Steve Novak to the Utah Jazz, Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

• And alas, 76ers rookie Joel Embiid's recruitment of LeBron James appears to be over.

FRIDAY

UPDATE (7:30 p.m. Friday): Free agent center Spencer Hawes has reached an agreement on a four-year, $23 million deal with the Clippers, Yahoo! Sports/Fox Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports. Hawes averaged 13.2 points and eight rebounds last season split between Philadelphia and Cleveland.

UPDATE (3:23 p.m. Friday):  Word has been consistent the past few days that Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony would make his final free-agent decision over the holiday weekend, after meeting with several interested suitors this week.

Yahoo! Sports/Fox Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports that if that's the case, 'Melo's hometown team seems to have many of his concerns and questions smoothed over by Phil Jackson and team brass. Plus they have offered him the maximum $129 million for five years.

Will that lead to Carmelo staying in New York? While it's too early to tell, one team representative told Wojnarowski that GM Steve Mills and president Jackson "dispelled doubts that he was indifferent about Anthony staying with the Knicks."

UPDATE (1:45 p.m. Friday):  ESPN's Jeff Goodman reports that the Toronto Raptors will re-sign four-year veteran Patrick Patterson to a three-year deal. Patterson, who was traded from the Sacramento Kings during the 2013-14 season, averaged 8.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season.

UPDATE (6:15 a.m. Friday): According to Yahoo Sports/ FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Portland Trail Blazers have added size to their backcourt, agreeing to a two-year, $10 million deal with Chris Kaman, who last season played with the Lakers.

UPDATE (5:35 a.m. Friday): In more Lakers news . . . in an update to a previous report, the Los Angeles Times is now reporting that Mitch Kupchak and his Lakers contingent is indeed meeting with LeBron James' agent, Rich Paul, in Cleveland. Earlier Friday, the Times confirmed the meeting but reported that there was no guarantee the Lakers' brain trust would actually get face time with Paul.

According to the report, the Lakers will meet with Paul on Friday, and even hinted that the team may be holding out of hope of landing both James and Carmelo Anthony. According to the report:

"The Lakers have enough salary-cap space to sign either James or Anthony to a maximum contract, but the duo would have to take substantial pay cuts to play together in Los Angeles."

Speaking of Anthony, additional details came out about the Lakers' much-publicized Thursday meeting with the free agent. Among the most Hollywood?

Executives from AEG and Time Warner Cable pitched 'Melo on the benefits of the LA market, Laker legend James Worthy pitched him on the power of the purple & gold, and Joel Sliver, who produced "The Matrix," "Die Hard" and "48 Hours" films, produced a four-minute "trailer" of Anthony's life — complete with Toby Maguire as narrator.

UPDATE (2:35 a.m. Friday): Late Thursday, FOX Sports Ohio reported that LeBron James' agent is meeting with teams who have piqued The King's interest enough to engage in talks.

Most notably, that list included the Cavaliers. But ESPN reported the Mavericks, Rockets and Suns also got meetings in Cleveland with Rich Paul, James' agent. Of course, the Miami Heat have not been ruled out of the mix, either.

But then came reports early Friday that another team is headed to Cleveland. A really big team.

The only question is whether the Lakers brass has a meeting already scheduled with James' camp, or if they're just there looking to crash the party.

UPDATE (1:35 a.m. ET Friday): The Houston Rockets plan to target Chris Bosh if they fail to land Carmelo Anthony, ESPN's Marc Stein reports. The Rockets are in need of a big man to complement Dwight Howard, Stein reports. Houston recently traded Omer Asik and reportedly is in talks to move Jeremy Lin to clear cap space.

THURSDAY

UPDATE (11 p.m. ET Thursday): Rich Paul, the agent for LeBron James, has met with the Cleveland Cavaliers to discuss the Cavs' interest in signing the Miami Heat star and four-time NBA MVP, sources told FOX Sports Ohio on Thursday.

Paul also met with the Phoenix Suns, Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks, according to an ESPN report.

James opted out of his contract last week and is reportedly seeking a maximum deal that will play him more than $20 million next season. James has not visited with any of his suitors in person, and sources have said he is allowing Paul to conduct behind-the-scenes talks based on James' preferences.

Even rookie Joel Embiid, who's been in the NBA for like a week since being drafted No. 3 by the Philadelphia 76ers, is trying to recruit LeBron:

UPDATE (8:45 p.m. ET Thursday): Carmelo Anthony had quite the day in Los Angeles. His meeting with the Lakers organization lasted for more than two hours, and there is quite the buzz about what he'll do with the rest of his time there.

Anthony reportedly met with Knicks representatives in Los Angeles as well, and according to ESPN, both the Lakers and New York ensured he'd receive a max offer.

UPDATE (5 p.m. ET Thursday): There are a few things brewing this afternoon.

•  Dirk Nowitzki, as many people expected, will be the first big name free agent to make a decision and re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks for three years, according to multiple reports.

•  Would Carmelo Anthony and Pau Gasol fit well together in New York under the new Jackson regime? According to Yahoo Sports/ FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Anthony wants to have that talk with Gasol and he will think about his free-agency decision in L.A. over the weekend. Unfortunately, Kobe Bryant wasn't able to be there Thursday to help lure Anthony to the Lakers.

•  Wojnarowski also reported that Luol Deng is expected to talk with Clippers coach Doc Rivers today about a potential sign-and-trade.

•  Thabo Sefolosha will be joining the Atlanta Hawks after agreeing to a three-year deal.

UPDATE (12:47 p.m. ET Thursday): A couple of items early today.

• The Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to sign former phenom Sebastian Telfair to a one-year contract for the league minimum. Telfair was drafted No. 13 overall straight out of high school in 2004, and played for seven teams in his first nine NBA seasons. He played last season in China.

• Kobe Bryant reportedly has cut his vacation in Europe short, flying back to L.A. Wednesday so he can personally be part of the Lakers' pitch to Carmelo Anthony.

•The Chicago Bulls have reportedly made it clear to Carlos Boozer that they'll sever ties with him, using the NBA's amnesty clause to get his contract off the books.

• The Sacramento Kings and guard Darren Collison reportedly agreed to a three-year contract worth about $16 million.

UPDATE (2 a.m. ET Thursday): After a day focused on Houston ('Melo), Toronto (Kyle Lowry), Miami (Bosh), and pretty much everywhere else (the LeBron watch is officially on), the early hours of Thursday shift the league's attention to Los Angeles . . . and both Staples Center locker rooms.

First, the Los Angeles Times apparently got a glimpse into the Lakers' specific plans this offseason:

What, you thought the Lakers weren't going big?

And that's just the beginning.

• Gasol is perhaps the hottest name in the league outside of the Big Three and Anthony. How hot, you ask? This hot:

Not only do the Thunder want him, but Gasol is also on Pat Riley's list in Miami (the two had a phone chat on Tuesday) and Phil Jackson in New York (the two won championships together in LA). The Lakers are supposedly still in the mix, too.

• Then there's this:

S&T = sign and trade. Pierce + former Celtics coach and current Clippers head Doc Rivers = new favorite in the West?

The deal, which would allow Pierce to get more than the Clips' $5.3 million mid-level exemption, likely would involve LA's small forwards Jared Dudley, Matt Barnes and Reggie Bullock, ESPN reports. Nets GM Billy King told ESPN's Mike & Mike "We're in the middle of negotiating a deal."

• Mark Cuban on Wednesday's meeting with 'Melo: "No tours. No banners. All basketball and business."

• The Bulls are set to amnesty forward Carlos Boozer, according to the Chicago Sun-Times, so his $16.8 million salary won't count against the cap next season. They're reportedly meeting with Gasol in LA this week.

• H-Town rapper Slim Thug is trying hard to get Carmelo to come to Houston, tweeting among other things: "Chicago get cold as **** @carmeloanthony @lala and i know u dnt want your kid growing up in Chiraq"...

But Melo's wife La La reportedly likes living in New York and wants him to stay there.

WEDNESDAY

UPDATE (11:45 p.m. ET Wednesday): As the second day of free agency winds down, the pace of the rumor quickly speeds up, with news on the team that beat LeBron James in the Finals, the team that wants to overtake LeBron in the East and a guy the Heat wanted to play with LeBron in Miami next season.

But we begin with The King himself.

According to FOX Sports Ohio's Sam Amico, LeBron has begun assessing the teams outside Miami interested in signing him. Of course, one could easily argue that would be every team in the league, but unlike the 2010 offseason, there will be no publicized meet & greets with teams in hotel rooms — and no "Decision."

Instead, according to a source, James' plan is to evaluate suitors and tell the world of his latest decision in a way "that is likely to be bam, this is where I'm going."

And with Wednesday's earlier news of Chris Bosh's intention to seek bigger-than-anticipated bucks, returning to Miami as a Big Three with added significant help could now be in jeopardy. Plus, the source said, "The reality is LeBron is watching all the teams that interest him." Even the rest of the Big Three apparently don't know what James is going to do.

• Speaking of adding significant help, one player believed to be high on the Heat's radar is the Raptors' Kyle Lowry. Scratch him off the list:

• Another team that helped itself was the team that ended LeBron's 2013-14 season, the champion Spurs. Needing depth at point guard with backup Patty Mills a free agent and reportedly out half a year or more with a shoulder injury, San Antonio beefed up its backcourt by signing — Patty Mills.

• One team that the Big Three did handle was the Indiana Pacers — a team in jeopardy of being nothing more than a perennial contender in the weak Eastern Conference. Returning free-agent Lance Stephenson seems like it would be a good idea. At this point, however, that looks like it is going to take a lot more work.

According to ESPN, Stephenson turned down the team's five-year, $44 million offer, claiming it was not enough.

So much for those rumors of in-house dysfunction in Indianapolis going away.

UPDATE (9:25 p.m. ET Wednesday): Chris Bosh's agent has come out and said that the reports about him willing to accept less money to re-sign with the Heat were "B.S." — and indeed, now we have reports from FOX Sports Ohio's Sam Amico that Bosh is seeking a 5-year, $90 million deal.

UPDATE (4:25 p.m. ET Wednesday): According to Yahoo Sports/FOX Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Indiana Pacers have reached a deal with free agent C.J. Miles.

UPDATE (2:35 p.m. ET Wednesday): A day after Carmelo Anthony was feted in Chicago, it was Houston's turn. The Rockets rolled out the red carpet for one of the year's most prized free agents, complete with some Photoshop work of him holding the Larry O'Brien trophy in Rockets gear — and wearing current Rocket Jeremey Lin's No. 7. (Yeah, Lin took notice.)

• Meanwhile, Gordon Hayward is meeting with the Cavaliers. Cleveland is reportedly set to give Hayward a lucrative offer, but the Jazz appear intent on matching.

• The Nets have reached an agreement with Lionel Hollins to become their new head coach just days after Jason Kidd bolted for Milwaukee.

UPDATE (1:08 p.m. ET Wednesday): According to Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Orlando Magic have added Ben Gordon to their backcourt — two days after saying goodbye to longtime guard Jameer Nelson.

• FOX Sports South's Brett Jensen reports that Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan aims to be a major player in free agency this summer.

UPDATE (12:45 p.m. ET Wednesday): Multiple outlets are reporting the Boston Celtics are retaining four-year veteran shooting guard Avery Bradley. The 23-year-old averaged a career-best 14.9 points per game, including 39.5 percent shooting from 3-point range, in 2013-14.

UPDATE (8:45 a.m. ET Wednesday): The Heat are certainly staying active early, with president Pat Riley talking to free-agent center Pau Gasol by phone on Tuesday, according to Yahoo! Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

According to the report, the Spurs are also interested, but like the Heat, San Antonio might have trouble meeting the price tag for the veteran Spaniard.

The Lakers, for whom Gasol has played the last six seasons, are also in the mix and likely his best shot at getting the reported $10-12 million he's seeking, though possibly on a one-year deal.

UPDATE (1:45 a.m. ET Wednesday): The agent for Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh told TNT's David Aldridge that reports about the Heat stars agreeing to stay in Miami for less money are "BS."

•  Spurs backup point guard Patty Mills reportedly will be sidelined seven months with a shoulder injury.

TUESDAY

UPDATE (10:45 p.m. ET Tuesday): "The Polish Hammer," Marcin Gortat, will be with Washington for the long haul after reportedly signing a five-year extension, according to Yahoo Sports/Fox Sports 1 Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. The Warriors also have reportedly reached a three-year agreement with free-agent point guard Shaun Livingston.

•  Pau Gasol has spoken to Heat president Pat Riley, according to reports.

UPDATE (6:45 p.m. ET Tuesday): Chad Buchanan is reportedly leaving Portland as the Trailblazers' scouting director to become the Hornets' GM.

UPDATE (5:15 p.m. ET Tuesday): As Carmelo Anthony met with the Bulls Tuesday at the United Center, both Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah were present in the meeting, according to reports — even though Rose said previously it wasn't his job to recruit. Also, the Bulls had a nice welcoming pitch for Anthony outside the arena:

• There have been several reports from outlets that Wade and Bosh have signed contract extentions with the Miami Heat. Being that LeBron reportedly is demanding a max contract, Wade and Bosh would have to take major pay cuts. As confirmation comes in, we will update you.

• According to Yahoo Sports/FOX Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets may be close to landing Lionel Hollins as their next coach.

• Wojnarowski reports that former Laker Luke Walton is close to becoming an assistant coach on Steve Kerr's staff in Oakland.

• Wojnarowski also reports that both Jodie Meeks and Cartier Martin have agreed to deals with the Detroit Pistons.

UPDATE (6 a.m. ET Tuesday): With the first rush of the free-agency period in the books and only one big name agreeing to a deal (and staying put, no less), teams, players, reporters — and the league — are resting up for what could be a busy Tuesday afternoon:

UPDATE (2:05 a.m. ET Tuesday): The pursuit of LeBron James may just be getting going, but his old team quickly made sure the player who replaced The King in the hearts of Cavs fans won't follow James out the door of Quicken Loans Arena.

A year away from potentially losing point guard Kyrie Irving to free agency, Cavs owner Dan Gilbert pulled off the biggest free-agent signing of his tenure, holding onto his star:

UPDATE (1:05 a.m. ET Tuesday): As the first hour of free agency passes, the hottest name out there may surprise you:

UPDATE (12:25 a.m. ET Tuesday): Yahoo! Sports/Fox Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reports that several teams are already working hard, including James' first team, and the two non-champions in the Lone Star State:

MONDAY

UPDATE (11 p.m. ET Monday): According to reports, the Thunder could be looking towards veteran guard Vince Carter to fill their need of a shooting guard.

Before the first pen was put to paper, there were plenty more names making waves on Monday.

• The Raptors traded forward John Salmons and a 2015 second-round draft pick to Atlanta for guard Lou Williams and the draft rights to center Lucas Nogueira. The move clears more than $15 million in salary cap space for Atlanta.

• According to USA Today, the Pacers decided on Monday not to extend an $8.7 million qualifying offer to Evan Turner, making the No. 2 pick of the 2010 Draft a free agent.

• According to multiple outlets, the Warriors did not extend a qualifying offer to Jordan Crawford, making him an unrestricted free agent.

• As FOX Sports Florida's Ken Hornack reported earlier Monday, the Magic waived 10-year-veteran point guard Jameer Nelson, making the 32-year-old a free agent.

• The Minnesota Timberwolves, holding perhaps the league's biggest trade chip in Kevin Love, declined to extend qualifying offers to forward Robbie Hummel and guard Othyus Jeffers, making both of them unrestricted free agents.

• Yahoo! Sports/Fox Sports 1 NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski had a busy Monday, with news on players re-signing, becoming free agents, and joining new teams. Oh yeah, and some news about that team in South Beach with a whole lot of suddenly available cap space:

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