Latest buzz in Timberwolves' ongoing pursuit of LeBron James

LeBron James is apparently getting closer to making his highly-anticipated free agency decision. And the Minnesota Timberwolves are one of five teams believed to still be in the mix to land perhaps the greatest basketball player to ever live.

"Every day, LeBron James inches closer and closer to a decision," ESPN's Shams Charania said on Monday. "It's decision time for LeBron James. All the information, for the most part, is in. GMs, presidents, owners, they've all been heard from, they're continuing to have conversations with agent Rich Paul here this week as well. Players have also reached out to LeBron James to recruit him.

"The leading suitors have been Cleveland, Miami, Golden State, Philadelphia, and Minnesota," Charania added. "LeBron James has made it clear privately that he wants to go somewhere where he can compete for a championship, somewhere where he feels like he finds that happiness from a team environment and culture that he feels he can uplift."

To be included on that list of suitors is a good thing for the Wolves. There's a lot of competition there, with two of LeBron's former teams and two other big-market suitors in the Warriors and 76ers. Notably not included are the Denver Nuggets or any other Western Conference teams outside of Golden State.

The Wolves have made their pitch to James. They believe there's no better basketball fit for the 41-year-old legend than in Minnesota, where he could slide right into the power forward spot vacated by Julius Randle and Naz Reid this offseason. They think he'd fit perfectly alongside their dynamic backcourt (LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards) and their two best defenders (Jaden McDaniels, Rudy Gobert).

The Timberwolves have also pitched James on what it would mean to his legacy to help bring a championship to not only their franchise, but the state of Minnesota. And with James' decision reportedly set to be driven by fit and not money, there's reason to believe the Wolves' salary cap situation will not keep them out of the mix.

Realistically, the odds remain somewhat low that LeBron ends up in Minnesota. But at the same time, it's still very much in play. The fit has lots of people talking. There's even a bit of a LeBron-to-Minnesota conspiracy brewing, for those who are into that kind of thing.

When exactly the announcement will happen is unclear, but it does seem like James' decision is likely to come this month — and perhaps within the next week.