With less than 24 hours to go until teams can officially begin negotiating with free agents, the focus has shifted from the draft and incoming rookies to where NBA veterans will end up. No free agent is more coveted than Deron Williams, but he's narrowed his choices to the Mavs and Nets. There are plenty of quality players left for other teams, however, including Roy Hibbert and Eric Gordon, whom the Rockets will target, writes Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, adding that the team is also going after Omer Asik. Here's more on the free agent plans of teams around the league and other late-night news:
- Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel throws out the names of a few assistant coaches who could become candidates for the Magic's coaching job. Mike Budenholzer of the Spurs, Maurice Cheeks of the Thunder, Steve Clifford of the Magic, Michael Malone of the Warriors and Brian Shaw of the Pacers are on the list along with former Blazers head coach Nate McMillan.
- Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins thinks the Wolves would be giving up too quickly on Derrick Williams if they sent him away in a deal for Pau Gasol.
- Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald checks in with Jeff Green, an unrestricted free agent who seems likely to return to the Celtics.
- Matt Moore of CBSSports.com answers five burning questions in advance of free agency.
- Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star looks at the Pacers' free agent plans under the new management of Donnie Walsh and Kevin Pritchard.
- Fran Blinebury of NBA.com identifies a few under-the-radar free agents.
- Newsday's Al Iannazzone and Frank Isola of the New York Daily News examine the offseason for the Knicks.
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