Having tried to move Spencer Hawes‘ contract in a trade prior to the draft, the Hornets continue to explore a possible deal involving Hawes, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical (Twitter links). According to Wojnarowski, Charlotte would like to create the cap room to add a center in free agency. Roy Hibbert and Zaza Pachulia are at the top of the Hornets’ wish list, with Festus Ezeli and Jordan Hill among the other players the team is eyeing, says Wojnarowski.
Here are several more free agent rumors and updates from around the NBA:
- The Trail Blazers kicked the tires on Ezeli and Nene, but won’t pursue those players, instead focusing their attention on Pachulia, reports Jason Quick of CSNNW.com (Twitter links). According to Quick, the Blazers were concerned they’d have to renounce one or two of their restricted free agents to go after Ezeli, and they aren’t willing to do that for Allen Crabbe, Meyers Leonard, or Maurice Harkless at this point.
- Quick also has an update on veteran free agent Gerald Henderson, tweeting that the Trail Blazers are one of “seven to eight teams” to show interest in Henderson so far.
- A reunion between Lance Stephenson and the Pacers isn’t out of the question, according to Nate Taylor of The Indianapolis Star, who reports that Stephenson has discussed the possibility of agreeing to a multiyear contract with Indiana. The veteran free agent is considering a few teams, but a source tells Taylor that Stephenson “absolutely loves the town and the [Pacers] organization.”
- Before Cole Aldrich agreed to sign with the Timberwolves, he was receiving interest from the Magic and the Suns, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News (via Twitter). Orlando struck a deal with Bismack Biyombo, but Phoenix could still be in the market for a free agent big man.
- Portland reportedly offered Pau Gasol a higher salary than he ultimately accepted from the Spurs, and it sounds like the Timberwolves did too. Jon Krawczynski of The Associated Press reports (via Twitter) that Minnesota’s first offer was $36MM for two years, and the team may have increased that offer within the last day or so.
Well, there is the rim protection I mentioned earlier for the Hornets. Would be interesting to see if it takes a little while to move Hawes though, considering the Heat are trying to move a similar, but better player in McRoberts, who costs almost half as much money
I’m really interested to see what happens with Portand’s wing players. Do they have the money to keep Henderson and match on Crabbe and/or Harkless? That could sort of give them a (last year’s version) of GS light….Lillard, McCollum, Crabbe, Aminu, Plumlee
Turner, Henderson off the bench. If they add a backup rim protector, and another shooter (or if someone like Pat Connaughton can provide that shooting) that would be a really interesting team
lol my bad. For some reason, I was thinking Hawes had $9 million on his deal instead of under $6 million, which is about the same as McRoberts
Stephenson should go to the Bulls. He and Rondo would send Hoiburg Paxon and Foreman to a home.
Hahahahahahahahaha