Los Angeles Lakers Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Knicks Emerge As Frontrunners For Steve Nash

By Luke Adams | at July 4, 2012 5:16 pm

5:15pm: NBA.com's David Aldridge tweets that Nash has yet to make a final decision on where he wants to play. He adds that the Suns are waiting on the Hornets' decision on matching Eric Gordon's offer sheet before engaging in sign-and-trade talks.

2:25pm: The Mavericks and Raptors haven't conceded yet, and remain in discussions for Nash, tweets ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

12:35pm: The Lakers were also exploring a sign-and-trade deal for Nash, but their efforts so far have been blocked by the Suns' brass, who have no desire to send Nash to a division rival, tweets ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

12:07pm: The Knicks have emerged as the frontrunners for Nash, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. According to Wojnarowski (via Twitter), the Knicks and Suns are in the "critical stages" of negotiating a sign-and-trade deal that would pay Nash $27-30MM for three years.

ESPN.com's Marc Stein tweets that the Knicks would prefer not to include Shumpert and are looking to include a third team to join the deal to avoid including him. However, they'll include Shumpert if they have to, a source tells Stein (Twitter link).

11:46am: While the Knicks and Suns haven't reached any agreement, the Knicks are offering a package headlined by Iman Shumpert, according to ESPN.com's Marc Stein.

11:32am: Berman now tweets that the Knicks and Suns are still working on a sign-and-trade deal, and that "nothing is done" at this point.

11:03am: Berman has since deleted his tweet, so it's unclear if his report stands. We'll keep you posted on the latest developments.

10:48am: The Knicks are "closing in" on a sign-and-trade deal to acquire Steve Nash from the Suns, tweets Marc Berman of the New York Post. In order to pay Nash a competitive salary and make a sign-and-trade palatable for the Suns, the Knicks will likely have to include Iman Shumpert and a handful of players on expiring contracts, including Toney Douglas, Jerome Jordan, Josh Harrellson, and Dan Gadzuric.

The Raptors, Mavericks, Lakers, and Suns are among the other teams in the running for Nash. Toronto appeared to deal a death blow to the Knicks' chances of a sign-and-trade for the veteran point guard when they agreed to sign Landry Fields to an offer sheet worth about $19MM. Fields had been viewed as the most likely candidate to be included in a sign-and-trade deal to the Suns.

Previous reports have suggested that if the Knicks do part with Shumpert in a sign-and-trade for Nash, it will likely be James Dolan's decision, as most members of the team's front office are reluctant to part with the young guard.

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Rashard Lewis Eyeing Five Teams

By Luke Adams | at July 4, 2012 1:33 pm

WEDNESDAY, 1:33pm: Lewis has been in contact with at least three teams on his list so far, according to Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld — the Lakers, Knicks, and Heat.

TUESDAY, 3:37pm: Having cleared waivers, Rashard Lewis will likely be looking to sign with one of five teams, according to the New York Post's Marc Berman. Berman names the Knicks, Heat, Spurs, Hawks, and Lakers as the clubs on Lewis' "short list."

2 comments Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Miami Heat New York Knicks San Antonio Spurs Rashard Lewis

Dwight Howard Rumors: Wednesday

By Luke Adams | at July 4, 2012 10:16 am

Yesterday's round of Dwight Howard rumors was fairly eventful, featuring reports that the Magic are discussing deals with a number of teams, including the Lakers and Nets. The Nets still appear determined to put together a complicated package for Howard, though their increasing cap figure will make it difficult. The Lakers, meanwhile, seem willing to offer Andrew Bynum, but only with Metta World Peace in the deal as well, and only if D12 agrees to sign a long-term deal. I don't think that package gets it done for a Magic team looking for cap relief.

We'll round up today's Howard updates right here, so check back throughout the day for the latest:

0 comments Brooklyn Nets Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Orlando Magic Brook Lopez Dwight Howard

Lakers Making Push For Steve Nash

By Michael Pina | at July 3, 2012 8:58 pm

The Lakers are making a late move to try and sign Steve Nash, tweets NBA.com reporter David Aldridge. The Raptors, Knicks, and Mavericks are three other teams in the mix.

16 comments Los Angeles Lakers Steve Nash

Kennedy On Paul, Williams, Beasley, Ebanks

By Michael Pina | at July 3, 2012 5:27 pm

Despite turning down a three-year, $60MM offer from the Clippers when free agency started, Chris Paul is acting like someone who plans on staying in Los Angeles for a long time, writes Hoopsworld.com reporter Alex Kennedy. Paul has been working the phones and setting up face to face meetings with free agents, selling them on joining him for a chance at winning multiple championships. Paul is eligible after the 2012/13 season to sign a five-year, $110MM contract should the Clippers offer it.

1 comment Atlanta Hawks Brooklyn Nets Charlotte Hornets Dallas Mavericks Detroit Pistons Los Angeles Lakers Memphis Grizzlies Oklahoma City Thunder Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns Chris Paul Deron Williams Devin Ebanks Michael Beasley

Dwight Howard Rumors: Tuesday

By Luke Adams | at July 3, 2012 4:43 pm

4:43pm: The Magic haven't ruled out trading Howard to the Nets, and continue to talk to the Lakers, tweets Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.

12:54pm: The Lakers are prepared to offer Bynum and Metta World Peace in exchange for Howard, providing Dwight agrees to sign an extension, tweets Jarrod Rudolph of RealGM.com. Based on Wojnarowski's report, I'd be a little surprised if Orlando agreed to that deal. Plus, it would hinge on both big men agreeing to sign new contracts.

The Magic would include Jason Richardson in any Howard deal, Rudolph adds in a second tweet.

12:49pm: The Magic are focusing on Lakers center Andrew Bynum as their top target in Howard trade talks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. However, the Magic would likely want more than just Bynum for Howard, and they'd need assurances that Bynum, who is also entering the final year of his contract, would sign an extension.

Wojnarowski adds that there's another trade scenario that involves a "significant player" that intrigues the Magic, but the team and player are unknown.

8:42am: There's not "great enthusiasm" within the Magic front office that the Nets can put together the most appealing offer for Howard, tweets Wojnarowski. However, the Magic also haven't received an offer from any team that they feel is enough to seriously consider trading Howard now, Wojnarowski adds in a second tweet.

8:03am: For progress to be made on the Magic/Nets talks, a third team would need to agree to take Humphries in the deal, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

7:49am: The Magic and Nets have re-engaged in talks on a possible deal for Dwight Howard, reports ESPN.com's Chris Broussard (all Twitter links). According to Broussard, the two sides are discussing a trade that would send Howard to Brooklyn in exchange for Kris Humphries, Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, and three first-round picks (2013, 2015, 2017).

Such a trade would be tricky financially, particularly if the Nets also take on Hedo Turkoglu, as Chris Mannix of SI.com suggests they're willing to (Twitter link). Sign-and-trades for Lopez and Humphries would be subject to Base Year Compensation — if their new salaries are more than 20% larger than their old salaries, then the Nets would use either their previous salary or 50% of their new salary (whichever is greater) for trade purposes, while the Magic would use their full salary. For instance, if Lopez signed for $10MM in year one, it would act as $5MM for the Nets' salary-matching purposes.

Ken Berger of CBS Sports confirms the talks between the Magic and Nets, but says those aren't the only discussions Orlando is having (Twitter links). According to Berger, GM Rob Hennigan is also trying to engage the Hawks, Rockets, Lakers, and possibly Mavericks. Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld hears that Dallas has been aggressive in pursuing Howard, but says the Lakers and Clippers are reluctant to deal without assurances D12 would sign an extension (Twitter links).

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20 comments Atlanta Hawks Brooklyn Nets Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets Los Angeles Clippers Los Angeles Lakers Orlando Magic Andrew Bynum Brook Lopez Dwight Howard Hedo Turkoglu Jason Richardson Kris Humphries MarShon Brooks Metta World Peace

Mavs Making “Big Push” For Brandon Roy

By Luke Adams | at July 3, 2012 9:40 am

The Mavericks are making a "big push" to sign free agent shooting guard Brandon Roy, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link). According to Spears, the Cavs, Timberwolves, and possibly the Lakers also have interest in Roy, who could meet with teams in Seattle next week. Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld, meanwhile, reports that the Bulls have expressed "a lot of interest" in the former Blazer, and are looking at a possible multiyear deal for him.

2 comments Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Lakers Minnesota Timberwolves Brandon Roy

Odds & Ends: Hawks, D-Will, Calderon, Celtics

By Chuck Myron | at July 3, 2012 12:15 am

It's been another whirlwind day of player movement in the NBA, as the Hawks agreed to two significant trades, sending Joe Johnson to the Nets and Marvin Williams to the Jazz. Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld speculated that Josh Smith may be the next Hawk to go (Twitter link), but Brian Windhorst and Marc Stein of ESPN.com report that Smith is excited about the moves, which would free up plenty of cap space for next summer, when Atlanta could go after Smith and other major targets. Here's news from elsewhere around the busy Association.

0 comments 2012 Olympics Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Dallas Mavericks Houston Rockets Los Angeles Lakers Miami Heat Philadelphia 76ers Portland Trail Blazers San Antonio Spurs Toronto Raptors Brandon Bass Deron Williams Jason Terry Jrue Holiday Luis Scola O.J. Mayo Spencer Hawes

Free Agent Rumors: Lin, Hinrich, Kaman, Nash

By Luke Adams | at July 2, 2012 10:07 pm

While a report surfaced last night suggesting that the Knicks may be reluctant to match a backloaded offer to Jeremy Lin, it doesn't appear that such an offer will come from Brooklyn. According to TNT's David Aldridge, the Nets haven't reached out to Lin, and appear to be viewing Steve Nash as Plan B if they can't lock up Deron Williams. Let's round up a few more free agent tidbits from around the league….

While an earlier report (linked below) from K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune suggests the Bulls will only offer the minimum to Kirk Hinrich, Johnson says he's now emerging as the team's top target (Twitter link).
Chris Kaman had a "positive" meeting with the Pacers today, but no offer was made, tweets Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports.
Frank Isola of the New York Daily News believes Lin and Nash may be an either/or proposition for the Knicks.

Earlier updates:

Lin has received interest from a number of teams, including the Raptors, Mavericks and, contradicting Aldridge, the Nets, Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld writes. At least one of those teams has considered making Lin a backloaded offer, according to Kennedy.
Lin and fellow restricted free agent Greg Stiemsma have withdrawn from the USA Olympic select team. Lin is off the team because of contract concerns, as Marc Berman of the New York Post tweets, and Stiemsma is nursing a foot injury, tweets Howard Beck of The New York Times.
Jamal Crawford will spend Tuesday with the Clippers, frontrunners for his services, Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports tweets. The Celtics, Sixers, Suns and Wolves are also interested.
It's likely the Bulls won't pick up C.J. Watson's option, but that could change if they don't match Omer Asik's offer sheet from the Rockets, tweets Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com.
Restricted free agent Devin Ebanks has drawn the eye of the Magic, Thunder, Nets, Hawks and 76ers, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
The Warriors, one of the teams on Brandon Roy's list of finalists, would like to bring him aboard, but can't afford to commit cap space to someone whose status is so uncertain, says Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group, who adds that if Roy is unwilling to sign for the minimum, it's unlikely he'll be a Warrior (Twitter link).
The Bulls are pursuing Derek Fisher, write Ramona Shelburne and Nick Friedell of ESPN.com, and the Heat, Mavs and Thunder are also on the radar for the veteran guard. The report also confirms the team's interest in Brandon Roy (linked below).
Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com hears that John Lucas III is a good bet to re-sign with the Bulls (Twitter link).
Marco Belinelli is drawing interest from teams targeting shooting guards, and the Mavericks are one possibility for him, tweets Ken Berger of CBSSports.com.
Berger also tweets that interest in unrestricted free agent centers Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby has increased since Omer Asik agreed to a deal with the Rockets.
Goran Dragic is expected to meet with Rockets officials today in Houston, tweets Mark Berman of FOX 26 Houston.
Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has been in contact with Brandon Roy about the possibility of signing with Chicago, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Roy has met with the Timberwolves and Mavericks, and intends to meet with the other three clubs on his wish list before making a decision, tweets Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.
While they're rumored to have interest, the Cavs haven't made an offer to Alexey Shved, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter).
Chris Wilcox, recovering from aortic surgery, has been cleared for full-court contact, his agent tells TNT's David Aldridge.
Steve Novak is drawing heavy interest, as nearly a dozen teams contacted his representatives yesterday, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post. Berman says the Knicks are targeting Anthony Tolliver as a possible alternative if Novak gets away.
The Suns and Pistons are among the teams pursuing Michael Beasley, according to Sam Amick of SI.com.
Amick also says the Raptors, Suns, Nets, Hornets, Lakers, and Rockets have expressed some interest in Goran Dragic.
The Bulls' talks with Kirk Hinrich have focused on the veteran's minimum, which is unlikely to get it done with eight teams in the mix, tweets K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
The Wizards have reached out to a handful of their own free agents as well as John Lucas III and Hinrich, tweets Michael Lee of the Washington Post.
Jonny Flynn is receiving interest from the Hawks in addition to the Cavs, says Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com.

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3 comments Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics Brooklyn Nets Chicago Bulls Cleveland Cavaliers Dallas Mavericks Detroit Pistons Golden State Warriors Houston Rockets Indiana Pacers Los Angeles Lakers Miami Heat Minnesota Timberwolves New Orleans Pelicans New York Knicks Oklahoma City Thunder Orlando Magic Philadelphia 76ers Phoenix Suns Toronto Raptors Washington Wizards Alexey Shved Anthony Tolliver Brandon Roy C.J. Watson Chris Kaman Chris Wilcox Goran Dragic Greg Stiemsma Jeremy Lin John Lucas III Jonny Flynn Kirk Hinrich Marco Belinelli Marcus Camby Michael Beasley Steve Novak

T-Wolves Rumors: Batum, Crawford, Gasol, Hill

By Luke Adams | at July 2, 2012 8:11 pm

The Timberwolves are off to an aggressive start in free agency, having reportedly made a "serious offer" to restricted free agent Nicolas Batum. According to Yannis Koutroupis of HoopsWorld, sources believe the Trail Blazers' willingness to match a big offer for Batum will depend on whether they're able to land Roy Hibbert. Here are a few more updates on the T-Wolves' targets in free agency and trades:

Chris Haynes of CSNNW.com updates an earlier story to say that Batum has narrowed his options to the Blazers, with whom he's meeting later this week, and the Wolves, and has postponed visits to other teams.