NBA free agency: Latest buzz, rumors

With the start of free agency on the horizon, the rumor mill is churning at high speed. Which teams are looking to swing deals? Who’s opting in and out? What’s the latest news surrounding LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony? Here are the latest news and reports:
2a.m.ET
Cavaliers, point guard Kyrie Irving agree to contract extension
Looking forward to the next 6 years of @KyrieIrving in CLE. Just shook hands &intend to sign on the 10th.Cant be more excited about @cavs...
— Dan Gilbert (@cavsdan) July 1, 2014
Lakers to meet with Carmelo Anthony Thursday
The Lakers registered interest in Carmelo Anthony tonight and will be meeting with him on Thursday, source tells ESPN
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2014
Raptors to meet with Kyle Lowry Tuesday
I'm told face-to-face meeting between Raptors & prized free agent Kyle Lowry scheduled for later Tuesday ... as in Tuesday in the sunlight
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2014
Houston looking to move quickly with Lowry
Rockets want to strike quickly w/Lowry, but Raptors also pushing for a deal. Houston will also talk w/F James Johnson before Melo meeting.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) July 1, 2014
Knicks confident they will get final meeting with Melo
The Knicks are confident they will get the final sales pitch with their free agent Carmelo Anthony, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 1, 2014
Heat, Lakers among teams interested in point guard Isaiah Thomas
Clippers feel they have “real chance” of landing Paul Pierce, Nets not expected to make him immediate offer
Clippers, I'm told, believe they have real chance of stealing Paul Pierce away from Nets now that Jason Kidd no longer coaching in Brooklyn
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2014
Brooklyn not expected to make immediate offer to Pierce, source says. Team's commitment to 36-year-old will be dictated by market.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) July 1, 2014
Big man Spencer Hawes drawing interest from contenders
Stretch big man Spencer Hawes drawing interest from clutch of contenders already (Blazers, Clips, Rockets, Mavs) on top of incumbent Cavs
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2014
There's serious market for Hawes' ability to shoot and stretch floor, beginning with Cavs who are determined to keep him. Perfect for Blatt.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2014
Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Clippers reach reach out to Luol Deng
Miami's Pat Riley has called Luol Deng's reps and registered his significant interest, source tells Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2014
The Hawks, Clippers and Mavs led the charge in contacting Luol Deng's reps tonight, league source confirms.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) July 1, 2014
Steve Blake, Shawn Marion, Vince Carter among players being pursued by Heat. Sporting News: “According to sources, among the players the Heat will pursue are veteran Warriors guard Steve Blake, who can play either guard spot, can knock down 3-pointers and is expected to draw interest from other contenders, like the Thunder.
Another pair of graybeards is also on the Heat list: Shawn Marion of the Mavericks and teammate Vince Carter. Both players have expressed interest in the team, and the feeling is said to be mutual.”
Significant interest in wing Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza has significant interest -- including Cavs -- and his Wizards coach, Randy Wittman, will be in L.A. by morning to meet him.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2014
Bulls, Mavericks, Lakers, Suns among teams showing interest in Chandler Parsons
Bulls and Mavs are among the teams to register interest tonight in Rockets' RFA Chandler Parsons. Rule of thumb: Teams into Melo are into CP
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2014
Lakers have expressed interest in Chandler Parsons, source told ESPN. Others include Dallas and Chicago. Phoenix also interested.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) July 1, 2014
10:30 p.m. ET
Big Three to give Riley time to “enact his plan.”
As free agency starts, James/Bosh/Wade plan to give Pat Riley a window to enact his plan on upgrading supporting cast, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2014
Report: targeting Bosh, Lowry are fallback plans for Houston. Houston Chronicle: “The top priority if unable to land one of the top two targets would shift to Miami forward Chris Bosh if things change and the Heat power trio breaks up. But Bosh seems determined to remain in Miami. The Rockets are expected to take a run at their former point guard Kyle Lowry, though the Raptors hope to reach agreement to keep him before the Rockets or other teams would have a chance to know where they stand with their initial targets.”
Hawks reportedly a potential suitor for Greg Monroe
Atlanta Hawks are one team that keep coming up as a potential suitor for Greg Monroe as he becomes restricted free agent at 12:01 AM
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2014
Wizards to meet with Ariza on Tuesday. Yahoo Sports: “The Washington Wizards will meet with free-agent forward Trevor Ariza in Los Angeles on Tuesday.”
Evan Turner to become unrestricted free agent with Pacers not expected to extend qualifying offer. USA Today Sports: “The Indiana Pacers, who acquired Turner from the Philadelphia 76ers in a trade during last season, will not extend a qualifying offer of $8.7 million on the final year of his rookie deal, two people familiar with Indiana's decision told USA TODAY Sports.”
7:30 p.m. ET
Multiple playoff teams reportedly interested in Vince Carter. ESPN: "There is strong mutual interest in Vince Carter's return to the Mavericks, but several playoff teams are expected to express interest in the 37-year-old swingman."
Lakers interested in meeting with Nets coaching Hollins. USA Today Sports: “With Lionel Hollins planning to meet with the Brooklyn Nets about their suddenly-vacant coaching position in the coming days, the Los Angeles Lakers appear to have revived interest in the former Memphis Grizzlies coach.”
Pistons decline to pick up option on veteran guard Chauncey Billups
Pistons announce they will not pick up option on Chauncey Billips
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) June 30, 2014
Center Ekpe Udoh to become unrestricted free agent with Bucks not planning to tender offer
The Bucks have told forward-center Ekpe Udoh he will not be tendered an offer thus making him an unrestricted free agent, source told Yahoo.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) June 30, 2014
Kidd's contract with Bucks to pay $12-15 million over three years, not expected to include overriding personnel control
League source said Kidd's contract with Bucks will be for three years and final numbers still being discussed. From $12 mil to $15 mil.
— cfgardner (@cf_gardner) June 30, 2014
Also of note: Kidd's contract is not expected to include any clause granting him final authority over personnel.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) June 30, 2014
The Orlando Magic waived veteran point guard Jameer Nelson
2:30 p.m. ET
Nets want to meet with Hollins
Nets want to meet with Lionel Hollins "soon" about vacant job, per source. No specifics from team yet on contract offer(s).
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 30, 2014
LeBron seeking max salary. ESPN: "Teams that contact James will be informed that he wants no less than the maximum salary number for next season, sources said. The max number is projected to be $22.2 million. In 2010, James accepted a pay cut when he signed with the Miami Heat, taking less than the maximum salary to help make space for other free agents."
Agent Rich Paul to handle initial free agency talks for LeBron. ESPN: "As of now, James is not scheduling any pitch meetings with teams; he will let agent Rich Paul handle the opening stages of talks. In 2010, James scheduled six meetings with teams at his offices in Cleveland over the first three days of July."
Report: Nets not pursuing tampering charges for Bucks
Nets are not considering tampering charges, per sources. Too hard to prove. But few believe Bucks/Kidd discussions started this weekend.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 30, 2014
Pau Gasol to meet with Golden State, Oklahoma City, Chicago, Lakers. Los Angeles Times: "Gasol has said numerous times that his main priority is playing for a title-contending team. He will meet with Oklahoma City, Chicago and Golden State and might also sit down with the Lakers, the team that has employed him since acquiring him from Memphis in February 2008."
Raptors plan to work quickly to sign Lowry
Expect Toronto GM Masai Ujiri to make aggressive bid to keep Kyle Lowry at midnight, try to wrap up deal before Miami/Houston can engage.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2014
12:30 p.m. ET
Report: Bucks fire Larry Drew
Larry Drew has been formally fired as coach of the Bucks, sources told ESPN
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) June 30, 2014
Teams interested in power forward Jordan Hill
On eve of free agency, forward Jordan Hill promises to have several suitors, including Lakers, Mavericks and Rockets, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2014
Lionel Hollins, Ettore Messina, Mark Jackson among candidates to replace Kidd in Brooklyn
Source: 2 of leading candidates for Nets coach - Lionel Hollins and Ettore Messina, former coach of CSKA Moscow
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) June 30, 2014
Lionel Hollins, George Karl and Mark Jackson also candidates in Brooklyn. And Messina ... who has deep ties to Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 30, 2014
Bucks, Nets reach agreement on Kidd.
10:30 a.m. ET
Nets unlikely to net Bucks' first-rounder in exchange for Kidd
Possibility of getting Bucks 1st-round pick for Kidd is remote. Several sources believe deal gets done in 24 hours w/ a 2nd rounder, or two.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2014
Report: Suns pursuing James, Anthony. Yahoo Sports: "Armed with an offer that no else in the NBA can make – a chance to partner with Carmelo Anthony on an instant championship contender – the Phoenix Suns are planning an aggressive pursuit of LeBron James on Tuesday, league sources told Yahoo Sports."
Hawks targeting Luol Deng?
One strong candidate for that $15M-plus of fresh salary cap space in Atlanta, league sources tell Yahoo: Free agent forward Luol Deng.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2014
2014 Free Agent Primer: Big men
Melo reportedly to meet with Bulls first. ESPN.com: "Carmelo Anthony is planning to meet with the Chicago Bulls in Chicago on the opening day of free agency after the NBA's offseason market officially opens Tuesday at 12:01 a.m., according to sources familiar with Anthony's plans."
-- Compiled by SI.com's Chris Johnson.
