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
Lakers to meet with Carmelo Anthony Thursday
Raptors to meet with Kyle Lowry Tuesday
Houston looking to move quickly with Lowry
Knicks confident they will get final meeting with Melo
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
Big man Spencer Hawes drawing interest from contenders
Miami, Atlanta, Dallas, Clippers reach reach out to Luol Deng
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
Bulls, Mavericks, Lakers, Suns among teams showing interest in Chandler Parsons
10:30 p.m. ET
Big Three to give Riley time to “enact his plan.”
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
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
Center Ekpe Udoh to become unrestricted free agent with Bucks not planning to tender offer
Kidd's contract with Bucks to pay $12-15 million over three years, not expected to include overriding personnel control
The Orlando Magic waived veteran point guard Jameer Nelson
2:30 p.m. ET
Nets want to meet with Hollins
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
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
12:30 p.m. ET
Report: Bucks fire Larry Drew
Teams interested in power forward Jordan Hill
Lionel Hollins, Ettore Messina, Mark Jackson among candidates to replace Kidd in Brooklyn
Bucks, Nets reach agreement on Kidd.
10:30 a.m. ET
Nets unlikely to net Bucks' first-rounder in exchange for Kidd
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?
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.
