NBA free agency: Latest buzz, rumors

With NBA free agency under way, the rumor mill is churning at high speed. Which teams are looking to swing deals? Which free agents are eyeing new teams? Here are the latest news and reports:

1 a.m. ET

Heat president Riley confident Big 3 will be back. USA Today Sports: “This much is clear: Riley is confident James, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade will return, according to people who have had phone conversations with Riley in the last week. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports under the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the conversations.”

Knicks feeling uneasy about Melo

Vibe I get out of New York, meanwhile, is legitimate unease ... given that some in the organization expected a decision from Melo by Monday
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 8, 2014

Report: Garnett sued by neighbor for illegal home renovations

Kobe Bryant recruiting Steve Blake, Caron Butler

If Lakers do get Melo - and Pau - speculatively I could see Steve Blake and Caron Butler back with team - I hear Kobe recruiting both
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) July 8, 2014

Strong competition for Gasol, who reportedly met Monday with Thunder

Competition for Pau, though, remains stacked. You've got Thunder/Spurs/Bulls still chasing PLUS Knicks or Lakers depending on who gets Melo
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 8, 2014

As part of Thunder's continuing pursuit of Pau Gasol, I'm told OKC coach Scotty Brooks met today with Gasol to add his pitch to the pile
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 8, 2014

Westbrook withdraws from U.S. World Cup roster

Report: Knicks president Phil Jackson has contacted 76ers about trading Amare Stoudemire's expiring contract; potential deal could involve Shumpert. New York Post: “Knicks president Phil Jackson is still trying to clear this year’s payroll and has looked at avenues to try and trade Amar’e Stoudemire’s expiring contract, already having contacted the obvious team, the 76ers.”

Big-name free agents not interested in taking pay cuts to join Big 3 in Miami. Fox Sports Ohio: “That said, it is believed bigger name free agents such as Paul Gasol (Lakers), Trevor Ariza (Wizards) and Luol Deng (Cavs) are not interested in the reduced salaries the Heat are offering, just to possibly play alongside James,Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.”

Pistons hire Brian Wright as assistant GM

Pistons not eager to cut ties with Josh Smith

Addendum to earlier Pistons intel: they're not eager to part ways with Josh Smith as has been indicated. Value him and not eager to dump.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 8, 2014

Free-agent point guard Mo Williams set to meet with Dallas

Blazers free agent point guard Mo Williams is scheduled to meet with the Mavericks tomorrow, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 8, 2014

6:30 p.m. ET

Magic, Frye agree to four-year, $32 million deal

Channing Frye has agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal with the Magic, source tells Yahoo Sports.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2014

Mavericks has considered offer sheet for free agent Parsons

Dallas has pursued an offer sheet for Chandler Parsons, but he's still open on market, sources said. Interest is growing.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2014

Shooting guard Garrett Temple leaning towards Miami

Garrett Temple leaning toward Miami, I'm told.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 7, 2014

Cavaliers still reportedly expressing interest in Ariza

Cavs continue to express serious interest in Trevor Ariza, per sources. LeBron James is obviously No. 1 target, but Ariza is part of Plan B.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) July 7, 2014

Carter closer to deal with Mavs, but still being pursued by several teams

Pistons no longer pursuing free agent point guard Thomas

The Pistons, I'm told, are not involved with free agent Isaiah Thomas. The former Kings PG had been connected to them previously.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 7, 2014

Report: Houston Bosh's top choice if he leaves Miami. Yahoo Sports: "Houston has emerged as Bosh's top choice, should he leave the Heat, sources told Yahoo Sports. The circumstances make the Rockets a natural fit for him. Bosh can play the power forward spot alongside All-Star center "Dwight Howard. He can get a maximum contract deal starting in the $20 million range annually. And he can compete for a championship in his home state of Texas, where a partnership with Howard, James Harden and restricted free agent Chandler Parsons makes the Rockets a most formidable threat in the Western Conference."

Pierce seeking two-year deal worth $9-10 million per

Paul Pierce's representatives have told teams Pierce is seeking a two-year contract in the $9-10 million per year range, per sources.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) July 7, 2014

Bosh waiting on LeBron's next move

Important point on Bosh: He's waiting on direction from LeBron, source says, not the other way around.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 7, 2014

Nets, European forward Bogdanovic agree to three-year deal

League source says Bojan Bogdanovic will agree to a three-year deal with a player option in 3rd year for the Nets' mini midlevel exception
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) July 7, 2014

Lakers, Mavericks, Celtics showing interest in Lance Stephenson

In addition to Dallas & Lakers, Boston also showing interest in Lance Stephenson, source said
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 7, 2014

Big man Aaron Gray, Pistons agrees to deal

Source: Aaron Gray agees to a multi year deal w/pistons
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 7, 2014

LeBron James' inner circle reportedly wants him to return to Cleveland

Guard Nando De Colo turns down Raptors offer, joins Russian club CSKA Moscow

Heat still confident they can keep LeBron

Within Heat, still confidence they'll keep LeBron James. They know difference between his agent's agenda, and James' strong mind of his own.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2014

Report: Melo torn between Lakers, Knicks, Bulls

Report: Rockets offer Chris Bosh four-year, $88 million max deal

Miami Heat, Danny Granger reach agreement on two-year deal

The Miami Heat agreed to terms with free-agent forward Josh McRoberts

10 a.m. ET

Report: LeBron James warming up to idea of joining Cavaliers? ESPN: “There has yet to be a firm indication that James actually is ready to leave Miami after four years and two championships with the Heat, but sources told ESPN.com that the four-time MVP is increasingly considering the Cavaliers as an option as he moves into the final stages of deciding which team to sign his next contract with.”

Carmelo's decision not expected to be delayed late into week

After contemplating his options this weekend,free agent Carmelo Anthony's decision isn't expected to linger late into the week,a source said
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 7, 2014

Atlanta still pursuing Deng

Amid all this focus on LeBron/Melo/Bosh ... word is Atlanta continues to press for one of Miami's presumably out-of-reach targets: Luol Deng
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 7, 2014

Chris Bosh/Dwyane Wade uneasy about James' next move

Around Bosh/Wade, there's uneasiness about James' intent; uncertainty. No one's sure -- yet. Heat aren't done, but empire's teetering.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2014

Lakers, Mavericks have shown interest in Lance Stephenson. ESPN: "“Stephenson has drawn interest from the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, though both teams have other free agents prioritized above Stephenson, according to sources.”

Rockets intensifying pursuit of Chris Bosh. ESPN: “The Houston Rockets have ramped up their pursuit of Chris Bosh and are, in the words of one source, "heavily engaged" in trying to convince the All-Star power forward to leave the Miami Heat in free agency.”

Pierce wants to play at least two more seasons, still considering Nets

Nets FA Paul Pierce wants to play at least 2 more seasons, likes the way his body is holding up & is still very high on Nets, a source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) July 7, 2014

Mavericks targeting Parsons, Deng, Ariza. ESPN: “Dallas, believing it will likely lose out on both LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, will attempt to sign Chandler Parsons away from the Houston Rockets. The Mavericks also have Luol Deng and Trevor Ariza in their sights, sources said.”

Bosh yet to talk directly to Houston

Chris Bosh still hasn't taken step of talking directly with Rockets, sources tell Yahoo Sports. If he does, things could change fast here.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2014

Hornets Rookie involved in altercation during local pickup game

Cleveland looking to unload Jarrett Jack's salary in attempt to create cap space for LeBron James

Cavaliers want to unload Jarrett Jack's $6M annual deal to clear space, without touching Anderson Varejao -- a LeBron James favorite.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2014

In pursuit of max slot for LeBron James, Cavs searching for team to take Nets' Marcus Thornton in deal to unload Jarrett Jack, sources say.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 7, 2014

Cavaliers, rep of LeBron James have discussed how they would assemble roster around LBJ

The Cavs have laid out scenarios to LeBron James rep detailing how the Cavs would pursue other top free-agent and assemble a roster for him.
— Joe Kotoch Real Estate (@luxuryagentchi) July 7, 2014

LeBron James and agent Rich Paul to meet this week with Heat president Pat Riley.

The Clippers agreed to sign point guard Jordan Farmar to a two-year contract.

The Spurs agreed to sign Boris Diaw to a three-year contract.

- Compiled by Chris Johnson