NBA rumors: Latest news, buzz around free agency
The NBA draft is in the books, meaning it’s now time to turn full attention toward free agency and trade season. With the newest NBA rookie class assigned to the league's 30 teams, free agency is beginning to get in swing. Multiple high-profile players could be on the move, either by trade or free agency.
What’s the latest? Check back often as we update below with all the latest scoops, news and rumors.
As a reminder, you can check out all of SI.com’s NBA draft coverage here, as well as the draft winners and loses here and the list of the top players to not be drafted here.
June 29
• Portland Trail Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge is leaning toward signing with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to the Los Angeles Times, which declared the Lakers' brand "back." But other reports signaled that Aldridge was still seriously considering other teams, as well. Aldridge will sit down with the San Antonio Spurs at a meeting that is expected to be attended by coach Gregg Popovich, and veteran players Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, according to Yahoo! Sports.
• Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has decided to opt out of the final year of his contract, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. The 33-year-old signed a two-year, $31.1 million deal with Miami last summer. If Wade had exercised his player option, he would have made $16.1 million this upcoming season. Wade’s publicist later confirmed his decision.
• Luol Deng has elected to opt in to the final year of his contract with the Miami Heat, reports Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. Deng's decision comes after a separate report on Monday that said the Heat expected Deng to opt out. Deng’s agent later confirmed his decision.
• Los Angeles Clippers center and unrestricted free agent DeAndre Jordan is expected to meet with the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks and Clippers once the free agent period begins, reports USA Today’s Sam Amick. The Mavericks are the team considered likeliest to convince Jordan to leave Los Angeles, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon, although the Los Angeles Times said Lakers star Kobe Bryant reportedly called Jordan to personally let him know of the team's interest in him, while actor Jamie Foxx joined Jordan and Clippers' coach Doc Rivers at a recent dinner.
• Chicago Bulls shooting guard Jimmy Butler would like to sign a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, reports Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News. The Bulls are expected to match any offer for Butler, a restricted free agent, according to Medina.
• The Bulls have given Butler both a qualifying offer and a maximum qualifying offer, reports the Los Angeles Times’ Eric Pincus.
• Pero Antic is leaving the NBA to play overseas, Nikos Varlas of Eurohoops.net reports. The power forward has played for the Atlanta Hawks for the past two seasons, and averaged 6.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
• Dallas Mavericks small forward Al-FarouqAminu is scheduled to visit several teams including the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, reports TNT's David Aldridge.
• Detroit Pistons forward Greg Monroe told The Advocate in Baton Rouge that he's seeking a two-year deal with an option when he becomes an unrestricted free agent this summer. "I’m looking to be with a team that’s ready to win,” Monroe told the paper. Monroe also said he'll meet with five teams this week as he determines whom he will play for next season.
• The New York Knicks are viewed as the favorite to sign Greg Monroe, reports Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. Wojnarowski reports that league executives have believed for months that the 6'11'' power forward will land in New York.
• The Knicks are also viewed as the frontrunners to sign guard Arron Afflalo, reports Wojnarowski.
• Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love is likely to re-sign with the team, according to multiple reports.
• The Los Angeles Lakers are exploring options to trade D'Angelo Russell to the Sacramento Kings for center DeMarcus Cousins, reportsThe Los Angeles Daily News.
• Memphis Grizzlies officials will be in Spain to meet with center Marc Gasol when free agency begins, reports 92.9 FM ESPN's Chris Vernon.
• Guard Brandon Knight will sign a five-year, $70 million contract with the Phoenix Suns, reports Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. Phoenix acquired Brandon Knight in a three-team trade in February.
• There's a growing feelingaround the league that the Phoenix Suns will explore trading guard Eric Bledsoe if they sign Brandon Knight to a contract, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. The Suns signed Bledsoe to a five-year, $70 million contract last September.
• The Charlotte Hornets have declined to tender a qualifying offer to center Bismack Biyombo, reports Yahoo! Sports Marc J. Spears.
MORE NBA: Full draft results | SI.com's draft tracker | Trade roundup
