NBA rumors: Free agency and trades

Follow along here for all the NBA free agency rumors, updates and news.

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Jul 6, 2015

The NBA free agency period began at 12:01 a.m. ET on July 1 and teams immediately began formally jockeying for position to sign some of the league's top talent.

While players and teams can now officially agree to contracts, players can't officially sign contracts until July 9.

Like every off-season, this one is jam-packed with intrigue and storylines. Questions abound: Will LeBron James and J.R. Smith remain in Cleveland? Will David West get his wish and sign with a title contender?

Fortunately, you can follow every move in NBA free agency with our free-agent tracker, along with our analysis and grades from our NBA experts. Below, you'll also find rankings for the top 25 free agents, positional rankings, top storylines to watch and the latest trade rumors and buzz.

Best available | Free agent tracker | Grading deals

Free Agent Signings:

Rumors

• While rumors of a Joe Johnson trade to Cleveland heated up last week, SI.com's Chris Mannix reports that Johnson trade buzz has died down. It's been days since a Johnson deal to Cleveland has been discussed, and even longer for a Johnson deal to Memphis, according to Mannix.

• The Cavaliers remain intent on re-signing point guard Matthew Dellavedova even after agreeing to a deal with Mo Williams, ESPN's Marc Stein reports. Dellavedova is a restricted free agent.

• Mo Williams is returning to the Cavaliers on a two-year, $4.3 million deal, according to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski. The free agent guard last played in Cleveland during the 2010-11 season. Williams split time with the Timberwolves and Hornets last season. Williams had considered other deals with San Antonio, Dallas, and New Orleans, Wojnarowski reports.

• The Cavaliers are exploring trading Brendan Haywood to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for guard Jamal Crawford, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. Cleveland.com reports that the Heat have also contacted the Clippers about Crawford.

• The Cleveland.com report also notes that the Cavaliers' chances of the Cavaliers re-signing guard J.R. Smith are “small.”

• Leandro Barbosa has agreed to return to the Warriors on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, reports ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne.

• The Jazz are finalizing a deal to bring back forward Joe Ingles, reports Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski. Wojnarowski adds that it is a a two-year deal worth $4.5 million.

• David West turned down $12 million with the Pacers to agree to a veteran's minimum deal with the Spurs, TNT's David Aldridge reports.

• Free-agent forward Josh Smith is being targeted by the Clippers, reports ESPN.com's Ramona Shelburne.

• European forward Nemanja Bjelica agreed to a three-year, $11.7 million deal with the Timberwolves, reports Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski. Bjelica, 27, was named Euroleague MVP this year before opting out of his contract with Fenerbahçe Ülker to head to the NBA.

• Manu Ginobili will return to the Spurs for another season, he announced on Monday. Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the two sides are still “working through” contract details for next season.

• Two interesting tidbits from Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling: Andre Miller, 40, is planning on playing next season and is meeting with teams. Also, a new suitor has emerged for Mo Williams's services: the Spurs.

• Former Lakers and Clippers point guard Jordan Farmar is heading back to Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he played during the 2011-12 season.

• Richard Jefferson returned to the Mavericks on a veteran's minimum deal last week. ESPN.com's Tim MacMahon reports we can expect the same from Charlie Villanueva.

• Another familiar name to keep an eye on for the Mavericks: Jason Terry. Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports the team has reached out to gauge the veteran's interest.

• Let the chatter about next off-season begin—if it already hasn't. While the Clippers might struggle to replace DeAndre Jordan this season, they reportedly have their eyes on a different big man next summer. According to Chris Palmer, there is mutual interest between the Clips and Kevin Durant.

• Dallas continues to try and fill out their roster after luring DeAndre Jordan away from the Clippers. The Mavericks are pursuing a sign-and-trade to acquire free agent point guard Jeremy Lin from the Lakers, according to Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski.

• The Cavaliers are considering a trade for Nets guard Joe Johnson, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports. A potential Brooklyn-Cleveland deal could include the Cavs sending Brendan Haywood's non-guaranteed contract to the Nets as a cost-saving measure for Brooklyn, Windhorst says. Johnson's salary for next season is $24.8 million, making him the second-highest-paid player in the league.

• The Knicks have been in "constant contact" with the representatives for forward Lou Amundso about bringing him back next season, reports ESPN's Ian Begley.

• The Knicks are also continuing to talk to Jason Smith's representatives about bringing the forward back for next season, reports ESPN's Ian Begley.

• The Lakers and Pacers are in talks for a deal that would send center Roy Hibbert to Los Angeles, reports ESPN's Marc Stein. The deal for the former All-Star would put the Lakers over the salary cap for the upcoming season if it is completed. ESPN's Ramona Shelburne adds that the deal is expected to be done by July 9.

• With the Spurs and Cavaliers now heavily in on David West, the Wizards are "monitoring" the situation while working to re-sign power forward Drew Gooden and sign another wing player, reports TNT's David Aldridge.