NBA Rumors: Latest trade rumors, free agency buzz

2017 NBA Free Agency is underway

DETROIT – The NBA rumor mill is in overdrive. 

The NBA Draft has come and gone - and the NBA's Free Agency period is around the corner, along with what looks to be a busy trade season.

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Several teams have big decisions to make - to rebuild or to keep building. Players like Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin could all have a new home by next season.

Free Agency begins at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, but players can't actually sign until July 7.

Here's the latest rumors and buzz from around the NBA:

Houston Rockets get point guard Chris Paul

The Houston Rockets have reached agreement on a trade for LA Clippers point guard Chris Paul. The Rockets will send Sam Dekker, Patrick Beverley, Lou Williams and a protected first-round pick to the Clippers. The deal was first reported by The Vertical.

Gordon Hayward is on the clock

Free agent guard Gordon Hayward met with Miami and Boston. The Celtics visit included a trip to Fenway Park, and time with Isaiah Thomas and other basketball officials. Haywood is now scheduled to meet with the Utah Jazz before making a decision. He reportedly has no timeline for a decision. (Chris Forsberg, ESPN)

Billups won't join Cleveland 

Chauncy Billups won't takeover as president of basketball operations for the Cleveland Cavaliers. It's being reported he withdrew from consideration. It's believed he was a leading candidate to takeover for David Griffin, whose contract was not renewed.

Pistons hope to keep KCP in Detroit

Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy says keeping Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is a priority in free agency as they have extended him a qualifying offer. The team is bracing for an offer from the Brooklyn Nets.  - Free Press

Cavs tried to swing 5-team deal for Melo, Paul George

The Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly tried to acquire Carmelo Anthony and Paul George as part of a blockbuster five-team trade but couldn't find a taker for Kevin Love to complete the deal. - ESPN

Millsap signs with Denver 

Paul Millsap left Atlanta for Denver on a three-year, $90 million deal. It completes the total overhaul of the Hawks and marks yet another known NBA commodity leaving the east for the west. The Ringer's Haley O'Shaughnessy likes the move: 

"The Nuggets can now boast a frontcourt with Millsap and Nikola Jokic, making Denver the latest team in the West to go from a losing record to alluring competitor."

Dion Waiters to the Lakers? Rondo? 

The Lakers are back in the NBA game and they're looking to add around Lonzo Ball and company. Dion Waiters reportedly met with the team Sunday night and Rajon Rondo may find a spot in LA. Waiters is a strong fit in Miami, though, so a cross-country move may not make sense. 

Lebron not helping Cavs recruit 

Lebron James is not helping the Cavs recruit players to join the team for next season, though he has reportedly be in contact with the team. The Cavs signed Jose Calderon as a backup guard and continue to chase Zach Randolph. - ESPN

Derrick Rose meeting with the Bucks 

Rose met with Milwaukee, but the young Bucks are up against the cap and may not be able to make a move. The Knicks still remain a possibility for Rose, adding to Ian Begley. 

Memphis signs Ben McLemore

The Grizzlies added another piece in former Kings SG Ben McLemore, who got 2 years and $10.7 million to move to Memphis. Sacramento Kings did not extend a qualifying offer to McLemore, making him a unrestricted free agent, league sources tell ESPN.

Phil Jackson, Knicks part ways

Knicks has officially announced the move. "MSG Executive Chairman Jim Dolan and Phil Jackson announced today that, after discussing the future of the New York Knicks, they have mutually agreed to part company. Mr. Jackson is leaving his post as President of Basketball Operations, effective immediately."

Paul George traded to OKC

MVP Russell Westbrook got an all-star caliber running mate in Paul George, who was dealt to OKC for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. The move infuriates Celtics fans, who want the team to actually make a move, but waiting on Gordon Hayward likely complicated the salary cap situation. Now the Thunder get at least a year of Westbrook and George before George can jet for nothing -- and he's made it clear the Lakers are his preferred destination. 

Jeff Teague signs with Minnesota 

The T-Wolves continue their offseason makeover/upgrade with the addition of PG Jeff Teague. He'll replace Ricky Rubio, who was traded to the Jazz. Teague gets $57 million over three years to join Jimmy Butler and Taj Gibson as off-season additions in Minnesota.  

Rudy Gay meeting with teams, OKC likely fit

From WOJ: Free agent Rudy Gay hosts meetings in Austin, Texas with interested suitors this weekend. OKC continues to be a team who sees fit, though he left a meeting with the team without a contract. 

Sixers land J.J. Redick

The 76ers landed the three-point shooting ace on a 1-year, $23 million contract. 

Kyle Lowry resigns with Raptors

PG Kyle Lowry is heading back to the Raptors on a three-year deal reportedly worth $100 million. 

Mavs want to re-sign Nerlens Noel

According to RealGM’s transactions log, the Mavericks have tendered a qualifying offer to Nerlens Noel, while the Jazz have given a QO to Joe Ingles.

Blake Griffin returning to the Clippers 

Griffin scored a massive 5-year, $173 million deal to return to the Clippers, where he'll be the man with Paul heading out of town ot the Rockets. 

Clippers looking at Rudy Gay, Danilo Gallinari

The Clippers are looking to add some pieces around Blake, but they don't have a ton to offer free agents like Rudy Gay and Danilo Gallinari. Gallinario opted out of a $16.1 million deal in Denver, and the Clippers only have $8.4 million to offer. Brad Turner, LA Times

Carmelo Anthony open to trade? 

Woj reports Melo is now open to a trade to the Rockets or Cavs. Either team would have to work out a deal with the Knicks, who could easily keep the superstar forward and his 25 PPG. It's that kind of productivity that makes a buyout unlikely. ESPN

Gentry planning on having Jrue Holiday back

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told The Advocate that Holiday is part of core he wants to keep together. Holiday signed a five-year, $126 million to stay with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins in New Orleans.

Bogdan Bogdanovic agrees to deal with Kings

According to Serbian website Kurir, Bogdan Bogdanovic has already agreed to a three-year $30 million deal with the Sacramento Kings.

Patty Mills resigns in San Antonio 

The Spurs PG gets $50 million over four years. ESPN reports he signed a team-friendly deal that left San Antonio with $13.3 million in cap space to sign an additional player or players. 

Kevin Durant's new deal might not come till July

Golden State Warriors star Kevin Durant plans to wait until after the team completes the bulk of its summer business before re-signing with the NBA champions, according to league sources. - ESPN

Clippers to Seattle? 

Bill Simmons is half joking in his latest column on how to save the Clippers, but the move could work. The Clippers may never surpass the Lakers, but would be top dogs in Seattle. Plus, Steve Ballmer has some close ties to the Emerald City, where he's lived for 30 years. 

Bucks re-sign Tony Snell 

The Milwaukee Bucks can't make many moves this offseason, but they were able to keep one of their own. Swingman Tony Snell is returning to the Deer for four years at $46 million. It's quite the turnaround for Snell, who was an afterthought in Chicago before joining the Bucks in a swap for Michael Carter-Williams. Now, he'll look to improve a team that should be one of the better options in the east next season. 

Speaking of Carter-Williams ... 

He's off to Charlotte on a one-year, $2.7 million deal. The former rookie of the year stays in the league, but his consistent lack of shooting ability has snuffed out a promising career. 

Check back for updates.


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.