NBA Rumors: Latest trade rumors, free agency buzz

2017 NBA Free Agency begins July 1

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.

Clippers aim to retain Blake Griffin after Paul trade

After dealing Chris Paul to the Houston Rockets in a sign-and-trade, the LA Clippers will shift their focus to retaining free-agent-to-be Blake Griffin, a source told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Gordon Hayward to meet with three teams

Free agent guard Gordon Hayward to start meetings with Heat. Hayward is set to meet with the Utah Jazz and Boston Celtics next week. (Jorge Sedano, ESPN)

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. - Detroit News

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

Kings won't re-sign Ben McLemore

The Sacramento Kings will not extend a qualifying offer to shooting guard Ben McLemore and he'll become an 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."

Cavs, Pacers and Nuggets working on three-way trade:

ESPN's Marc Stein reports the three teams working on a deal that would send Paul George to Cleveland, and Kevin Love to Denver.

Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com reported Sunday night that the talks were 'nothing serious' - but confirmed the discussions. 

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith reports that Paul George would be willing to stay in Cleveland if trades there, if LeBron sticks around.

“He’s obviously indicated he doesn’t want to stay with the Pacers, which has put them in a bind,” Smith said of Paul George. “He can’t stay there; they’ve got to make a move this summer because they can’t open the season with him. So they’re looking to move him. According to numerous reports, he’s told the Los Angeles Lakers that he wants to be there. He intends and practically guaranteed them that he’s coming by summer 2018. But from what I heard as recently as a couple of days ago, is that he’s letting word leak to the Cleveland Cavaliers that if LeBron indeed elects to stay in Cleveland, then Paul George won’t depart Cleveland as long as LeBron is still there if they pull off a trade to acquire him.”

John Wall wants Paul George in Washington, Boston also in the mix

Washington Wizards point guard John Wall told ESPN that he's pushing to Paul George to come to Washington.

"I am talking to some guys—Paul," Wall said Monday, per Marc J. Spears of ESPN's The Undefeated. "I know his ultimate goal of where he wants to be. I'm trying to see if we can make something happen."

Paul George also reportedly thinks Boston would be a good fit. 

The Vertical reports: The Boston Celtics are pursuing an aggressive summer plan of sequencing the signing of free agent Gordon Hayward and relinquishing the assets needed to complete a trade for Paul George, league sources told The Vertical.

7 teams interested in Andre Iguodala

ESPN.com's Chris Haynes reported the Minnesota Timberwolves, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz are all interested in Iguodala.

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.

Ricky Rubio on the block, again

ESPN's Marc Stein reports Minnesota point guard Ricky Rubio is on the trading block again, following the Jimmy Butler deal.

Sixers, Nets target J.J. Redick

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reports the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets will pursue free agent shooting guard J.J. Redick, who has played the last four seasons with the Clippers.

"Multiple league sources I've spoken to expect the Sixers and Nets to make a hard push at Redick. Were he to go to either of those teams, Redick could receive an opportunity unlike anything he's had before."

Kyle Lowry drawing interest from 76ers, Timberwolves and Raptors

Raptors guard DeMar Derozan also appears confident as he told Sports Illustrated he plans to stay out of Lowry’s decision-making process.

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.

Could Blake Griffin actually sign elsewhere?

Griffin will test the free agent market, and while most believe he'll end up back with the Clippers - Denver is looking to get into the action.

Marc Stein and Chris Haynes of ESPN.com broke the report about Denver's surprise entrance to the Griffin sweepstakes: "Denver, according to sources, also hopes to crash the list of suitors for Los Angeles Clippers unrestricted free agent Blake Griffin and Atlanta Hawks unrestricted free agent Paul Millsap."

Carmelo Anthony wants to stay in New York?

It was rumored that Knicks stars Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis were both on the trading block. According to Frank Isola, however, it seems that Anthony agreeing to any trade is unlikely, as the All-Star forward is "reluctant" to leave New York: Via the New York Daily News

Marc Stein reports: Carmelo Anthony's camp, while acknowledging Melo's preference to stay in NYC, has tried to engage the Knicks in buyout talks. But league sources say that the Knicks have thus far resisted the idea of a Melo buyout that would clear the way for him to join the Cavs.

Keith Britton reports: "If he gets a buyout, it's a pretty foregone conclusion from what I'm told, it would be Cleveland"

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.

"I think if we do get him back you’re going to see the best Jrue Holiday since I’ve been here, because obviously the thing with his wife has gotten a lot better and his body is probably in the best shape it’s been in a few years."

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.

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

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.