NBA Free Agency Rumors: Latest Buzz on Steve Nash and Top Guards

The NBA free agency period doesn't officially begin until 12:01 a.m. on July 1, but the rumors are already flying fast and furious. This is particularly true for three big-name guards: Steve Nash, Deron Williams and Ray Allen. 

It's hard to find a free agency rumor nowadays that doesn't involve one of these three players and they can admittedly be a bit hard to keep track of sometimes. 

Here's the latest we know concerning each of the three. 

Steve Nash

We're still no closer to knowing where Steve Nash will end up for the 2012-2013 season. All that is known is that Nash is most likely headed for greener pastures than the desert.

He has expressed a desire for a large payday, though, which could be bad news for teams like the Miami Heat and New York Knicks, who are both operating on a tight budget. 

Nash himself has said: 

"

I definitely feel I want to be validated monetarily to an extent. It’s still very important. I think money in many ways represents respect. For example, if you sign with a team and take half or less money, six months later they trade you. It has to be one of the factors. It’s not everything but it is important and will be one of the factors involved.

"

Nash has been rumored to go just about everywhere. Even the Toronto Raptors are in play, according to Fox Sports' Randy Hill.

Don't expect any clarity for the next couple days, given all the turmoil sure to follow the draft. 

Deron Williams

The No. 1 point guard—and overall player—in this year's free agency class, Deron Williams has narrowed his list of potential teams to just the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks, as ESPN's Marc Stein reports.

Stein continues by writing, 

"

Sources say Williams, in any case, already has instructed his representatives to advise any team that calls starting at 12:01 a.m. July 1 that he intends to either re-sign with the Nets or return to his hometown with the Mavericks after a glittering high school career in the Dallas area.

"

Every team in need of a point guard is sure to make this call, but it seems as though Williams' representatives are essentially going to hang up on those calling. The one team for which there could be an exception is the Houston Rockets, who have been stockpiling draft picks. 

Houston has been maneuvering to bring Dwight Howard to Texas—on a team other than the Dallas Mavericks—and that could be enough to entice Williams to hop on board.

According to Chris Broussard, some subtle signs have been pointing in the direction of the Nets right now.  

Nets head coach Avery Johnson was one of the eight people who were both invited and in attendance at D-Will's birthday celebration at a restaurant in New York. Moreover, general manager Billy King claimed that he was invited as well. While Johnson is an understandable inclusion, it's doubtful that Williams has interacted enough with King to form the personal connection necessary to garner an invite. 

Additionally, Broussard reports that Williams made a very brief appearance at King's press conference and smiled.

Yes, we're officially reading into everything. 

Ray Allen

The all-time leader in three-pointers made may very well be the next player to take his talents to South Beach. After all, ESPN's Brian Windhorst broke the news that there is mutual interest between the Miami Heat and Ray Allen. 

This would be an incredible fit for the Heat and Allen alike, as there would be an upgraded threat from downtown to complement the paint-crashing play of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. 

However, not everyone is prepared to think of this marriage as inevitable. Danny Ainge is holding his horses. 

NESN's Ben Wantanabe shared this quote from the Boston Celtics general manager: 

"

I have had conversations with Ray, not contract-specific but just what his hopes are, what he thinks about our team, would he like to come back and all those types of things. Yeah, I think Ray's open to coming back.

"

Wantanabe makes it clear that Ainge is speculating and not operating on any factual basis. The truth of the matter is that no one knows exactly what Allen is going to do yet. 

The New York Knicks are also rumored to be a possible landing spot for Allen, according to the NY Daily News' Mitch Lawrence. Apparently, Allen, O.J. Mayo and Jason Terry are primary targets for Glen Grunwald and the New York brass. 

I believe the Heat remain the favorites in the chase for Allen's services, but they are by no means the runaway favorites.