NBA Free Agents 2012: Latest News and Notes on Day 2

The wild and crazy NBA free agency period continued on Thursday, the second day that teams could officially sign players to new contracts.

Although the wheeling and dealing has slowed down some, there were still several major revelations from the day. A few big-name players were amnestied, a couple teams made solid acquisitions, and as always, there are some fresh rumors surrounding the remaining free agents.

Without wasting any more time, let's get to the latest news and notes from Thursday's NBA action.

Report: Rockets to Use Amnesty Clause on Luis Scola

The Houston Rockets will reportedly used the amnesty clause on veteran forward Luis Scola, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports.

Wojnarowski released this series of tweets Thursday afternoon, detailing the situation.

"

Houston has decided to use the amnesty provision on Luis Scola and will likely file with NBA on Friday, league sources tell Y! Sports.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012"

"

Scola has three years and $21 million left on his contract. The Rockets are clearing space in pursuit of a Dwight Howard deal.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012"

"

The Rockets will soon have the space to absorb Orlando's Dwight Howard, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Chris Duhon and Epcot Center.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012"

"

The Mavericks will be aggressive bidders for Scola on the amnesty wire, league sources said. Dallas is serious about Elton Brand too.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 12, 2012"

This is a major development, as the 32-year-old Scola still has plenty of productive basketball ahead of him.

After dominating the European basketball scene, Scola has averaged 14.5 points and 7.7 assists per game over the course of his five-year NBA career. He's also been very efficient, shooting 51 percent from the field and 74.4 percent on free throws.

Scola should put up similar numbers for the remainder of his contract, as he's proven to be consistent and durable during his NBA tenure. He's missed just eight regular season games during the last five seasons, and he's shot at least 49.1 percent from the field every year he's been in Houston.

We'll have all the updates on his situation when they are made available.

Darko Milicic Amnestied by Minnesota

In the latest disappointing chapter in the career of Darko Milicic, the Minnesota Timberwolves used the amnesty clause to rid themselves of the seven-footer (h/t Associated Press, via Sports Illustrated).

The No. 2 pick in the 2003 NBA draft, Milicic averaged just 4.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 16.3 minutes per game for Minnesota last season. He only appeared in 23 games for the T-Wolves last year.

Milicic has proven he can be productive at times, and as a mobile big man with a decent skill set, he will likely find a home in the NBA. That home just isn't in Minnesota.

Timberwolves Continue Pursuit of Nicolas Batum

It's no secret that the Timberwolves and Nicolas Batum have a mutual interest, and Minnesota has extended a four-year, $45 million offer to the 6'8" Frenchman (h/t Associated Press, via Yahoo! Sports).

Unfortunately for both parties, Batum is a restricted free agent, meaning the Blazers can match the offer and keep him in Portland. Blazers GM Neil Olshey has repeatedly stated that they plan to match any offer for Batum, but as Joe Freeman of the The Oregonian reports, he has yet to have that opportunity.

"

At this moment, the #Blazers have not received an offer sheet from Minnesota revealing a deal to sign RFA Nicolas Batum.

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) July 13, 2012"

Olshey also did not reveal whether the teams were in talks about a potential sign-and-trade for the versatile forward.

"

#Blazers GM Neil Olshey did not indicate whether the teams are engaged in a sign and trade.

— Joe Freeman (@BlazerFreeman) July 13, 2012"

The 23-year-old Batum averaged 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game last season. If the Timberwolves were to add him, they would likely be a playoff team in 2012-13.

Report: Bobcats Land Ramon Sessions

Ramon Sessions opted out of his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this year, and according to Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports, his new team will be the Charlotte Bobcats.

"

Point guard Ramon Sessions landing a two-year deal with Bobcats, source tells Yahoo! Sports.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 12, 2012"

Sessions averaged 12.7 points and 6.2 assists per game after being traded from Cleveland to L.A. Unfortunately, the 26-year-old's production fell off in the playoffs, and after the Lakers brought in Steve Nash, Sessions was no longer needed in L.A. 

It's unclear what his role will be in Charlotte, as the Bobcats already have point guards Kemba Walker and D.J. Augustin on the roster.

Bobcats in Bidding War for Kris Humphries

The Charlotte Bobcats aren't just satisfied with Sessions, as they are also going after Brooklyn Nets power forward Kris Humphries.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Bobcats and Nets have both made three-year offers to Humphries.

"

Numbers circulating in Kris Humphries' bidding war: Word is Nets offering three-year deal worth $24 mil; Bobcats offering three years, $22M

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 12, 2012"

Since receiving more playing time in the last two seasons, the 27-year-old Humphries has become a double-double machine. He averaged 13.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for the Nets last season, while shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and starting all 62 games he played in.

With the Nets adding Joe Johnson and re-signing Deron Williams, Gerald Wallace and Brook Lopez, Brooklyn will certainly be better than Charlotte next season. Considering that they're also offering more money, I'm not sure why Humphries hasn't re-signed already.