NBA Rumors: Courtney Lee, Eduardo Najera and Latest Free Agency Buzz

The 2012 NBA free-agency period started with a bang but is quickly fizzling out.

Most of the big name players have agreed to new deals and many restricted free agents have either been extended or gone on to new teams already.

However, there are a still a number of role players on the open market that could make a big impact on a title contender.

Let’s take a look at a few of rumors flying around for these gentlemen on this fine Wednesday.

Courtney Lee

The Boston Celtics are still extremely interested in the free-agent guard—and the feeling is apparently mutual—but the team is struggling to come up with the funds to properly pay him.

According to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald, the C’s just have a $1.975 million biannual exception left to give after signing Jason Terry, Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass, Jeff Green and Chris Wilcox to new contracts.

After failing to work a sign-and-trade for Terry with the Mavericks, Boston just doesn’t have the cap space to give Lee the $5 million mid-level that he likely will get from another squad.

Eduardo Najera

This Mexican native has been a productive NBA forward for over 12 seasons. He last played with the Charlotte Bobcats, who are understandably looking to get younger and have little use for a 36-year-old role player at this time.

ESPN’s Alvaro Martin found that four teams are interested in acquiring the 6’8”, 235-pound player to add depth along their frontcourts.

Najera has career averages of 4.9 points, 3.7 rebounds in 18.1 minutes per game. He’s a solid backup that can guard multiple positions while putting in easy buckets.

It’ll be interesting to see which four teams are in the market for his services and if they are contenders or pretenders.

Ryan Gomes

The Los Angeles Clippers officially amnestied Gomes last night as a cap space-saving measure so that the team could acquire Grant Hill.

Gomes was only due $4 million for the upcoming season, the last on his deal.

Now the 29-year-old forward will be able to be bid upon by teams with cap space and then, should he not be picked up off the amnesty waiver, becomes free to sign with whatever team will take him.

There should definitely be some sort of market for a 6’7”, 245-pound player with career averages of 10.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.