NBA Rumors: Summer's Hottest Speculation and More

With sweltering heat raining down upon the East Coast this week, it's only appropriate that the 2012 NBA offseason keeps the rumor mill heat going.

The offseason's main prize, Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, is seemingly headed to the Los Angeles Lakers sooner than later.  

But what about the forgotten men available on the free-agency pool or trade market? Follow along as we go over the hottest speculation going on around the NBA.

Dwight Howard Willing to Extend with Lakers?

Real GM columnist Jarrod Rudolph broke the story early Thursday morning that Dwight Howard had changed course on going to Los Angeles and is now willing to extend past this upcoming season.  

"

Sources: Dwight Howard is ready to join Lakers. If traded to Los Angeles Howard will re-sign long-term with team after 2012-13 season.

— Jarrod N Rudolph (@JRudolphSports) July 19, 2012"

For months, it had looked like Howard was headed to the Brooklyn Nets, but the team grew tired of negotiating a trade with the Magic and re-signed incumbent center Brook Lopez.

In Los Angeles, Howard will get the exposure of the mass media market he desires and play for one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. It also doesn't hurt that the trade would pair Howard with fellow All-Stars Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Steve Nash.

The Houston Rockets are still somewhere in the mix here, but it seems like their chances of landing Howard dwindle by the minute.  

Andrew Bynum to Cleveland?

Another development on the Howard trade market has been that the Cleveland Cavaliers have emerged as front-runners for Andrew Bynum.  

And while some thought that Bynum, who is in the final year of his contract, would be reluctant to play in a small market, it turns out the 24-year-old center is open to playing in Cleveland.

According to Fox Sports writer Sam Amico, the interest from Bynum comes from his love of Cavs coach Byron Scott and point guard Kyrie Irving and desire for more of a starring role.  

Writes Amico:

"

Also, several sources indicated Bynum may be tired of playing the role of third wheel behind Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol with the Lakers – and perhaps may now even be the fourth option following the Lakers' acquisition of Steve Nash (from the Suns).

Bynum, 24, has won two championships with the Lakers and seemingly prefers to play somewhere "where he's one of the top two reasons a team wins or loses a ring," said one source close to him.

"

Anderson Varejao to Orlando Magic in Howard-Bynum Deal?

ESPN.com's Ric Bucher was the first to report Varejao's involvement in the rumored three-team deal that would send Bynum to Cleveland and Howard to L.A.

On one hand, Varejao's involvement makes sense.  He's a cheap, well-known and productive power forward who could step in for the Magic and at least give them one recognizable player.

On the other side of the coin, Varejao is 29 years old and would likely be far past his prime by the time Orlando's rebuilt enough to contend.  

So what's the real reasoning behind Varejao's rumored involvement? According to Sam Amico, Varejao would simply serve as a nice trade piece for the Magic to move down the line for young talent and assets.  

No Chance Jason Richardson Heads to Los Angeles Along with Howard?

Richardson might be the most talented contract of the sunk cost quadrangle in Orlando, but there's no chance he'll be headed to the Lakers, according to Sam Amico.

The reason? A supposed behind-the-scenes rift between Richardson and Steve Nash, dating back to their days playing together in Phoenix.

"

Lakers will not take Jason Richardson. He supposedly has personal issue with Steve Nash. @withmalice @enc0ur

— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 19, 2012"

While some tried tell Amico that the rift between the Nash and Richardson was a falsehood, he made it clear that the Lakers aren't taking their chances.

"

Whether the Jason Richardson & Nash issue is a "false rumor" or not, I can tell you with confidence Lakers wouldn't take Richardson.

— Sam Amico (@SamAmicoFSO) July 19, 2012"

With the Lakers in need of backup guard help, this might be the only negative to come out of the Nash signing.  

Bulls Trying and Failing to Deal Richard Hamilton?

With just 28 games under his belt as a member of the Chicago Bulls, it seems like the Bulls are ready to move on from shooting guard Richard Hamilton.

The team has made signing a shooting guard a top priority, with free agents Brandon Rush and Michael Redd among its targets.

Unfortunately for Chicago, Rip seemingly has no takers.

Per the Chicago Tribune:

"

Along these lines, league sources said the Bulls have shopped Richard Hamilton’s expiring $5 million deal, which carries a mere $1 million guarantee for 2013-14. Thus far, there have been no takers.

"

Considering Hamilton is coming off an injury-marred season, that’s not particularly shocking considering the presence of the aforementioned trio. Eventually the Hamilton market will pick up, but will it come too late for the Bulls to pick up an impact player?

Knicks out on Mickael Pietrus?

After being on the New York Knicks radar for much of the offseason, it seems like the team has pulled out of negotiations with small forward Mickael Pietrus, per ESPNNewYork.com's Jared Zwerling:

"

Count Mickael Pietrus out for #Knicks. He has a "huge" offer overseas but wants to play for an NBA playoff team for more than vet's minimum.

"

"— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) July 19, 2012"

The nine-year veteran Pietrus might be better off at this point taking his huge overseas contract, as not too many teams are willing to spend more than the veteran's minimum on a 38.5 percent shooter. It's possible that a perimeter defense-needy team could swoop in at the last minute, but it's not looking too likely at this point.  

Cost a Sticking Point for Jordan Hill's Laker Return?

Per the Los Angeles Times:

"

The Lakers continue to negotiate with Jordan Hill, an unrestricted free-agent forward-center who has drawn interest from a handful of teams. The Lakers want him back but won't go too deep financially to make it happen.

"

With newly acquired forward Antawn Jamison in the fold, retaining Hill is no longer a necessity for their bench depth.

However, Hill provides a strong interior defensive presence that the Lakers currently lack, and Jamison is a below-par defender at this point in his career.

That means that Hill both serves as a need and a luxury, making the Lakers cost position a reasonable one. If they can bring Hill back somewhere in the $3 million per season range, there's no reason to let him go.

But if teams get desperate and start grasping for mid-level straws, the Lakers will undoubtedly wash their hands of the 24-year-old forward.  

Celtics Agree on Framework with Houston Rockets on Courtney Lee Sign-and-Trade?

According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports, the Celtics and Rockets are currently finalizing the framework of a trade for Lee:

"

Celtics to acquire G Courtney Lee from Rockets in a sign and trade sending back F JaJuan Johnson, sources tell Y! Details being finalized.

— Marc J. Spears (@SpearsNBAYahoo) July 19, 2012"

Lee has been the Celtics' No. 1 target in free agency since Ray Allen bolted for the Miami Heat.  

The 26-year-old guard gives Boston one of the most talented defensive backcourts in the entire league. Incumbent guards Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley are considered among the game's best. Lee is also a knockdown three-point shooter to go along with his defensive prowess.  

The Celtics acquired Johnson, the No. 27 overall pick in 2011, on draft night, but the former Purdue star averaged just 8.3 minutes per game this past season as he struggled to get into coach Doc Rivers' rotation. 

For Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, he likely considers Johnson yet another asset he'll be able to ship out for a star.  

Milicic Drawing Interest from Playoff Teams?

The Los Angeles Clippers are hot on the trail of recently amnestied forward-center Darko Milicic.

Unfortunately for the Clips, it seems a lot of other teams are as well.

Per the Los Angeles Times: 

"

The Clippers are not the only team pursuing free-agent center Darko Milicic.

Apparently the Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Brooklyn Nets all have interest too.

Milicic’s agent, Marc Cornstein, said Wednesday that the Clippers “are a team we have spoken to.”

"

With Milicic likely coming at the NBA's veteran's minimum, it's no wonder that teams look at the 27-year-old Serbian as a great fit. Despite his status as the lone bust of the 2003 NBA draft's top five, Milicic is still a seven-footer with above-average post presence and top-notch shot-blocking ability.  

Those are two qualities that rarely come at the veteran's minimum premium.