NBA Rumors: Latest Free Agent and Trade Chatter from Around the League

What's the latest to come out of the never-ending rumor mill that is the NBA offseason? 

Free agents are still on the market, and top teams are still angling to make moves that will put them in contention for a title. If they're already in contention, they're looking to strengthen their championship bids. 

These are the latest rumors. 

C.J. Miles to Lakers?

C.J. Miles is one of the better swingmen left in the free-agency pool, and he's reportedly leaning towards signing with the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to Brian T. Smith of the The Salt Lake Tribune, it would come as no surprise if Miles ended up helping the Lakers' second unit next season: 

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Unrestricted free agent small forward C.J. Miles has narrowed his options down to a few teams, a league source told The Salt Lake Tribune on Tuesday, and the longtime Jazzman is drawing serious interest from the Los Angeles Lakers.

The 6-foot-6, 222-pound Miles could make a decision during the next 2-3 days. If he signs with the Lakers, the source said, it'll likely be a one- or two-year deal via Los Angeles' mini mid-level exception.

Miles, 25, has already met with Dallas and Cleveland since free agency started July 1.

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Miles would be a solid player for the Lakers to bring off the bench, but he isn't the greatest fit for the Lakers. L.A. needs an outside shooting threat to complement Steve Nash and the rest of the L.A. point guards, not a shaky defender with a shaky outside shot. 

Jodie Meeks Closer to Finding a Team

Jodie Meeks is another young-ish veteran who's one step closer to finding a home for the 2012-2013 season. 

Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld reports that Meeks has narrowed down his options and is honing in on a few teams. Said Meeks:

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I’ve gotten interest from the Lakers, Bucks and Wizards. There are five or six teams, but those three are at the forefront right now because I’ve been talking to them the most. I really like those teams and I like what they bring to the table. I’m looking forward to signing, whenever that may be.

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Meeks would be a much better free-agent signing for the Los Angeles Lakers, and a purple-and-gold jersey also happens to fit him best out of the three teams explicitly mentioned. 

You can check out my full thoughts on the matter here, but the Milwaukee Bucks are the worst of the three options for the sharpshooting 2-guard. 

Nate Robinson Going to the Bulls

One free-agent guard has already found his new home. Nate Robinson is bringing his diminutive frame and his talents to The Windy City for the 2012-2013 season, where he'll back up Kirk Hinrich and help bring Marquis Teague up to speed. 

Robinson last played with the Golden State Warriors and had a remarkably successful season off the bench for the Dubs. The 5'9" floor general averaged 11.2 points, 4.5 assists and 2.0 rebounds per game with a PER of 18.05. 

Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune reports that Robinson has officially signed on with the Chicago Bulls on a contract with undisclosed length and money.

Robinson will be a valuable player in the Bulls' second unit and should help the team reinvigorate the bench mob. 

Magic Johnson Thinks the Lakers Can Win it All

I'm sure there's not any bias here at all, but Magic Johnson thinks that the Los Angeles Lakers are just a shooter away from having a shot at a title. 

Here's the quote, as relayed by ESPN's Ramona Shelbourne:

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I think we still need two to three pieces but if they can add a shooter, as I've told [general manager] Mitch [Kupchak], we've got a shot. 

One thing Oklahoma City still relies on talent. With Steve Nash, what happened to us in the fourth quarter [in two games during the Lakers second-round playoff series] would not happen to us. Especially that second game and we had a seven-point lead in the last two minutes and we turned it over three times. We didn't get good shots. All we had to do was score one time and the game was over. I think Steve helps with all of that.

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It's hard to disagree with Magic here. 

The Lakers made a number of great moves during the offseason and aren't too far off the top of the NBA totem pole.