NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on the Best Free Agents Available
The NBA offseason is in full force and most, if not all, of the big-name free agents have been signed.
Steve Nash, Deron Williams and Jeremy Lin?
All unavailable. Still, a number of promising players are available for hire before the start of next season.
Here, we break down the latest buzz on the top available NBA stars this summer.
Andray Blatche Poised to Land With a Contender?
The former Washington Wizards big man has been drawing interest from NBA championship contenders like the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs, according to ESPN's Marc Stein via Twitter:
"Free-agent rumble that just dribbled across the pond: Heat & Spurs among teams to express exploratory interest in free agent Andray Blatche
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 4, 2012"
Blatche is viewed as a player whose play on the court is hardly worth the risk he presents inside the locker room, though. Blatche averaged 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season with Washington but was constantly making news for his inability to be a team player.
Although the Heat's championship pedigree would likely infuse Blatche with some purpose and ignite his motor, I think he is a much better fit in San Antonio where the core of Tony Parker, Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili would demand his best—night in and night out.
Josh Childress Headed to DC?
The Washington Wizards would like to add former Phoenix Suns swingman Josh Childress to their roster this offseason, according to The Washington Post's Michael Lee via Twitter:
"Probably a long shot, but #wizards are among a handful of teams that have expressed interest in Josh Childress, according to a source
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) August 7, 2012"
Childress, who played overseas in between stints in the league with the Atlanta Hawks and Phoenix Suns, averaged just 2.9 points and 2.8 rebounds per game last season in the desert and was amnestied by the Suns this summer.
Sure, the Wizards could use a few more pieces to contend in the Eastern Conference, but Childress is not one of those pieces. He has never been much of an offensive presence and has started only three games in the NBA since 2007.
If Washington is looking for a game-changing free agent, they will have to go elsewhere.
Leandro Barbosa Set to Become a Laker?
The subject of free agent Leandro Barbosa possibly joining the Los Angeles Lakers this summer came up last week during the 2012 London Olympics when ESPN's Marc Stein tweeted this:
"Game of the day now: Brazil v Russia. Hearing out of Brazil camp that they believe Lakers have interest in free-agent Leandro Barbosa
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) August 2, 2012"
Barbosa scored 8.9 points per game and shot better than 42 percent from beyond the arc in 22 games off the bench for the Indiana Pacers last season after being traded from the Toronto Raptors in midseason.
At first glance, it may look like the Lakers are attempting to load up with too many offensive weapons rather than shoring up their defense in order to contend with the likes of Oklahoma City in the Western Conference next season.
But in reality, Barbosa joining Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant in the LA backcourt makes perfect sense for both sides.
The Brazilian Blur would be on a contending team and would be most effective playing alongside a good friend in Nash, someone who knows when and where to get him the ball. Barbosa would give LA a mighty scoring boost off the bench and would help take some pressure off the aging Black Mamba.
This certainly isn't a guarantee but a promising potential deal for both sides, nonetheless.
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