NBA Rumors: 5 Whispers That May Have Some Validity

In a normal NBA offseason, the dry months of August would be just as barren on the Association's rumor mill.

But, with the league still reeling in the aftermath of Dwight Howard's trade to the Los Angeles Lakers, that's simply not the case.

With the balance of power totally shifted, there are still teams and players shifting their allegiances and looking to make some moves.

However, as always with our 24-hour news cycle, there are only a few of these rumors that will actually come to fruition.

What are some of these valid rumors? Here's a look at some of the most credible rumors out there on the market.

Jimmer Fredette to the Thunder?

For Thunder general manager Sam Presti, the 2012 offseason has been one of securing the core.

Presti re-signed head coach Scott Brooks almost immediately after the playoffs and the organization essentially answered the "Serge Ibaka or James Harden" dilemma by announcing a four-year, $48 million extension with the 22-year-old power forward Ibaka (via Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski).

To counterbalance the focus on retention, Presti has also been hard at work taking small risks with potentially huge rewards.

The first risk was nabbing potential star Perry Jones at the No. 28 pick in the NBA draft in June.

Presti followed that up by signing centers Hasheem Thabeet and Daniel Orton to short-term deals. While both young centers have been abject failures so far in the NBA, both (especially Thabeet) have potential to develop into elite bench big men if coached properly.

And according to Fox Sports' Sam Amico, the team might have found its last piece to the high reward puzzle: Sacramento Kings guard Jimmer Fredette.

Via Amico:

"

Speaking of Kings, Jimmer Fredette would love to go someplace where someone other than just DeMarcus Cousins will pass him the ball. Thunder would love to pry Fredette away from Kings as replacement for Derek Fisher. Kevin Durant is a Jimmer fan.

"

Fredette going to Oklahoma City seemingly makes perfect sense on both sides.

For Jimmer, it's a chance to get out of a loaded Sacramento backcourt and to an organization that still believes in his NBA potential.

For the Thunder, it's another low-risk acquisition whose potential benefits far outweigh the cost—likely a late first-round pick.

And, if Fredette blossoms in his second season in the league, Oklahoma City won't have to look too far for its Harden replacement.

Cavs to Buy out Omri Casspi?

Though there are conflicting reports (the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports no validity to the initial claim by Fox 8's John Telich) about whether the Cleveland Cavaliers want to buy out small forward Omri Casspi, it seems like a logical endpoint for the 24-year-old.

An instant contributor during his first season with the Sacramento Kings, Casspi has taken a step back in each of his past two professional seasons. Playing just over 20 minutes per game with the Cavs last season, Casspi shot just 40.3 percent while scoring 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

But with C.J. Miles signed ostensibly to take over Casspi's role, there will be little to no minutes available for the 6'9 forward who started 35 games last season.

If his journey in Cleveland is indeed over, it's easy to wonder whether we have even seen the last of Casspi in the NBA, period.

Corey Maggette Considering Retirement After the 2012-13 NBA Season?

As forward Corey Maggette prepares to suit up for his fifth team in the past six NBA seasons, it's not much of a surprise that the 13-year veteran is considering retirement after next season (via Hoopsworld's Joel Brigham).

Maggette, who scored 15 points per game last season in his first and only season with the Charlotte Bobcats, has struggled with injury for much of his career.

The 32-year-old forward has missed at least 12 games in each of the past five seasons and appeared in just 32 games last year in Charlotte. As he prepares for his debut season in Detroit, it's become clear that the recovery process isn't easy anymore.

“I’m just trying to stay healthy and keep my body in shape," Maggette said to Brigham. "That’s the biggest thing as you get older. I had surgery on my knee this offseason, so I’m making sure that’s all right. I’m taking it slow, but it’s pretty much healed. You just have to be a little bit more cautious as you get older."

Maggette is entering the final year of the five-year, $50 million he signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2008 and will likely struggle to find another contract worth taking the toll on his body.

LeBron James: Four-Time Olympian?

We're just one week removed from LeBron James winning his second Olympic gold medal (and third medal overall) at the 2012 Summer Games in London.

But the question coming out of London revolved around whether James (and to a lesser extent Carmelo Anthony) would become the United States' first four-time Olympic basketball player.

The answer, for now, is yes.

Via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

"

We haven't had that conversation. But if I'm healthy, I did the math and I'll be 31, and if I have the opportunity to be out there, I will do it. I love it. I love being a part of it and representing my country. I don't know what may happen in four years, but it would be great to be back out there again. Definitely.

"

That could come as bad news to those hardcore NBA fans (like yours truly) who think a 31-year-old James would be better off resting his body.

But if James does actually go to Rio, he'll have the opportunity to become the most-decorated Olympian in Team USA basketball history.

And that may just be too much to pass on.

Greg Oden to Make NBA Return in 2012-13?

Don't look now, but injury-prone free agent center Greg Oden may be backing off his plan to sit out the 2012-13 NBA season.

In an interview last week with Tribune Star reporter David Hughes, Oden said that while he won't rush back again from injury, he would "love" to return to the NBA next season.

"

I would love to play [in 2012-13], but I’m not going to rush anything. I need to take a year off. What I told Mike was ‘Look, I want to get back with a team. I want to play. If there’s a chance that later on in the [NBA] year, if I feel good or if I’m healthy enough to play, I would love to play this year.’ That’s the conversation we had. I think some people kinda blew that up and took his words and kinda changed them around. I know I need to get healthy first before I do anything.

"

Though we last saw Oden on an NBA floor on Dec. 15, 2009, he would have no shortage of suitors if he wished to return.

In 82 total NBA games, Oden averaged 9.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game and showed flashes of the brilliance that made him the No. 1 pick in the 2007 NBA draft.

A player that talented and competitive just can't stay away from the court, so it's no surprise that Oden would want to get back as soon as possible—even if his body may not be ready.