NBA's Biggest Offseason Whispers

Nearly every big move of the 2012 NBA offseason has taken place, meaning we're hitting the dreaded period of dormancy in basketball land.

As the month of August ends and September hits, the NBA falls to the background while the NFL and college football overrun the sports landscape.

But before that actually comes to fruition, there are still a ton of unresolved murmurs going around the league. Whether it's about a possible relocation, a trade in the works or just more people talking about Dwight Howard, 2012 certainly hasn't been your typical offseason.

With that in mind, here's a look at the latest whispers going on across the league. 

Kings: Goodbye Sacramento, Hello...Virginia Beach?

It's no secret that the relationship between the Maloof brothers and the city of Sacramento has likely deteriorated to the point of no return.

With the Kings' stadium situation in the city up in the air, expect the 2012-13 NBA season to come with a cavalcade of rumors about the franchise's next home.

While many across the nation would put Seattle and the return of the SuperSonics atop the wish list, the Kings move away from Sacramento could instead bring back another former franchise: the ABA's Virginia Squires. 

According to a report by Philip Newswanger and Bill Cresenzo of the Hampton Roads Business Journal, Virginia Beach has become the Kings' most likely destination, with media powerhouse Comcast as the catalyst behind the deal.

Via Hampton Roads Business Journal:

"

Media giant Comcast will guarantee a 25-year lease on a new arena, supposedly for naming rights and for broadcasting the games, sources said. Comcast owns NBC and Global Spectrum, which operates arenas and stadiums across the country, including the Ted Constant Convocation Center at Old Dominion University.

"

Timberwolves Looking for a Center to Pair with Kevin Love?

Minnesota general manager David Kahn has been hard at work this summer trying to appease his franchise player's reported dissatisfaction (via Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears).

Kahn has brought two members of the Russian national team, Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved, into the fold this offseason and has seemingly found a new position of interest: center.

Via Fox Sports' Sam Amico: 

"

Minnesota is one team said to be on the lookout for a real center to position next to All-Star power forward Kevin Love. While it's too soon to have reached out to the Sixers, they have placed calls to teams to see who might be out there, several sources told FOX Sports Ohio. But it seems all discussions have been exploratory and have even subsided in recent weeks.

"

Based on Amico's report, it seems center Spencer Hawes would be the main target for the T'Wolves in any trade with the Philadelphia 76ers. Hawes, who averaged 9.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in 37 games last season, became expendable for the Sixers after the team acquired Andrew Bynum as part of the Dwight Howard trade.

Though Hawes is likely not a big enough name to swing the Love pendulum, he may be enough of an upgrade to put Minnesota in the sixth- to eighth-seed conversation. 

Kahn just actually has to make a serious play first. 

Dirk to Play Two More Seasons, Then Retire?

In a conversation with fans on Twitter, Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki seemingly broke his own news in regards to his long-term NBA future.

"

“@dribblepasshoot: @swish41 Your game looks like it will age really well, how many more yrs you playing?” 2 for sure and then see how I feel

"

"— Dirk Nowitzki (@swish41) August 26, 2012"

But before Mavericks fans get too far in a tizzy about their future Hall of Famer's playing career, it's pretty apparent why Nowitzki put the two-year window on his playing career: The forward's current contract only runs through the 2013-14 season.

So while Dirk will be 36 years old by the summer of 2014 and showed his first signs of age this past season, his retirement talk will prove just as hollow as all the Kevin Garnett speculation before this offseason. 

His career is far closer to over than beginning, but Dallas fans should expect at least four more years of their German star before he hangs it up. 

Kevin Durant, Chris Bosh Talk Lakers' Offseason Moves

This may surprise you, but people are talking a ton about the Los Angeles Lakers' trade for Dwight Howard.

You might even say it's become a media obsession.

And when the mainstream media becomes obsessed with something, you're bound to get takes from nearly everyone across the NBA spectrum.

But among the most interesting opinions have come so far from unexpected sources: Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant and Miami Heat power forward Chris Bosh.

Durant via Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports: 

"

People outside, fans, media, of course they are going to say [the Lakers are the favorites] because on paper they have the best lineup in the league. But you still got to play the games. We respect everybody. We are going to go through the league respecting everybody as well.

We already view ourselves as an elite team, but we have to prove it again. Last year is over with.

"

Bosh via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: 

"

The Lakers, I think, right now, I mean on paper, they probably have the best team in the West and probably the league right now. On paper. I'm saying on paper. But it's a lot, a lot, it's a long season. And the best team always isn't the one who starts out the season as the best team.

"

Whether these two stars actually meant what they said or have been taking lessons in the Phil Jackson school of media manipulation, is up for debate. Regardless, it's interesting to see top players from both NBA finals teams go out of their way to call another roster the best in the league, even if it's only "on paper."

Dwight Howard to Suit Up for Season Opener?

The Lakers can't have the best on-paper team in the league as Bosh and Durant speculated without Howard actually stepping foot on the floor.

The seven-footer, who had surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back in April, has been slower than expected in his recovery time, leading some to believe that Howard could sit out into the regular season.

Well, according to Dr. Robert C. Klapper, an orthopedic surgeon at Beverly Hills-based Cedars-Sinai hospital, that shouldn't be the case.

Appearing on ESPN Los Angeles' Mason and Ireland radio show, Klapper was asked when he thinks Howard will return to the lineup. While not guaranteeing a D12 appearance, the surgeon seemingly put all worries about the three-time Defensive Player of the Year missing the opener to rest.

Via ESPN Los Angeles:

"

He's going to be back for our first game wearing his uniform, and he is going to be playing for the Los Angeles Lakers with a great feeling back. You know everything takes a year to fully recover, but I think he will be back for the first game.

"

That sound you hear is Lakers fans across the world exhaling.