NBA Rumors: Latest Updates on the League's Hottest Rumblings
With the kickoff of the NFL season happening Wednesday night and college football already underway, the NBA rumor mill is about to hit the back pages after spending all summer out front.
Nevertheless, with less than one month before NBA training camps open, there are still a ton of rumors floating around the Association.
Some teams are looking to add much-needed bench depth, while others are still in need of some veteran leadership.
With that in mind, here's a look at the latest rumblings of the 2012 NBA offseason.
Tracy McGrady and the Bobcats a match?
Still looking for a veteran presence to help shore up the bench and provide mentoring for the team's young core, the Bobcats reportedly have interest in working out free agent Tracy McGrady.
Via the Charlotte Observer's Rick Bonnell:
"I hear Tracy McGrady might work out with the #Bobcats some, similar to how Josh Howard did. All informal and exploratory.
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) September 4, 2012"
If Charlotte is looking for a player to help top pick Michael-Kidd Gilchrist harness his otherworldly athleticism, McGrady could be the perfect fit.
Knee injuries have derailed the 33-year-old's career, and he has more to offer in name value than on-court value at this point. Suiting up last season with the Atlanta Hawks, McGrady put up career lows across the board, scoring just 5.3 points and grabbing 2.9 rebounds in 16.1 minutes per game.
Regardless, McGrady was once the NBA's best pure scorer. If there's anyone who can help bring Kidd-Gilchrist's offensive game to a pro-level, it's McGrady. This seems like a perfect fit on all levels.
5 Teams in the mix for forward Anthony Tolliver
At this juncture of free-agency, getting a smart big man who can contribute on both ends of the floor would serve as a massive coup.
And according to Fox Sports' Chris Tomasson, there are five teams that know this and are working hard to bring in Tolliver.
"The 5 teams in the mix for free-agent forward Anthony Tolliver are Minnesota, Indiana, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) September 4, 2012"
The 27-year-old veteran spent the past two seasons in Minnesota, so it seems likely he'll come back if the offer is right. Nevertheless, whichever team signs the former Creighton star will expect a massive improvement from his 2011-12 campaign.
Playing in 51 games for the Timberwolves, Tolliver shot just 39 percent from the floor, including an uncharacteristically low 25.8 percent from beyond the arc.
For a team looking for a scrapper on the defensive end and a motivated player offensively, Tolliver could be a steal.
Josh Harrellson to get second Heat workout
According to the big man's Twitter feed and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Ira Winderman, it's beginning to look like Harrellson will be a member of the Heat sooner than later.
After word came from Harrellson that he was headed to Miami for a second workout, Winderman came through with the details.
Via the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
"According to a source familiar with the Heat's approach, the team will be holding what essentially is a pre-camp camp in advance of the formal Sept. 29 start to training camp at AmericanAirlines Arena, with Harrellson in that mix of camp hopefuls.
According to the source, Harrellson is being brought in for a one-week tryout, with no contract guarantee in place.
"
With seemingly no other notable names headed to Miami for this "pre-camp," it seems likely that Harrellson will win the job.
A former Kentucky Wildcat, Harrellson averaged 4.4 points and 3.9 rebounds in 14.6 minutes last season with the New York Knicks. While the 6'10" big man does not provide much on the defensive end, his versatility is likely what impressed Heat brass.
He has the ability to play both center and power forward, and has an outside stroke that's conducive to Miami's drive-and-kick offense. There may be better individual players on the market, but it seems the Heat feel Harrellson is the best fit.
