NBA Rumors: Ranking the Rumors by Odds of Happening

Though the opening of the 2012-13 preseason has sparked a much-welcomed revival of the NBA rumor mill, that rejuvenation comes with a vexing task: separating the real from the fake.

While obviously no reporter would report false information, the constant stream of uncertainty floating around front offices often leads to rampant speculation that never comes to fruition. 

Luckily, we're here to help cut through all of those reports and figure out which nuggets of information hold weight. 

With that in mind, here are the latest rumblings flying around the Association, ranked by their likelihood of happening. 

5. Los Angeles Lakers to Target LeBron James in 2014?

With just two seasons remaining before LeBron James could theoretically become a free agent again in 2014, it seemed inevitable that the inane speculation period about his destination would start sometime soon.

Well, leave it to ESPN's Brian Windhorst to not only start the rumor cycle, but to start it out with a bang. According to Windhorst, the Los Angeles Lakers could be gearing themselves up to make a run at the superstar small forward two years from now.

Via ESPN:

"

Several teams' executives have told ESPN.com they believe the Lakers are positioning themselves to make a run at LeBron James in 2014, when the Miami Heat star can choose to become a free agent.

"

Admittedly, anything is possible, but I'm not buying LeBron-to-L.A. for a second. If nabbing James is the Lakers' ultimate plan, they may need start scraping together a Plan B fast.

I'll save you a column-length missive, but here are the two biggest reasons this speculation seems misguided.

1) Kobe Bryant 

The Lakers guard has been heard speculating about retiring two years from now when his contract ends. Something tells me he will feel differently in 2014.

Depending on how the next two years go, Bryant could be inching closer and closer to that all-time scoring record. While it seems like a pipe dream at this point, getting six (or seven) championships and his place in the scoring record book is all that motivates Mamba at this point. 

Much like Kevin Garnett in Boston, expect Bryant back in Los Angeles beyond the 2013-14 season—and he won't come cheap. 

2) Dwyane Wade

James came to Miami to play with one of his best friends. One of his best friends will not be in purple and gold in 2014, and James has absolutely no ties to the Lakers franchise. 

So...end of story. 

4. Timberwolves to Add Another Piece?

Left in an untenable situation with both of their best players hurt, the Minnesota Timberwolves will come into the 2012-13 season short-handed.

That's likely the overarching reason why, according to 1500ESPN.com, Minnesota owner Glen Taylor is still willing to bring in a free agent. 

Via 1500ESPN.com:

"Taylor is willing to add payroll if Kahn and coach Rick Adelman sell him on a free agent."

Until we get a concrete set of names, we'll hold off on any big takeaways here. While it's likely true that Taylor is willing to fork over some more cash for a player, there are very few left on the market.

On paper, Kenyon Martin makes sense as a Kevin Love stop-gap replacement. But based on what we've seen and heard from Martin this offseason, the Timberwolves seem like an unlikely fit.

With so little talent hanging around among big men, we'll have to wait and see if there is any fire to this smoke. For now, it seems like a good bet that Minnesota will look to wade the murky early-season waters with the players already in place. 

3. Bulls Looking to Add Player in November?

With Derrick Rose's knee injury lingering, it's hard to find much optimism for the Chicago Bulls' outlook this season.

Nonetheless, the team continues trying to find creative ways to stave off the lottery in Rose's stead and will continue that by adding another player in free agency, according to the Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson. 

"

Thibodeau said management is looking "every day" at who is available to sign as the 14th player in late November when the prorated portion of the veteran's minimum fits under their hard salary cap.

"

Like the rumor with the Timberwolves, we'll need to see some concrete names here before getting into a tizzy. The market is so barren at this point that it's hard to imagine Chicago finding any player that can instantly contribute or even get regular rotation minutes.

On the other hand, bringing back Brian Scalabrine is the kind of change I think we could all get behind.

2. Derek Fisher Back to the Lakers?

Though there are still plenty of hoops for the Los Angeles Lakers to jump through, they are interested in bringing back point guard Derek Fisher, according to ESPN's Marc Stein. 

"

He might ultimately decide to jump on the next palatable offer that presents itself, but I’m told that both Fisher and the Lakers have a level of interest in reuniting down the road if the circumstances are right, suggesting that the tension stemming from L.A.’s decision to discard the 38-year-old last spring is fading. 

"

While the team will certainly have to trade either Chris Duhon or Steve Blake to make this reunion happen, I'm buying this one.

Both Duhon and Blake could have some value to a guard-needy team and the Lakers would gladly part with either player and ask for something minimal in return.

That would open the door for Fisher, who finished the 2011-12 season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

He's not much in terms of effectiveness right now, but the inner sap in me thinks that Fisher ending his career in Los Angeles just feels right.

1. Jrue Holiday and Sixers Working Hard on Extension?

For players in the draft class of 2009, the Oct. 30 deadline to sign a contract extension is looming large. 

Though some will wait out the 2012-13 season and attempt to nab a five-year deal from their current club or wade into the restricted free agency waters, it seems like Philadelphia 76ers point guard Jrue Holiday is happy just where he is.

According to CSN Philadelphia's John Finger, the extension talks between the Sixers and Holiday are heating up. 

"With the deadline to sign players to an extension quickly approaching, a source says the talks between the Sixers and representatives for point guard Jrue Holiday have picked up slightly.
"

Getting a deal done quickly benefits both sides of this deal, which is why I'm making this a big buy. The Sixers have Andrew Bynum's upcoming contract fiasco to deal with, and keeping Holiday will go a long way toward selling the center on Philadelphia while allowing management to focus solely on its star. 

Holiday, meanwhile, will get a boatload of money without actually proving all that much at the NBA level. Remember, this is a player who had a rather disconcerting 14.74 PER last season. 

Expect this deal to get done, with Holiday landing a four-year deal worth somewhere between $10 million-$12 million per season.