NBA Free-Agency Rumors: Latest Talk Before Signing Bonanza Begins
Teams and players can't officially discuss free-agent deals until July 1. Subsequently, players can't sign until July 10, but that hasn't stopped the rumors from swirling.
With the NBA draft in the books, all of the offseason talk is primarily centered around potential landing spots for several free agents.
With less than 24 hours before negotiations can begin, here is the latest news on the NBA free-agency rumor front.
Mo Williams Will Reportedly Return to Utah as a Starter Only
Free agent Mo Williams is open to a return to the Utah Jazz next season, but he wants to be assured of a starting spot, per Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports. According to the report, a source told Spears of Williams and his possible return to the Jazz: "He's not going to come back as a backup."
Considering the Jazz just traded the 14th and 21st pick in the first round of the draft to obtain the rights to Trey Burke, it would seem Williams won't get the guarantee he demands.
Burke was the national player of the year while guiding the Michigan Wolverines to the national championship game this past season. He's viewed as the best point guard prospect in this year's draft.
Although the Jazz may take things slow with Burke to begin—as Spears tweeted after Utah acquired the 20-year-old—it is hard to believe Burke won't assume the starting role at some point during his first season.
Assuming Williams' thinking is accurately represented in the report, it seems he could be leaving Utah.
Chicago Bulls Will Likely Only Sign Players at Veteran Minimum
While most know the Bulls don't have the cap space to make bold free-agent signings as their roster currently sits, there are no plans to make any moves that would enable them to spend a significant amount.
K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune says the team is likely to fill its remaining roster spots with veteran minimum contracts, one of which could be center Nazr Mohammed, who played for the Bulls last season.
Johnson quotes Mohammed as saying: "They want me back. I want to be back. Now it's the technicality of getting (the contract) done."
The Bulls currently have the following eight players under contract:
Projected Starters
PG: Derrick Rose
SG: Jimmy Butler
SF: Luol Deng
PF: Carlos Boozer
C: Joakim Noah
Reserves
PG/SG: Kirk Hinrich
PF: Taj Gibson
PG: Marquis Teague
Chicago drafted swingman Tony Snell from New Mexico with the 20th pick in the NBA draft and took stretch 4 Erik Murphy from Florida with the 49th pick.
Assuming they sign and keep both rookies and Mohammed, the team would have only one other spot remaining on the active roster—unless Murphy doesn't make the team or is kept off the active roster.
Is Dallas Considering Top Point Guards Available?
While the Dallas Mavericks have to be considered one of the contenders to land Dwight Howard in free agency, they may not be sitting on their hands in the pursuit of other top free agents.
Per Mike Fisher of Dallas Basketball of the Scout.com network, the Mavs have "taken a position" on free agent Chris Paul and "investigated bids" on free agents Tyreke Evans and Brandon Jennings.
Nabbing Howard would supersede all, but in the event D-12 doesn't pick Big D as his next NBA team, Dallas needs to be prepared to add a major talent to pair with Dirk Nowitzki in the twilight years of his career.
These rumored overtures could equate to nothing more than feelers, but they aren't bad backup plans.
Kyle Korver is a Hot Commodity
Per Marc Stein of ESPN, the Brooklyn Nets are interested in signing free-agent sharpshooter Kyle Korver, but they aren't alone:
Korver was second in the NBA in three-point percentage last season. He shot just under 46 percent from beyond the arc. That marked the seventh time in his 10-year career that he's shot 40 percent or better from three.
The Nets could use his marksmanship off their bench, but teams can never have too many shooters in today's NBA. Because Korver is one of the best in the league, the competition for his services will be stiff.
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