NBA Rumors: Latest Free Agency Buzz on Chauncey Billups, Andrew Bynum and More

The overwhelming flood of free-agency buzz will not ease up anytime soon, especially not with so many marquee players still available.

While the two biggest names—Chris Paul and Dwight Howard—are off the market, there are plenty of impact veterans, stars coming off injuries and young talent to be signed this summer.

Let’s take a look at some of the latest buzz concerning these unsigned studs in Wednesday’s rumor roundup.

Chauncey Billups Unlikely to Take Minimum

The New York Knicks had a short-but-sweet run with Chauncey Billups at the helm of the offense, as the veteran guard came to the Big Apple back in 2011 and averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 21 games.

His tenure in Manhattan wasn’t long, but Billups left an impression on head coach Mike Woodson—then an assistant under Mike D’Antoni.

According to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News, Woodson is currently trying to convince the 15-year veteran to return to the Knicks and help push the team past the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference.

The offer is certainly one that Billups has to entertain, but the 36-year-old would be wise to pass on a return to N.Y., as he is still a valuable shooter and locker room presence in this league.

Unless he’s almost guaranteed to win a title by signing in South Beach, he should ask for—and get—more than the minimum.

Andrew Bynum Pushed By Cavs, Not Agreeing Yet

The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly pressuring Andrew Bynum to accept their two-year, $24 million incentive-laden contract.

Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the team could lose patience waiting for the big man and isn’t willing to wait around for his answer.

It seems the Cavs may have to, as the former All-Star has yet to agree to the terms and hasn’t even bothered cancelling his meetings with other clubs.

Wojnarowski notes that Bynum recently travelled to Atlanta to talk with the Hawks, and ESPN’s Marc Stein found that he would meet with Dallas Mavericks in the near future.

Don’t expect the young center to rush into anything, as he is still arguably in the prime of his career and could be one of the top frontcourt players in the league if he is fully healthy.

The Cavs are making the right call to pressure him into signing, as there’s a chance he receives a better offer from another club if he is on the open market much longer.

Bucks, Others Interested in Gary Neal

Gary Neal was instrumental to San Antonio’s successful finals run in 2013, but it seems that the three-year NBA veteran—who went undrafted in 2007—may be moving on this offseason.

Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times notes that the Milwaukee Bucks are just one of four teams vying for the 28-year-old’s services.

Neal holds career averages of 9.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists and has stepped up in a big way as part of the Spurs backcourt rotation.

He is a highly capable three-point shooter and an efficient shot-maker who takes high-percentage looks within the San Antonio offense.

It’ll be interesting to see if he can retain that same level of success and production on another squad. After all, the Spurs are known for homegrown players who fit well in their system but struggle elsewhere.