NBA Free Agents 2014: Latest on Carmelo Anthony, Lance Stephenson and More

For basketball fans, the NBA offseason is either an exciting few months or the most interminable part of the year.

With the free-agency period open, teams can officially sign and court the biggest names on the market. While the biggest names are likely weeks away from finding new homes, some of the less-heralded players are beginning to find new homes.

The three stars below remain without teams, but their futures are becoming a little more clear.

Carmelo Anthony

The Houston Rockets are pulling out the full Dwight Howard treatment in order to try and lure in Carmelo Anthony.

The team had Melo in town on Wednesday and ensured that he felt welcomed, per KHOU 11 Sports:

According to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets and Anthony had a lengthy meeting that appeared to have done its job:

Howard, who's obviously been in this position before, reiterated how much he'd love to have Anthony on the Rockets but made it clear that he wouldn't have any ill will toward the former New York Knick if he chose otherwise, per Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston:

The Rockets have to be considered one of the favorites to land Melo. They're a playoff contender in the Western Conference, and Anthony wouldn't have to worry about the quality of his supporting cast.

It's still very early in the free-agent season, but Houston has to be encouraged with how everything has transpired so far.

Lance Stephenson

Although Anthony and LeBron James are the marquee free agents available, Lance Stephenson might be the most intriguing. How much money is a team willing to give a player equal parts talent and headache?

The Indiana Pacers just locked up C.J. Miles to a four-year, $18 million deal, according to ESPN:

Candace Buckner of The Indianapolis Star reported that that could be big in terms of Indiana's pursuit of Stephenson:

If you're just judging him by his talent, Stephenson should be one of the most sought-after free agents. Like a Metta World Peace, though, when you take him on, you also take on all of his on-court eccentricities, good and bad.

Before the Miles signing, Stephenson almost certainly would've gotten the best deal from the Pacers. After that move, Indiana now has a ton of leverage and won't hesitate in moving on if the price becomes too steep.

Gordon Hayward

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

When you think of max players, Gordon Hayward doesn't immediately come to mind.

However, the Cleveland Cavaliers are apparently of the belief that the 24-year-old would be worth a massive financial commitment, per ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst:

Since Hayward's a restricted free agent, the Cavs have little choice but to pay over the odds. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein, the Jazz are willing to match any offer sheet:

That's what they're saying now, but they'd likely find it hard to commit that much money to one player when they've already got Trey Burke and Dante Exum to worry about down the line.

By actively pursuing Hayward, the Cavs are sending the message that they aren't waiting on LeBron anymore. Their focus is firmly on team-building, rather than hoping and praying that James returns to Cleveland.

Hayward is also the shooter the Cavs need following the departure of Miles. And more importantly, he fits in with their focus on stockpiling younger talent.