NBA Rumors: Rounding Up the Latest on Potential Trades Around the League

It didn't seem possible for the NBA offseason to be as exciting as the playoffs. And yet here we are, over a week after teams could start negotiating with free agents, and there was somewhat of a hostage situation in Houston.

Here's the CliffsNotes version for those of you who had your heads buried in the sand Wednesday: DeAndre Jordan originally agreed to a deal with the Dallas Mavericks last week but couldn't sign it officially until July 9. Then representatives from the Los Angeles Clippers, including owner Steve Ballmer, coach Doc Rivers and players Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, came to Jordan's house in Houston to convince him to reconsider.

At literally the 11th hour, Jordan decided to come back to the Clippers while avoiding phone calls from Mavs owner Mark Cuban and Chandler Parsons. To keep the Mavericks reps from being able to meet with Jordan again, the Clippers contingent stayed by Jordan's side until he was able to sign a contract. Griffin, for one, was having fun with the lock-in.

You can't make this stuff up. 

Jordan did indeed sign with the Clippers, much to the dismay of Mavericks officials and fans. But just because all of the biggest fish have found their new ponds, it doesn't mean all the fun is over. There are still free agents to be signed and trades to be made.

Speaking of trades, let's have a look at the latest buzz from around the league as to which teams are looking to make moves and which players could be on the go.

Cavaliers Still Looking for Scoring Help

The Cleveland Cavaliers came closer than many thought they could to winning the NBA title this year. Had Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love not been hurt, it could have been a totally different series.

But even with the two stars sidelined, LeBron James almost willed his team to the championship on his own. If he had just a little bit more help with scoring, the Cavs could have given the Golden State Warriors more trouble.

So it comes as no surprise that the Cavs are looking to add players who can fill it up. Marc Stein of ESPN reported that the Cavs are interested in Jamal Crawford of the Clippers.

To start with, now would be a perfect time to try to strike a deal with the Clips. They just pulled off one of the biggest coups in league history and could be blinded by that move and willing to make other deals.

Landing Crawford would give the Cavaliers another player who can create his own shots and score both from behind the arc and off the dribble. He would likely take J.R. Smith's place coming off the bench and provide the same scoring punch without the negative plays Smith is wont to make from time to time.

Jay Williams of ESPN thinks the Cavs could be dangerous if they land Crawford:

After seeing how far they got, the Cavs are in win-now mode. Expect them to make a few more moves this offseason.

Heat Trying to Save Money

After agreeing with Dwyane Wade on a one-year, $20 million dollar deal and extending Goran Dragic for $90 million over five years, the Miami Heat have a lot of money committed to the salary cap.

According to Zach Lowe of Grantland, the Heat could be looking at a high luxury tax bill: "In the meantime, bringing Wade back on a one-year, $20 million deal puts the Heat about $13 million over the projected tax line, and Miami wants no part of the harsh repeater penalties that would come with paying the tax for a fourth time in five seasons. "

Because of that, Lowe says, the Heat could be looking to shed some salary. Lowe said Mario Chalmers and Chris Andersen are available "for nothing" and that the Heat have put out "Shabazz Napier feelers" to create extra cap space.

Chalmers and Andersen are by no means stars but are both solid role players with championship experience. If they are available for little to no investment, contenders looking to shore up their benches should put in a call to Pat Riley.

Are Swaggy P's Days Numbered in L.A.?

The Los Angeles Lakers used to be big-timers when it came to player transactions. Once upon a time (but not all at the same time), they traded for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Wilt Chamberlain and signed Shaquille O'Neal in free agency.

Now the Lakers are consistently striking out in the offseason. They missed on LaMarcus Aldridge and Kevin Love. Not getting Love is especially surprising, considering he is from Southern California. But the allure of the Lakers just isn't there anymore.

The Lakers did, however, ink reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams and trade for center Roy Hibbert. But according to Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, the Lakers aren't done yet.

TSpears said the Lakers are "exploring trades for" Nick "Swaggy P" Young, Ryan Kelly and Robert Sacre. Kelly and Sacre, the report said, could possibly land in Indiana as part of the Hibbert deal. As of now, the agreed-upon compensation was a future second-round pick.

With a core of Kobe Bryant, D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle, the Lakers may no longer need Young's ball domination or quirky antics. If the Lakers can get another role player or even a second-rounder for the enigmatic scorer, it can help them in the future.

Some may think second-round picks aren't valuable, but the Lakers know firsthand how much of a difference a second-rounder can make. Just ask Clarkson or Draymond Green.

While transitioning from the Bryant era, the Lakers are a long-term rebuild project. Compiling all the assets they can may not be a bad idea.