NBA Rumors: Latest on Amar'e Stoudemire, Ryan Anderson and More

At this point, NBA free agency is an illusion. 

It looks like there isn't much left to think about with some of the biggest names off of the market. Looks are deceiving, though, and there are plenty of names making the rounds who can still make a positive impact on franchises.   

Whether it's a pivotal role player who can stretch the floor with his shooting or key rotational depth for a team believing it is one step away from contention, the mill is far from quiet.

Below, let's take a look at the latest chatter and what it means for all involved.

Suns Looking to Deal?

LM Otero/Associated Press

By most accounts, the Phoenix Suns are having a solid offseason.

Sure, the organization missed out on LaMarcus Aldridge and the big fish, but it did manage to improve with the acquisition of Tyson Chandler, per the Associated Press (via NBA.com).

The Suns don't sound finished, either.

According to basketball writer Jordan Schultz, the front office seems to have an interest in Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans:

Anderson, 27, is just what a team in search of a stretch player needs. He can bang down low, but as averages of 13.7 points and 4.8 boards per game and a 34-percent conversion rate from deep last season show, he can take defenders with him out of the paint. 

The hiccup with Anderson pertains to his contract. Per Spotrac, Anderson comes with an $8.5 million cap hit next year, which may be a tough pill for the Suns to swallow.

If the Suns can get creative to eat one year of the contract, Anderson makes sense. 

Cavaliers Tackling Depth Issue

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

The Cleveland Cavaliers won't struggle in the postseason when it comes to depth again.

At least, that's the area the front office seems to be addressing given the team's offseason and reported interests. The team brought on Mo Williams and remains involved in the rumor mill.

One such rumbling suggests the team still wants to bring back veteran shooter J.R. Smith, per Bleacher Report's Jared Zwerling:

Now 29 years old, Smith was a nice surprise with the Cavaliers last season, averaging 12.7 points and 2.5 assists in 46 appearances with the team.

It seems like it will still take some time for the market to heat up for Smith. The Cavaliers can use this down period to secure a proven scorer to complement Iman Shumpert and others. 

Earlier this offseason, Cavaliers general manager David Griffin said Smith would be back with the team "if it's the right situation for us," per Chris Haynes of Northeast Ohio Media Group.

It seems like the NBA world will find out soon whether it is or not.

Amar'e Stoudemire Latest

As of late, one cannot open up a web browser and not hear about veteran forward Amar'e Stoudemire.

Why not? He's one of the biggest names on the market, even if his decision this offseason won't come with the major impact of a few years ago when he joined the New York Knicks.

Last year, Stoudemire still averaged 11.5 points and 5.6 boards as a role player. So long as he doesn't expect a major starting role at 32 years old, there figures to be plenty of teams with an interest.

One might be the Miami Heat, and it even sounds like a deal is close, per Zwerling:

The Heat already have Chris Bosh and Josh McRoberts down low, as well as Hassan Whiteside and Chris Andersen at center. Bosh and Whiteside aren't going anywhere, but it wouldn't be wild to think the other two could go on the block to save cap space.

It might depend on what Stoudemire wants, both in terms of money and a team capable of contending. The Heat landed Justise Winslow in the draft and kept Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade around, so contention in the Eastern Conference is easy to presume.

If it comes down to money, this might turn into a waiting game. If the two sides join forces, though, it just makes the Heat even more dangerous.

All stats and info via ESPN.com unless otherwise specified.