NBA Rumors: Latest on Nick Young Trade and Free-Agent Rumblings

The lull of the sporting world, when even award shows reign supreme, doesn't mean things shut down on the Association's rumor mill.   

In fact, things are still alive and buzzing as teams around the NBA look for better depth, want to avoid cap issues and even set the roster up well for future spending sprees down the road.

The rumor mill never sleeps and neither should fans when contenders such as the Houston Rockets and rebuilders such as the Los Angeles Lakers are still on the prowl.

Below, let's take a look at the latest offerings from the mill.

Chuck Hayes-Rockets Pairing?

david zalubowski/Associated Press

It has been a solid offseason for the Rockets, a team able to keep Patrick Beverley and add Sam Dekker in the draft.

By the sounds of the rumblings around the organization, depth underneath the basket remains a priority as the summer continues.

According to Yahoo Sports' Marc Spears, the Rockets have an interest in veteran Chuck Hayes:

Hayes is reliable depth who spent the last two seasons with the Toronto Raptors, although the Houston faithful will better remember his six years with the Rockets before he started to bounce around the league.

The Kentucky product is 32 years old now, but as far as a depth add goes, Hayes would improve the chart and give the front office flexibility to make further moves, if it so chooses.

With Dwight Howard and Clint Capela at center and Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas and Montrezl Harrell at the 4, Hayes wouldn't see a ton of time. Still, there is nothing wrong with an insurance policy.

Norris Cole's Market

Brandon Dill/Associated Press

There is always room for a young guard with some upside in the NBA, which would explain why the market for Norris Cole continues to heat up along with the summer. 

Cole spent four years with the Miami Heat before joining the New Orleans Pelicans in the middle of last season. In a brief period with the team, he posted a career-high 9.9 points per game.

Per Michael Scotto of the Associated Press and Sheridan Hoops, the Philadelphia 76ers have an interest in the 26-year-old guard:

The interest makes plenty of sense. Right now, the 76ers' depth chart at point guard consists of Tony Wroten, Isaiah Canaan, Pierre Jackson and T.J. McConnell.

Cole, in other words, is worth a major shot, and the 76ers wouldn't mind letting him run wild to see what he can do with legitimate playing time.

Of course, Philadelphia won't be alone in this pursuit. New Orleans would like him back to back up Jrue Holiday and can match any offer. It's unexpected, but one of the hottest market battles may occur over Cole.

Nick Young Update

Chris Carlson/Associated Press

Perhaps the biggest name on the trade market will continue to sit there.

This refers to Nick Young and his $5.2 million cap hit next season, per Spotrac. The Lakers were looking to trade Young to clear cap space in the wake of other moves, such as bringing in Roy Hibbert via a trade, but now, according to Bill Oram of the Orange County Register, it doesn't sound like a deal will get done:

This is the Association, though, and these things change in a hurry.

Young is 30 years old, but he still averaged 13.4 points per game last year. He's not much of a fit in Los Angeles, with Kobe Bryant on his way back and the addition of superb sixth man Lou Williams.

If nothing happens, it sounds like general manager Mitch Kupchak and the team are willing to work with Young, per the team:

It's still one of the developing items to watch on the mill, though. If the right contender comes calling, Young could act as a major depth asset and provide critical scoring off of the bench.

Right now, things appear calm. It might be the so-called calm before the storm, though, as cap situations and needs around the league change at a moment's notice. 

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