NBA Free Agents 2017: Latest Rumors, Predictions on Derrick Rose and More

On Saturday, the July moratorium opened the floodgates for players and front offices to freely negotiate deals, but teams can't finalize agreements until July 6 at noon. Still, recognizable names such as Derrick Rose and Rudy Gay have yet to agree to terms with a club.

At 28 years old, with four knee surgeries, Rose doesn't bring the same dynamic qualities to the lead guard position, but he scored 18 points per game on 47 percent shooting with the New York Knicks during the previous season. On nearly half the NBA teams, he's a starting-caliber player. However, after suffering a torn right meniscus in April, durability remains a question mark.

Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter tweeted the photo below, which stirred controversy about Gay's potential commitment to the team:

After acquiring Paul George late Friday, the Thunder could add another versatile veteran scorer to the starting lineup. Will Oklahoma City land Gay to assemble a probable 55-plus-win team for the upcoming season?

Rudy Gay Weighing Options After Meeting with Oklahoma City Thunder

Kanter's tweet raised eyebrows, but Erik Horne of The Oklahoman clarified Gay's nameplate as a prop:

According to The Undefeated's Marc J. Spears, Gay has four visits lined up through Tuesday:

ESPN's NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Golden State Warriors would show interest in Gay if Andre Iguodala accepted a lucrative deal elsewhere, via Basketball Insiders analyst Tommy Beer:

Iguodala agreed to a three-year, $48 million deal with the defending champions, per The Vertical's Shams Charania. As a result, you can potentially scratch one team off Gay's itinerary. HoopsHype writer Alex Kennedy suggests the San Antonio Spurs nearly came to an agreement with the 30-year-old forward:

According to Wojnarowski, Gay will meet with the Los Angeles Clippers, who certainly need a wing scorer in the starting lineup without JJ Redick in the fold:

The Spurs have a perennial contender with a sustained successful system over the past two decades under Gregg Popovich. The Thunder have to build chemistry between Westbrook and George on the fly. If the tandem clicks, Oklahoma City would have a playoff contender for years to come. However, knowing George may leave after one year, Gay likely realizes his role would significantly increase to start the 2018-19 season. 

Prediction: Rudy Gay signs with the Oklahoma City Thunder

Are the New York Knicks Seriously Considering Derrick Rose or Not? 

Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images

It's a two-sided storyline for Rose in New York.

The Knicks will seriously consider re-signing Rose, per ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman (via ESPN.com reporter Ian Begley). Then again, Knicks beat reporters for the New York Daily News, Stefan Bondy and Frank Isola, see him as a "long shot" to re-sign with the team. 

"Despite reports of mutual interest before Phil Jackson was fired, a reunion between the Knicks and Derrick Rose appears to be a long shot, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation," according to the New York Daily News report.

Even without Phil Jackson running the show, it's hard to figure out the Knicks' direction. However, Begley reports, New York doesn't plan to overspend on the free-agent market and would pursue younger assets and a veteran to help rookie guard Frank Ntilikina along in his development process.

At a reasonable price, Rose could serve as a veteran mentor, but take a look at his media day conference in 2015 with the Chicago Bulls:

Two years ago, Rose emphasized the need to cash in on the free-agent market. If his mindset remains the same and he's looking to sign the most lucrative offer, it's not likely with the Knicks. 

Due to Rose's injury history, he should temper his expectations and accept a more modest deal on a team that can plug him into a sizeable role. In June, ESPN.com reporter Ramona Shelburne revealed the Spurs' interest in the 28-year-old guard as an alternative to Chris Paul:

The Clippers and Houston Rockets executed a sign-and-trade, which pairs Paul with James Harden, leaving Rose and George Hill on the Spurs radar. The latter may seek a contract number above San Antonio's pay grade.

Prediction: Derrick Rose signs with the San Antonio Spurs

Knicks Interested in Shelvin Mack at Point Guard?

As noted above in Begley's report, the Knicks want young or inexpensive talent to fill the roster as the team defines its post-Phil Jackson direction. Kyle Lowry and Hill will likely agree to bigger deals. Unless Rose prefers the Knicks, he'll likely chase a better offer or team ready to compete in the postseason. Jeff Teague came to terms on a three-year, $57 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, per Associated Press writer Jon Krawczynski:

What's left?

According to Goodman, the Knicks have an interest in Shelvin Mack, who averaged 21.9 minutes per game during the previous season.

It's an underwhelming choice in terms of name recognition, but Mack flourished after the Atlanta Hawks traded him to the Utah Jazz during the 2015-16 season. In 28 games after the transaction, he averaged 12.7 points and 5.3 assists per contest. 

The Knicks need someone to temporarily service the position until Ntilikina takes over. In the meantime, Mack could blossom into a decent starter in the short term. In Utah, he proved the ability to score and distribute the ball in a starting role.

Don't expect New York to make huge free-agent splashes this summer. It's a franchise in front-office transition yet again. Without a team president in place, expect general manager Steve Mills to make deals that won't leave a lasting stain on the roster for the long term.

Once the Knicks make an executive hire or promotion, we'll find out the next step for the overall roster personnel.

Prediction: Shelvin Mack signs with the New York Knicks