NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Possible Carmelo Anthony Trade, Dewayne Dedmon

Ten days after the start of free agency, a deep pool of talent remains available.

Many are lesser-known players seeking to fill niche roles. Take Dewayne Dedmon, for example.

In 2016-17, the San Antonio Spurs chose the 27-year-old 7-footer over Boban Marjanovic, who sought a bigger payday (and got it with the Detroit Pistons). Dedmon made a hair under $3 million and opted out of his player option for 2017-18.

Things have been pretty quiet surrounding the big man, but that was somewhat predictable. In 76 games, Dedmon contributed a career-high 5.1 points, 6.5 boards in 17.5 minutes. Again, that was his best. His per-36 numbers—10.5 points and 13.4 rebounds—jumped off the page, though, so it's not like he'll be waiting much longer.

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San Antonio signed big man Joffrey Lauvergne on Monday, per The Vertical's Shams Charania, further muddying the frontcourt that will return with LaMarcus Aldridge. The rest of last year's big-man rotation—Pau Gasol, David Lee, Dedmon—is not under contract.

According to Basketball Insiders' Michael Scotto, the Atlanta Hawks are interested in Dedmon:

It's a curious rumor, given the Hawks' dedication to an apparent rebuild. Miles Plumlee and rookie Diamond Stone are listed as the team's only centers. Dedmon doesn't seem to fit in Atlanta, even after the team traded Dwight Howard.

There has been speculation that the Boston Celtics would make sense:

Nothing has been reported, but if he doesn't end back up with the Spurs, Boston seems appropriate.

Carmelo Anthony

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Other types of talent available? Stars.

According to ESPN.com's Ian Begley, the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets "feel good about the possibility of completing a deal" that would allow Carmelo Anthony to create a loaded lineup with Chris Paul and James Harden.

On Sunday, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported that general manager Daryl Morey and the Houston front office is turning its "full attention" to acquiring 'Melo, who is, as a reminder, one of three NBA players with a no-trade clause.

Begley followed up Woj's report after the team signed Tim Hardaway Jr. to a four-year, $71 million contract by adding that the "Knicks do not imagine a scenario where [THJ] is sharing the floor with Anthony to start the season."

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Could a deal be happening sooner than later? That's what's trending .

SB Nation's Ethan Rothstein tweeted on Monday night that he overheard Woj at the Summer League indicating a trade was imminent but later deleted the post:

Begley provided a stronger report on the evening edition of SportsCenter (h/t NACE International's Ben DuBose):

With New York focusing on a youth moment spearheaded by 21-year-old star forward Kristaps Porzingis, the Knicks aren't a team with which Anthony can win. Not at this stage of his career, at least.

Now 33, Anthony would join an elite tandem of point guards in Houston. He'd have to create his own shot less and get open looks considerably more often. As we've seen on Team USA in the Olympics, 'Melo thrives around other stars.

Knicks acting decision-maker Steve Mills would surely want some draft stock in return for Anthony, who's still an All-Star player. Ryan Anderson would figure to be a piece, as well.