NBA Rumors: Top Five Free Agents Still On the Market

Most of the crucial decisions don't occur until mid-summer. The Offseason is just as exciting as regular season because of the surprising twists, turn arounds, and lay-offs.

This summer has received great amount of attention in terms of the League's Unrestricted and Restricted Free Agents. From Lebron's "Decision", to Hall of Fame Inductions, there's been alot going on. Every day articles continue to surface the net about who's going to which team and for how long and how much. 

There's still negotiating contracts and I wanted to bring light to rumors still floating.   

Anthony Tolliver

Anthony Tolliver, forward, said he has chosen to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a short video posted on YouTube that pokes fun at superstar LeBron James ''The Decision'' special on ESPN last month.

In a video entitled ''The Decision: Part Deux!!'' Tolliver spoofs all the attention given to James, who announced ''I will be taking my talents to South Beach'' in a one-hour television show on ESPN in July.

 ''Um, I think I made my decision this morning while using the bathroom,'' Tolliver says. ''It just came to me.''

Woman: ''So, are you going to let us know your decision?''

After writing it down on a piece of paper, Tolliver announces: ''I will be taking my services to the north, the Minnesota Timberwolves'' and holds up the piece of notebook paper.

According to an AP article, Tolliver agreed to a two-year deal after weighing offers from Minnesota and Golden State. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because no official announcement had been made.

After his college career at Creighton in 2007, Tolliver bounced around between minor league teams in the United States and playing overseas while he waited for a chance in the NBA. He played in 19 games with the San Antonio Spurs in 2008-09 and two with Portland last season before landing with the Warriors.

Tolliver averaged 12.3 points and 7.3 rebounds in 44 games with the Warriors.

Options:

Golden State Warriors

Rudy Fernandez

There have been rumors that the International star turned NBA player might be heading to Chicago or elsewhere.

Fernandez was scouted by the Portland Trail Blazers after impressive competition playing overseas. His high energy and three pointers were needed this season. However, last season he undergone surgery that came from a nerve root in his back which caused pain in his right leg. This resulted in him missing 19 games. 

“Something was missing from his game last season. He just didn’t play with any fire the times I watched him,” an Eastern Conference executive said. “For a guy whose games are all about energy and passion, that was an alarming sign for me. But he’s still young, just 25, and learning his way around this league. So I wouldn’t close the book on him yet.”

According to Chicago Tribune, it was rumored that they are looking to add many different options at shooting guard. Since then, they’ve since signed veteran swingman Keith Bogans, a better defender with getter strength but not nearly as much bounce as Fernandez.

The Bulls could still land Fernandez, though he’d be going into a similar situation that he did in Portland a couple of years ago.

Options:

Chicago Bulls

Portland Trail Blazers

Rasheed Wallace

Rasheed Wallace is similar to those like Iverson and McGrady. He’s out of his prime and out of time.

The Celtics won’t be trading or bringing back Rasheed Wallace this season. Instead, the veteran forward was waived Tuesday after spending one year in Boston, league sources told NBA.com.

Yesterday, Wallace’s agent confirmed the retirement to the Boston Globe. He said every possible trade using Wallace’s contract was further looked into and after it became clear he wasn’t returning. Wallace was owed $13 million for the final two years of the three-year deal. The Celtics likely bought out the remainder of the contract.

The Celtics didn’t wait around for the Wallace negotiation to play itself out. Needing frontcourt help with Kendrick Perkins out to start the season after major knee surgery, Ainge signed veteran centers Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal. So, where does that leave him? Wallace is technically free to sign with another team once he clears waivers and until retirement papers are filed. Although hopes of coming back next season on another roster is unlikely.

Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson was once a scoring machine. These past few years have been rough on and off the court, but now he is ready for his comeback. The problem is this summer had players who are younger and in better playing condition; therefore, that leaves Iverson at the bottom of the jar. Everyone knows what he is capable of doing on the court, so why haven’t things gone his way?

 In the beginning of the 2008-09 season, he was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the Detroit Pistons, where he didn’t receive much playing time. NBA fans weren’t accustomed to the bench player Iverson and the years following didn’t get better. The next fall, Iverson announced that he would join the Memphis Grizzlies. There he only played three games in Memphis, leaving after issues with injuries and playing time.

Many believe his lack of team encouragement and shooting stems from his daughter’s illness and gambling/drug addictions. Last year, he announced his retirement to Stephen A. Smith; nevertheless, his retirement would be temporary and interested teams would go for the grab. After rejoining the 76ers, the team that he played for during his prime, Iverson averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists per game.

 Many say he’s washed-up, but there are teams looking for a player with stability and speed and that leaves hope.

 Options:

Charlotte Bobcats with Coach Larry Brown

New York Knicks

New Jersey  

Tim Thomas

According to Jeff Caplan of ESPNDallas.com, the Dallas Mavericks are close to signing Tim Thomas to a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum:

Power forward Tim Thomas will visit the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday and the sides are expected to reach an agreement on a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum his agent, Bob Myers, said Monday. 

Thomas, 33, played just 18 games with the Mavs last season before leaving the team to be with his sick wife. He never disclosed his wife's illness, but she is apparently doing well enough for Thomas to return to the league. ESPN.com's Marc Stein first reported in late July that Thomas and the Mavs were working on a deal. 

"If all goes well, we'll reach an agreement," Myers said Monday. 

Last season, he averaged 7.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 16 minutes per game, and shot 37.2% from beyond the semicircle. At 33 years old, Thomas isn't out of his league, and he relies more on his length and shooting ability.