NBA Rumors: Latest Update on Players and Teams

The rumor mill has been buzzing since the players and owners reached a tentative agreement to end the NBA lockout.

With agents, players and teams finally allowed to make contact with one another, speculation regarding potential roster moves was kicked into overdrive. The rumors seem to increase by the second, and as we move closer toward the first game of the season, such madness is only going to become more prevalent.

The NBA may be known as the place where amazing happens, but it is rapidly becoming where insanity ensues as well.

Chris Paul's Wish List

Chris Broussard of ESPN reported via Twitter that New Orleans Hornets star point guard Chris Paul had a list of teams that he would prefer to wind up with.

The New York Knicks topped Paul's wish list, and it is even believed he is willing to wait until next summer's free-agency period to sign with them. Aside from the Knicks, Paul also named the Los Angeles Clippers as team that he would be willing to sign a contract extension with.

Now that the superstar's apparent desire to leave New Orleans has been made public, expect to see a flurry of teams flood the Hornets' phone lines.

Los Angeles Clippers to Make a Heavy Push for Dwight Howard

Blake Griffin could use a running mate in the low post, and as it turns out, the Los Angeles Clippers' player of choice may not be Chris Kaman or DeAndre Jordan, but rather Dwight Howard.

After it was made evident that Chris Paul would be willing to sign an extension with the Clippers, the team's Howard aspirations were brought to light. The Clippers will reportedly do "whatever it takes" to get the star center.

This means not only would any potential Paul trade have to be put on the back-burner, but it also that the Los Angeles Lakers have some serious competition.  

Los Angeles Lakers to Make a Push for Both Chris Paul and Dwight Howard

As if acquiring one superstar wouldn't prove difficult enough, the Los Angeles Lakers apparently have their eye on obtaining two.

The Lakers reportedly are hoping to put together trade packages that would land both Dwight Howard and Chris Paul in purple and gold, thus creating a superstar powerhouse that trumps any other formations we have seen before.

Los Angeles is known to be looking to make a major splash in the trade market this season, and as far-fetched as said aspirations may be, they certainly keep in theme with the team's goals.

Washington Wizards Will Not Amnesty Clause

Rashard Lewis, who is set to earn a whopping $21.1 million this season and $22.6 million the next, seemed certain to become a victim of the new CBA's amnesty clause.

That apparently isn't going to happen, as the Washington Wizards have no plans to use the amnesty clause on him.

Is this slightly perplexing? Of course, but then again, maybe they acquired another one of the worst contracts in NBA history that we didn't know about. 

Rajon Rondo on the Trade Block, Boston Celtics Struggling to Find Taker

Somewhat surprisingly, the Boston Celtics have exhibited a strong willingness to trade star point guard Rajon Rondo. Even more surprisingly, the team is having trouble finding an interested suitor.

Boston originally offer Rondo and Jeff Green to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook and Kendrick Perkins, a deal that was illegal in principle and rejected by the Thunder.

Now, it has become apparent the Celtics are looking to turn their point guard into New Orleans' point guard. The Hornets do not seem to be interested in a straight up deal though, leaving Boston to try and find a third team to make such a trade happen.

The Celtics have also been in discussion with the Indiana Pacers, as Boston looks to acquire the pieces necessary to make a push for Paul.

Who would have thought that Rondo would not only make an appearance on the trade block, but that Boston would have to be the ones working hardest toward ensuring a deal goes down?

Chris Paul Unwilling to Sign Extension with Boston Celtics

All of the Chris Paul to the Boston Celtics trade chatter may be a moot point, as it doesn't seem that the Hornets star is willing to sign an extension with them.

With the Celtics core aging rapidly, and the team's days among the best in the league numbered, Paul may not be apt to commit long-term to a situation that would look strikingly similar in a few years to the one he is already in.

It's hard to argue with that logic.

New York Knicks Make a Phone Call to Caron Butler

As the New York Knicks look to strengthen their perimeter offense, making a play to re-sign Shawne Williams was a predictable move. Exhibiting an interest in both Grant Hill and Caron Butler wasn't.

The Knicks apparently contacted the agent for Butler Wednesday, but remain interested in the other two small forwards as well. New York is only willing to offer one-year deals so that they don't ruin their chances of signing a third superstar next summer, which makes Hill and Williams the more likely candidates.

While Butler is coming off an injury plagued 2010-11 season, a one-year deal is not likely to entice him all that much, as there are most likely other teams willing to offer him more years and money.

Look for Williams and Hill to become the team's primary targets.

New Jersey Nets Interested in Nene, Tyson Chandler, Prepping Package for Howard

The New Jersey Nets apparently already have a trade package prepared that they intend to offer the Orlando Magic in exchange for Dwight Howard.

Nets General Manager Billy King denies such claims, but the team's desire to obtain the big man is no secret. Brook Lopez is the apparent focal point of said package, along with two first-round draft picks and New Jersey's ability to take back Hedo Turkoglu's bloated contract.

Additionally, the Nets are reportedly also interested in unrestricted free agents Nene Hilario and Tyson Chandler. New Jersey is hopeful to obtain one in order to strengthen their interior play, as well as give Deron Williams another capable running mate.

Either one could be used as trade bait for Howard or as a means to acquire other impact players to place around him later on.

Utah Jazz Place Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap on the Trading Block

With the Utah Jazz set to go all-in on Derrick Favors, it seems that both Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson have become available.

The Jazz are probably looking only to deal one, and the more likely candidate would be Millsap, given he plays the same position as Favors. That being said, Utah is in rebuilding mode and may not mind moving Jefferson and the remaining $26 million remaining on his contract in addition.

There is likely to be no shortage of interest in either big man, and the Indiana Pacers have already emerged as potential suitors for Millsap.

The Jazz pulled the trigger on a deal that sent one prized player in Deron Williams packing, so don't be surprised if they have another one or two of those trades left in them.

Tyson Chandler Expects to Leave the Mavericks

Tyson Chandler told ESPN in a phone interview that he really thinks he is "going to be on a new team come training camp."

Everyone knew that there would be a high demand for Tyson Chandler's services once free agency began, but there was a sense that he and the Dallas Mavericks would re-up, mostly due to the fact there seemed to be mutual interest in doing so.

However, now that Chandler is weighing all of his options and feeling particularly snubbed by Dallas' failure to offer him a contract extension sooner, the big picture has changed.

As may Chandler's uniform of choice.

You can follow Dan Favale on Twitter here @Dan_Favale.