NBA Rumors Roundup: Dwight Howard Still Wants Trade, Afflalo Close to Re-Signing

Dwight Howard still wants to be traded out of Orlando, and his request to be dealt to a new team still stands.

Although much of the focus has been on the trade front with Howard and Chris Paul, there are still a lot of players available in free agency, and those guys are going to have to make a decision extremely soon about where they'll be suiting up for the season.

With all of the action that has gone down since the lockout ended, this is one offseason that basketball fans can agree has been packed with action.

Let's take a look at where things stand with only single-digit days left until the campaign begins.

Bismack Biyombo

Biyombo was the ninth overall draft pick by Michael Jordan's Bobcats in the 2011 class, but his plans to join the NBA are going to have to be put on hold.

He was not allowed to break his contract with his Spanish club, and as a result, FIBA has not cleared him to come stateside and join the Charlotte franchise.

The big, athletic prospect could have definitely earned a role on a team that is desperate for size, but he's not going to be coming into the fold at any point in the near future.

Richard Jefferson

Jefferson's name was synonymous with the amnesty clause when it was widely speculated that he'd be waived, but that doesn't appear likely to happen at this point.

With three years and more than $30 million left on his deal, it doesn't make a lot of sense for the Spurs to cut him, only to have to pay him anyway, without seeing what he can do for the team going forward.

He has not been all that impressive during his tenure with the Spurs, but he did shoot 44 percent from beyond the arc last season, and that's definitely a valuable asset for San Antonio in an effort to space the floor.

Michael Redd

Redd could wind up being one of the biggest free-agent bargains of the offseason if he shows he's finally healthy, but that's a big if following two consecutive ACL tears in the same knee.

There had been previous chatter that the veteran was looking to join an Eastern Conference contender, and it's believed that the Pacers, Wizards, Knicks and Celtics all have some interest in what he has to offer.

The Pacers could look to him after losing out on Jamal Crawford and O.J. Mayo, and depending upon the severity of Jeff Green's mysterious health issues, the Celtics would be wise to take a close look as well.

Andrei Kirilenko

Kirilenko continues to play professionally in Russia with CSKA Moscow, and he doesn't seem ready to leave unless he finds an offer he deems to his liking.

The versatile forward would make for an excellent addition to a number of clubs, but the Nets have been especially hot on his tail recently, and the team was hoping to "close deal" with him in the near future.

Despite the addition of Shawne Williams, New Jersey could definitely use more help on the low block, and Deron Williams has advocated for Kirilenko's presence on the roster.

Reggie Evans

It's a bit of a surprise that Evans hasn't been able to find a new home yet considering the distinct role he plays in the reserve unit, but it shouldn't take much longer to find a landing spot for the well-traveled big man.

After the Clippers added Chris Paul and Chauncey Billups, the two are reportedly pushing for a more physical presence on the roster, and Evans certainly fits that mold.

There's no question the team needs another body behind DeAndre Jordan in the reserve unit, and Evans would definitely bring a fiery approach off the bench.

Mo Evans

Evans was thought to be on New York's radar after the Knicks lost out on Shawne Williams and Jamal Crawford, but he's no longer on the market, either.

The veteran swingman will return to the team he finished the 2010-11 season with and sign with the Wizards for another season, providing a stable presence on the bench and in the locker room for a team that has a lot of youth.

He signed for the veteran's minimum, which is a pretty good value for Washington considering the Knicks may have been willing to offer the full $2.5 million exception.

Arron Afflalo

Afflalo is one free agent who should've already found a home by now, but he's had to wait for some of the "bigger names" to make their decisions before he got his situation addressed.

As a restricted free agent, the Nuggets have the opportunity to match any offer he receives, but Denver's general manager Masai Ujiri said that he is "very optimistic" on the Afflalo front.

This comes on the heels of a report that the team was making progress, as Ujiri called him the "final piece," and a deal should be constructed in the very near future between the two sides.

Dwight Howard

Despite the Magic ending all trade talks on the Howard front for the time being, the big man remains firm in his desire to be dealt out of Orlando.

Throughout the process, it's been clear that there have been three teams (Nets, Lakers, Mavericks) Howard prefers, but the Magic haven't been able to find a deal that satisfies the team.

This saga doesn't appear likely to end anytime soon, but it's difficult to imagine a scenario where Howard remains in Orlando for the entire season without the arrival of another star to play alongside him.

Given the current pieces on the roster, the Magic just don't have the assets to construct a trade to do that.