With the NBA offseason now in full swing, I will have your daily updates from around the NBA concerning the latest rumors and speculation concerning all free agent signings and potential trades.
With that being said, let’s dive right into the latest buzz around the association after the first day of free agency.
Dwight Howard: Has requested a trade to the Brooklyn Nets (stop me if you’ve heard this one before). ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports that Howard met with new Orlando general manager Rob Hennigan and demanded a trade to Brooklyn.
Dwight Howard met with new Magic GM Rob Hennigan Friday in LA. Howard told Hennigan he wants to be traded to Brooklyn Nets, sources say.
— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) July 1, 2012
Toronto Raptors: ESPN’s Marc Stein is reporting via Twitter that the Raps are shopping point guard Jose Calderon so they don’t have to amnesty his $11 million or another large contract on the roster. Toronto is also aggressively trying to sign Steve Nash, offering him a deal that pays $12 million a year accoriding to SI.com’s Sam Amick.
Raps still meeting w/Steve Nash in NYC as we speak. Also: Told Raps already trying to trade Calderon so amnesty not needed on expiring deal
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 1, 2012
Roy Hibbert: Is leaning towards signing a max-deal offer sheet with the Portland Trail Blazers, which would give the Indiana Pacers three days to match, something you would think they would have to do.
Source: Portland GM Neil Olshey & team prez Larry Miller visited restricted free agent center Roy Hibbert tonight in DC, offered max deal
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 1, 2012
Nicolas Batum: The Minnesota Timberwolves are making a very hard push to sign the restricted free agent.
Steve Nash: In addition to the raptors making a strong push for the two-time MVP, Marc Berman reports that the New York Knicks are exploring sign-and-trade options to acquire the future Hall of Famer.
Joe Johnson: Yahoo Sports Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Brooklyn Nets and Atlanta Hawks are discussing a deal that would bring Johnson and his huge contract to Brooklyn.
Brooklyn and Atlanta are engaged in talks on a possible Joe Johnson trade, sources tell Y! Nets plan would be to pair with Deron Williams.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2012
Gerald Wallace: Howard Beck reported that Wallace agreed to a four-year deal with the Nets.
As reported elsewhere, Gerald Wallace and Nets agree to 4yr/$40 mil deal. Source says all 4 yrs guaranteed.
— Howard Beck (@HowardBeck) July 1, 2012
Boston Celtics: Having already re-signed Kevin Garnett, Celtics president Danny Ainge says re-signing Ray Allen is the team’s No. 1 priority, according to mark Murphy of the Boston Herald. If that doesn’t work, Boston will target shooting guards, Jason Terry, O..J Mayo, Jamal Crawford, Nick Young and others.
Deron Williams: Appears to be leaning toward re-signing in Brooklyn, according to several sources, but will meet with both the Mavs and Nets on Monday.
Jason Kidd: Appears to be signing with whatever team Williams does as he wants to be his backup.
Goran Dragic: Wants to be a starter and a slary that starts at $10 million, reports CBS Sports Ken Berger. I like Dragic a lot but not that much.
While we're on the topic, league sources say free-agent PG Goran Dragic also is looking for a deal that starts in the $10M range.
— Ken Berger (@KBergNBA) July 1, 2012
Pau Gasol: The Minnesota Timberwolves are the team hottest after Gasol, but I would expect a lot of teams to start to get into the sweepstakes.
Luis Scola: The Rockets tried to deal Scola in last year’s nixed Chris paul trade, but Stein reports that the Rockets are aggressively shopping Scola in different packages to attempt to land a franchise player.
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