The NBA rumors and news keep going as free agency continues and trade talks heat up as the top free agents get taken off the board.
Check out the latest ones below:
Lance Stephenson
Arguably the best free agent left after the flurry of signings that started last Friday, Stephenson was picked up by the Charlotte Hornets.
A source told the Charlotte Observer that the agreement came after an all-night negotiating session.
“Stephenson fills an obvious need, as the Hornets were weak offensively at the shooting guard and small forward positions,” the Observer noted. “The 6-foot-5 Stephenson had a breakthrough season statistically, averaging 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.7 assists. He also shot 49 percent from the field and 35 percent from 3-point range.”
Stephenson will make $9 million each year in the next two years and will get a slight raise if the team picks up the team option for the third year.
Stephenson had spurned a five-year, $44 million offer from the Indiana Pacers.
“Indy, I had a great 4 years. Thank you Larry Bird, the fans, my coaches and teammates for the incredible experience. I will never forget any of you!” Stephenson said via Twitter.
“I now have to look to the next phase of my career and the wonderful opportunity to continue to grow as a player and as a person in Charlotte! I’m excited to play for this franchise and the fans!! #buzzcity.”
Ray Allen
Now perhaps the best shooting guard left on the market despite his advanced age, Allen is trying to decide between retirement and a new team.
It appears that Allen will not return to the Miami Heat while he has spoken with the Houston Rockets and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Sun Sentinel that he has yet to speak with Allen.
“We knew that he wanted to take some time and be patient to see where he is,” Spoelstra said. “We‘ll see what happens. I don’t even know where we’ll be with our roster, but we owe a lot to Ray.”
LeBron James has been attracting former teammates to the Cavs, including Mike Miller and James Jones, and some believe that Allen is next.
Rashard Lewis
Lewis opted not to return to the Heat, instead going to the Dallas Mavericks.
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban revealed the move Tuesday night in a post on a Cyber Dust account controlled by Cuban and the team.
The 34-year-old Lewis is a two-time All-Star who has played 16 seasons with four teams since going straight to the NBA out of a Houston high school in the 1998 draft. He played for Seattle (1998-2007), Orlando (2007-10) and Washington (2010-12) before the last two seasons in Miami.
His one-year deal in Dallas came on the same day the Mavericks officially signed forwards Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons.
Lewis has averaged 14.9 points and 5.2 rebounds in his 1,049 career games.
Carlos Boozer
After being amnestied by the Chicago Bulls, Boozer is now the most attractive big man on the market.
The Bulls amnestied Boozer to clear cap space to sign Pau Gasol.
“Per the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, Boozer will now be subject to a 48-hour waiver process whereby teams currently under the salary cap can bid for his services (at a minimum of $1.5 million). Whoever bids the highest must pay Boozer that amount, with Chicago paying the difference,” reported Bleacher Report.
The Charlotte Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and Milwaukee Bucks are among the teams that could try to snag Boozer.
The Los Angeles Lakers, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat have also been named as potential suitors, the latter particularly if it doesn’t re-sign Chris Andersen.
“Wanna Say Thank You To The Bulls Organization!!! Thank You For The Last Four Years!!!” Boozer said via Twitter on Monday.
DeJuan Blair
Looks like the Washington Wizards have acquired another big man.
After reports that the Wizards and Dallas Mavericks were discussing a sign-and-trade, Blair told fans via Twitter on Wednesday: “DC!”
Blair joins newly acquired Kris Humphries, as well as Nene, Marcin Gortat, and Drew Gooden.
The Wizards also snagged Paul Pierce for the starting small forward slot, and have Martell Webster and Otto Porter coming off the bench.
Ed Davis
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired the big man late Wednesday.
Davis, 25, played for the Memphis Grizzlies last year, averaging 5.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 15.2 minutes per game. He was originally a first round draft pick for the Toronto Raptors in 2010.
Sources told Yahoo that Davis agreed to a two-year, $2 million deal.
“Davis has the chance to earn considerable minutes with the Lakers, who also drafted power forward Julius Randle out of Kentucky in June,” it reported.
“Davis, who is 6-foot-10 and 230 pounds, has shown flashes throughout his career. Nevertheless, he likely needed a change of venue after a year of political infighting within ownership, management and the coaching staff complicated his role in Memphis last season.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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