Free-agent point guard Isaiah Thomas had been mentioned as a target of the Detroit Pistons, but they're now out of the running for Thomas, according to Sam Amick of USA TODAY.
NBA free agency rumor roundup: Pistons out of running for Isaiah Thomas, Pat Riley confident in return of Big 3
With Thomas not likely headed to the Pistons, the Lakers could take a run at the point guard if they miss on Carmelo Anthony. Down in Miami, Riley is confident the Big Three will re-sign.
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It’s unclear why the Pistons are no longer an option, but Matt Watson over at Detroit Bad Boys posited a few theories:
It's not yet known why the Pistons are no longer in the running. Did Thomas cross them off his list? Was Detroit's interest contingent on a sign-and-trade (preferably involving Josh Smith and/or Brandon Jennings)? Were the Pistons ever a serious option after blowing half of their cap space on Jodie Meeks?
Amick followed up his initial report with this:
Addendum to earlier Pistons intel: they're not eager to part ways with Josh Smith as has been indicated. Value him and not eager to dump.
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) July 8, 2014 Perhaps the Pistons were interested in Thomas, but the Kings wanted Smith back in a sign-and-trade, so it was no deal. Sacramento has been linked to Smith in the past couple of weeks, making this not too far-fetched, although it's interesting that Detroit supposedly isn't "eager" to move him.
With the Pistons reportedly out of the running for Thomas, the Los Angeles Lakers remain a player to sign him, although the Lakers are obviously waiting on Carmelo Anthony to make a decision before moving on to contingency plans.
Riley confident in return of Big 3
Rumors are abound that LeBron James is heading back to Cleveland. Chris Bosh has been offered a max contract by the Houston Rockets. But with the possibility of the breakup of his Big Three staring him in the face, Miami Heat president Pat Riley is still confident his three stars will return, according to Amick and Jeff Zillgitt of USA TODAY.
Riley made his first two key additions of the offseason on Monday, agreeing to deals with Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger. McRoberts should be a fine acquisition thanks to his slick passing and solid three-point shooting. Granger is more of a question mark due to injury problems and generally poor play last season.
The hope is these moves will help appease James, Bosh and Wade. Riley and James will have a sit-down in the coming days to discuss the future, while Bosh is mulling his contract offer from Houston. Bosh is open to the possibility of moving, but his preference is to remain in Miami:
Quote attributed to me on @Foxsports1 feed bit of context: Bosh's preference remains with LeBron in Miami, but he's open to Houston offer.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 8, 2014 Free agency remains in a bit of a holding pattern as the big stars wait to decide what they want to do. Also, would like to note that Tuesday is the four-year anniversary of “The Decision.” Just saying.
Melo torn on decision
Many expected Anthony to have picked his home by now, but the New York Knicks star is "agonizing" over his decision, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
The three favorites continue to be the Knicks, Lakers and Chicago Bulls. New York can offer the most guaranteed money, but Los Angeles and Chicago offer attractive benefits as well. The Lakers can sign Anthony outright to a max contract, and the 30-year-old has an offseason home in the area, so his family is comfortable out there. There's also a draw to playing with Kobe Bryant, even with the injury concerns.
Some believe the renewed interest in the Lakers could potentially lead to a sign-and-trade with the Bulls so the Knicks don't lose Anthony for nothing. Chicago can't offer a max contract without making several moves, including trading Taj Gibson, so they're relying on the sign-and-trade scenario. The Bulls offer Anthony the best chance to win right away.
Isola, as well as Marc Berman of the New York Post, also threw out the idea that Anthony is waiting to see what happens in Miami before making his choice. If Bosh were to leave for Houston, that could open up a spot for Anthony in Miami. However, that seems like a long shot at the moment.
Celtics trying to make a big splash
The Boston Celtics were involved in the Kevin Love sweepstakes before the draft, and Celtics president Danny Ainge continues to try and swing a deal for the prized power forward, according to Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald.
However, the Celtics and Minnesota Timberwolves haven't talked in over a week, and it's looking like Boston simply doesn't have what the Wolves desire in a Love deal. That might not change anytime in the near future, so if Ainge wants to land an impact player this offseason, he may have to turn his attention elsewhere.
The Celtics are reportedly trying to make a move for another big player in order to get back in the playoff picture relatively soon. Otherwise, Rajon Rondo might have to hit the trade market with his deal ending after next season. There were rumors of interest in Lance Stephenson, although Bulpett refuted them.
Pistons agree to deal with Gray
The Pistons have agreed to a multi-year deal with big man Aaron Gray. The deal was first reported by Yahoo! Sports’ Marc Spears and then confirmed by other media outlets. Terms of the deal were undisclosed.
Gray only played in 37 games last season between the Kings and Toronto Raptors. The center averaged just 1.8 points and three rebounds in 9.6 minutes per game.
Watson at Detroit Bad Boys speculates Gray will take the roster spot of fellow big man Josh Harrellson. Harrellson was signed to a two-year deal last August, but the second year had a team option.
Nets come to terms with Bogdanovic
After several years of waiting, the Brooklyn Nets finally have come to an agreement on a deal for European prospect Bojan Bogdanovic.
The deal is for the taxpayer mid-level exception for three years, which is worth about $10 million total. The third year of the deal is a player option.
As NetsDaily notes, the Nets almost signed Bogdanovic last offseason, but a $2 million buyout with Fenerbahce Ulker nixed that. With the signing of Bogdanovic and the possibility of Paul Pierce re-signing, Brooklyn could be on its way to another $100 million payroll.
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