The start of NBA Free Agency is just days away and teams are narrowing their focus on which free agents to pursue once things kick off on July 1st. With the cap rising, many players are due to get pay raises this offseason. The NBA rumor mill is starting to churn, so here are the latest NBA rumors and news you need to know.
Could Dwyane Wade Leave?
Dwayne Wade has spent his entire NBA career with the Miami Heat. However, he could leave this offseason, reports ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Dwyane Wade's initial contract discussions with the Miami Heat have not produced a common ground between the parties, which has the All-Star guard preparing to field outside offers when free agency opens on Friday, according to league sources.
Sources told ESPN.com that Wade's representatives have made it known to multiple teams over the last several days that he will be on the market, sources said. Some teams have been skeptical, wondering if Wade would seriously consider leaving the franchise where he's played 13 seasons and won three titles.
This could be a leak to convince the Heat to pay up for Wade, who wasn't happy with contract negotiations last year. He's an aging player, but showed in the playoffs he can still play. Several teams could have interest in Wade, despite recent injury issues.
Lakers Still Chasing Durant?
The Lakers are far from the favorites to land Kevin Durant, but they aren't giving up yet. Chris Broussard of ESPN reports the Lakers are going to continue their pursuit of Durant.
Despite not being on the list of teams scheduled to meet with free-agent forward Kevin Durant, the Los Angeles Lakers have not abandoned their hopes of landing him, according to a person with knowledge of the club's thinking. The Lakers intend to contact Durant and his representatives July 1 and are confident they will get a meeting, the source said.
"I can't imagine Durant wouldn't talk to us," the source said. "That would shock me."
The Lakers aren't the only team without a meeting trying to secure one with Durant, as the Knicks and Hawks are doing the same. The Wizards have already elected to pull out of the Durant sweepstakes. The Lakers can make $60 million in cap space, so they can still chase another max player while holding out hope with Durant.
Jarrett Jack Trade?
The Brooklyn Nets have put PG Jarrett Jack on the trade block and it doesn't seem like the veteran will be back next season.
Sources: Brooklyn shopping Jarrett Jack w/ buyout date looming Thursday. Without trade, Nets plan to waive PG; would clear nearly $6M on cap
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) June 28, 2016
The Nets have interest in Brandon Jennings and Rajon Rondo. If they can land a free agent point, there won't be much need for the veteran Jack. With the Nets set to cut Jack, they could have a tough time finding a trade partner.
Who Wants Dion Waiters?
The Oklahoma City have Andre Roberson and the newly-acquired Victor Oladipo at shooting guard, which means they might not need restricted free agent Dion Waiters. At least two teams could try to poach Waiters from the Thunder.
The Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings have interest in Oklahoma City Thunder restricted free agent Dion Waiters, per league sources.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) June 28, 2016
The Thunder can match any contract offer for Waiters and could do so, even with Oladipo and Roberson. But if the Sixers or Kings, with plenty of cap space, offer Waiters a large contract, the Thunder could elect to let him walk.
Jazz Interested In Solomon Hill?
The Jazz won't land a Kevin Durant-type this offseason, but they have some space to add a role player or two. One player they are interested in is Pacers forward Solomon Hill. He'll be an unrestricted free agent and the Salt Lake Tribune reports his market will be "fertile." His versatility is a major factor in that, and he's looking for a contract between $9 and $13 million. The Jazz can afford that, but it remains to be seen if they're willing to pay that much to a bench player.