NBA training camps are now opening across the league as the new season is finally getting underway. However, there are a few notable trade rumors floating around as well as questions surrounding the health of a few stars. Here are the latest NBA rumors you need to know:
Heat targeting top-tier free agents
With Chris Bosh now unlikely to every play again for the Miami Heat, they will have a bunch of cap room to spend. According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Heat already have several targets in mind:
If Bosh is cleared from Miami’s cap, which is now expected, the Heat will attempt to land a star from among Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul and Blake Griffin with its projected $42 million available.
But the next tier or two of free agents includes skilled shooters such as Utah’s Gordon Hayward (who will get a ton in this inflated market), Golden State’s Andre Iguodola, Denver’s Danilo Gallinari, the Clippers’ J.J. Redick, New Orleans’ Tyreke Evans, OKC’s Anthony Morrow and Sacramento’s Omri Casspi.
Also keep Rudy Gay’s name in mind. He informed the Kings that he likely will opt out of his contract next summer, and a close associate said the Heat appeals to him. Gay has averaged 18.4 points per game in his career, with 750 three-pointers on 34.4 percent shooting.
Worth noting with Gay is that he has requested a trade from the Kings, so there is a chance that the Heat could get him this season. However, Gay has also said he will opt out of his contract to become a free agent this summer, so Miami is unlikely to give something up for him when they can just sign him over the summer.
It's clear that the Heat have their sights set on luring a top-tier star to South Beach, and they're counting on either the Warriors or Clippers breaking up after this season.
Curry contract projection
Speaking of Curry, the Heat are one of several teams that are holding out hope that he will leave the Warriors. He's due a massive upgrade from the $12.1 million he's slated to make this season. Just how much?
After consulting the wise @LarryCoon, @espn's new latest estimate for the Steph Curry max next summer is a five-year, $165 million deal.
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) September 28, 2016
Golden State has to re-sign both Curry and Durant this summer, which will put them right on the edge of the salary cap. Curry has said he is "optimistic" that he will re-sign with the Warriors.
The two-time reigning MVP averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game last season.
Duncan to come out of retirement?
Tim Duncan announced his retirement from the NBA this summer, but some don't think he'll star retired for long. Frank Isola of the New York Daily News is one of those people who is "convinced" Duncan will make a NBA return at some point this season:
. @FisolaNYDN is "convinced" that Tim Duncan is going to play again this season. Do you agree? #TheStartingLineup
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 29, 2016
Duncan currently has an undefined role with San Antonio's front office, so he's still around the team on a daily basis. He averaged 8.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game last season.
Back to the NBA Newsfeed