NBA Free Agency has officially been underway for nearly two weeks, yet it feels like it's already over. Nearly all of the big names have already signed new deals, and as such, many teams are exploring trade possibilities for players that are on the block. The biggest name available is Carmelo Anthony, who remains on the New York Knicks, but that isn't expected to be the case for much longer. Here are all the latest NBA rumors you need to know:
Ryan Anderson's contract holding up Carmelo Anthony trade
The Knicks and Houston Rockets are moving closer to a four-team trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to the Rockets, but a deal would have been completed sooner if the Knicks were willing to take on Ryan Anderson's contract. However, New York has refused to do so, and they are trying to find another team willing to take him on, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Until further notice, Ryan Anderson will be known as “the Melo stopper” because the Houston Rockets forward appears to be responsible for holding up a potential Carmelo Anthony trade. ...
This Knicks-Rockets trade could have been completed two weeks ago if the Knicks were willing to trade for Anderson’s contract. Instead, as ESPN reported on Wednesday, the Knicks and Rockets are trying to facilitate a deal by recruiting a third team and perhaps a fourth.
A source told the Daily News that the deal is on the “two-yard line,” but to push the trade to pay dirt, some team has to want Anderson. And that’s the tough part.
Anderson has three years and $61 million left on his contract, while Anthony has two years and $54 million remaining.
The New Orleans Pelicans are rumored to be included the deal by taking on Anderson, who played for the franchise from 2012-16, but need a fourth team to help make the salaries work.
New York and Houston have also reportedly been talking to the Portland Trail Blazers about being a third team in an Anthony trade. However, it's unclear if those talks are still happening.
Anthony averaged 22.4 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this past season.
Knicks trying to acquire Eric Bledsoe
In separate trade negotiations, the Knicks have had talks with the Phoenix Suns about acquiring Eric Bledsoe, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.
A source told The Post the Knicks inquired about Phoenix point guard Eric Bledsoe, whom Jeff Hornacek coached with the Suns.
Bledsoe is 27 with two years and $29 million left on his pact. The Knicks don’t have many trade chips except a future first-round pick and starting shooting guard Courtney Lee.
Bledsoe averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds per game last season.
Nerlens Noel still hoping to receive bigger offer
Dallas Mavericks big man Nerlens Noel may be the best free agent still available, but he has yet to receive a real offer from another teams. That's because, since he is a restricted free agent, Dallas can match any offer he receives, which they have said they plan to do.
Still, Noel and his camp are holding out in hopes of getting an offer worth more than what the Mavs are currently offering him, according to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.
Clearly, the Mavericks' offer is something that Noel's camp believes they can improve on. The Mavericks are believed to be offering something in the $18 million to $20 million salary range.
Noel could earn a maximum of $24.75 million in the first season of his new contract.
The Mavericks have the option to match any deal he receives and have indicated that they are likely to do so, which has a way of scaring off bidders.
Noel averaged 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 22 games with the Mavs after being traded from the Philadelphia 76ers at last season's trade deadline.
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