The NBA Draft is complete and teams around the NBA have turned their attention to the start of free agency on July 1st. With the cap rising, many players are due to get pay raises this offseason. With the start of free agency just days away, the NBA rumor mill is starting to crank up. Check out the latest NBA rumors and news below.
Pacers Targeting Jeremy Lin?
The Pacers have already swung two trades for PG Jeff Teague and PF Thaddeus Young, but they likely aren't done making moves yet. Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star says the Pacers could target several players in free agency, including Jeremy Lin.
"The Pacers need a backup point guard and Lin would be a strong contributor behind Teague if they do not re-sign Ty Lawson," Taylor writes. "One of Lin’s best qualities is his ability to attack the rim and score in bunches ... Lin should fit within the Pacers salary cap, and he is determined to sign a long-term deal after playing for five different teams in the past six seasons. The negatives for the Pacers is that Lin could be offered plenty of money and a starting job elsewhere."
Lin would become a sixth man for the Pacers and as Taylor said, they have the cap space to add him. He'd be a key contributor off the bench that needs help. Other players mentioned by Taylor are Festus Ezeli, Marvin Williams, Nic Batum and Ryan Anderson.
Lance Stephenson A Free Agent
Stephenson could once again be searching for a new team.
Vertical Sources: Memphis has declined Lance Stephenson's $9.4M team option. He'll be free agent. Interest for return, interest elsewhere.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 27, 2016
Charania doesn't mention which teams are interested in Stephenson, but he's bounced around the NBA since leaving the Pacers. He's played for the Hornets, Clippers and Grizzlies since leaving Indiana after the 2013-14 season. He struggled in Charlotte and Los Angeles, but averaged 14.2 points per game after landing with Memphis mid-way through last season.
Ekpe Udoh Returning To The NBA?
Udoh was the No. 6 overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2010 NBA Draft, but the Baylor product struggled. He lasted less than two seasons with the Warriors and played for the Bucks and Clippers before leaving for the Euroleague last year. Now, after playing well overseas, Udoh is ready to return to the NBA.
"It's definitely a possibility to come back to the NBA," Udoh told The Vertical. “I can see myself fitting back today. I have lowered my weight to 240, so I’m even more mobile. I protect the rim, get out in transition and I’m able to play with any team and guard one through five. That was a big focal point around the NBA this past season, finishing off the pick-and-roll or hitting the open man. I can fit back in the NBA with whatever decision that I make."
The 29-year-old Udoh has set an early July decision for himself, as he weighs offers from two of the top Euroleague teams as well as six unnamed NBA teams. Udoh was great in Europe, putting up nearly 12 points and six rebounds per game last year. He also set the Euroleague record for most blocks in a single season. It's unclear if Udoh will return to the NBA, but he could finally be the shot blocking presence teams thought he would be coming out of Baylor.
Back to the NBA Newsfeed