The NBA free agency frenzy has died down and with the summer league complete, and the league has reached a quiet point. However, there are a few trade rumblings and free agents available that are still creating buzz. Here are the latest NBA rumors and news you need to know:
Clippers to overhaul roster?
The Los Angeles Clippers are facing a crucial season - and offseason. Both Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are poised to be unrestricted free agents next summer, and there are already reports that the Oklahoma City Thunder plan to sign Griffin away from the Clippers. Several other teams are targeting Griffin as well, and because of that, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders reports that Los Angeles may look to trade Griffin in order to keep Paul happy:
On the surface it seems foolish and somewhat unlikely to believe that Griffin lands in Oklahoma City anytime soon. However, there are many in the NBA that believe if the Clippers cannot get over the top this season, there will be big changes made to ensure the Clippers do not lose star guard Chris Paul to free agency next summer.
The Thunder won’t be alone if Griffin hits the open market. The Boston Celtics have long had eyes for Griffin, and there has been talk that the Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls would also make a hard push at Griffin. Coincidentally, both teams have tradable assets now if the Clippers decide they want to consider a trade.
Ray Allen eyeing comeback
Just days after NBA veteran Derek Fisher hinted at making a comeback, sharpshooter Ray Allen looks poised to do the same. He told the Hartford Courant's Dan Amore that he has been talking to teams about returning to the league:
It has been assumed that Allen, who last played for the Heat in 2014, would be most likely to join the champion Cavaliers, reuniting in Cleveland with LeBron James, or the runner-up Warriors, who have added Kevin Durant to the team that went 73-9 in the regular season.
The Spurs and Clippers have been mentioned, also, but Allen said he has spoken with the Celtics, with whom he won a championship in 2008, and the Bucks, his first NBA stop.
"I would love going back to those places if it worked out," Allen said, "because both teams are good, too. It doesn't necessarily have to be championship-or-bust for me to go back to the NBA.
"I want to be in a situation where I thought I could help, play a little bit and help where they have good young talent."
Allen, who lives much of the time in Miami, has opened a restaurant called Grown, said he is not yet sure what direction the Heat are taking. How about the Knicks? "Spike Lee has been trying to recruit me," Allen said. "We've been texting."
Allen averaged 9.6 points and shot 37.5 percent from three-point range in the 2013-14 season, his final year in the league.
Stephenson to play overseas?
Lance Stephenson is one of the few impact players that are still on the market as free agents, but his immediate future may not be in the NBA. According to Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, Stephenson may play overseas next season:
One free agent who may have to head overseas is Lance Stephenson, whose option was not picked up by Memphis. It’s uncertain why the Grizzlies passed on Stephenson, who averaged 14.2 points and shot 47.4 percent from the field in 26 games after he was acquired from the Clippers. Stephenson has enough talent to help a contender, but the question is whether his quirky personality has scared off teams.
Several NBA teams have expressed interest in Stephenson, including the Knicks, Nets and Timberwolves. However, no one has had serious talks about signing him yet.
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