Dropping bunch of rumors before business picks up this week…
Dallas Mavericks
-Very interested in free agent Pau Gasol, as long as his price tag isn't too large
-They would also like to be in on free agent Marcin Gortat, but that will be tough as his team (Washington) have cap space and should be inclined to keep him
-They could be in on free agent Luol Deng
-While an underdog in the sweepstakes, they should have a face-to-face meeting with Carmelo Anthony
-Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye is expected to opt out of the final year of his deal ($6.8M). He will interest Golden State (perhaps in the event the Kevin Love trade never happens) and Cleveland.
-Denver guard Nate Robinson will remain with the team, exercising his $2.1M player option for next season.
-Houston forward Francisco Garcia will opt out of his $1.3M option for next season and become a free agent. The Rockets thank him, giving them one less obstacle towards enticing a superstar to join Howard & Harden.
-Milwaukee has been talking to teams about a few possible trades. The most likely scenario has them moving Ersan Ilyasova for a late-first round pick (perhaps Houston's 25th overall selection).
-The Bucks figure to be in full rebuilding mode (what were they in before?) and both John Henson and Brandon Knight are said to be available in trades. It may also be the only way for them to get rid of Larry Sanders' terrible contract, partnering him up with one of the young guys in a trade.
-The Sixers at #3 in the draft are expected to take G Dante Exum but may be moved to take F Noah Vonleh. Of course, other rumors say they're very much interested in Joel Embiid, so who the fuck knows.
-Sacramento's Rudy Gay will exercise his $19.3M option for next season and will resume long-term extension talks late this summer. He likely wants to see the moves they make after free agency begins on July 1st (deals cannot be signed until July 10th), but the Kings look at him as a major building block for the team and want to keep him. If they end up reaching a deal this summer, it's likely going to be a 4-year deal (including 3-year extension), but if it blows up, he can become a free agent next summer.
-Nets and Cavaliers are discussing a trade to swap Marcus Thornton and Jarrett Jack. The Nets would look to replace Shaun Livingston with Jack, assuming Livingston can get a bigger deal in free agency to leave. Jack is owed $6.3M each of the next two years and has a team option for '16-'17. Thornton has one year left at $8.69M.
-On the Warriors/Love front, new head coach Steve Kerr and "adviser" Jerry West don't want to trade Klay Thompson while ownership and the GM are leaning towards moving him in the package for Kevin Love.