HoopsHype.com Rumors

The source said two point guards who interest the Mavs are Golden State’s Jarrett Jack and Memphis’ Jerryd Bayless. Both players figured prominently in their teams’ runs in the current playoffs, and both will become free agents in July. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Free Agency, Jarrett Jack, Jerryd Bayless 

Now that the Los Angeles Clippers have refused to offer coach Vinny Del Negro a new contract, a source said Wednesday that the Dallas Mavericks believe they have a better chance of acquiring Dwight Howard than acquiring Chris Paul. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

“I think Chris Paul, depending on who [the Clippers] hire, is going to stay with the Clippers,” the source said. “The Mavericks are really interested in Chris Paul, but I think they want Dwight more. They think they can make them a point guard.” The source said two point guards who interest the Mavs are Golden State’s Jarrett Jack and Memphis’ Jerryd Bayless. Both players figured prominently in their teams’ runs in the current playoffs, and both will become free agents in July. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

It was All-Star Weekend in Houston when Dwight Howard and Chris Paul – the two prize members of the NBA free-agent class — among others were in town. The perfect time for the Rockets’ star James Harden to add recruiter to his repertoire. “I’ve built some friendships these last couple years, this summer and throughout the time playing,” Harden told the Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen. “They know what kind of person I am, how hard-working I am, knowing I want to win. I hope that becomes a factor of wanting to come to Houston and trying to win championships.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, James Harden 

Asked who has received his initial recruiting attention, Harden smiled broadly and said, “A couple guys.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, James Harden 

You said you were optimistic in your exit interview that Howard will come back. Do you still feel that way? Mitch Kupchak: I’m optimistic. Los Angeles Daily News

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak, Dwight Howard 

A source familiar with Howard's thinking says he plans to test free agency and has considered the Lakers, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and Golden State. Long Beach Press-Telegram

Atlanta Hawks, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

Nothing remains binding, though. The source added Howard's main concern involves "what team he feels has the best chance to win championships, has the best team and system around him." The source also stressed Howard has not and will not ask the Lakers to make any moves on his behalf. Long Beach Press-Telegram

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

Knicks rookie point guard Pablo Prigioni said on Argentine radio Wednesday his preference is to remain in the NBA next season rather than return to the Spanish League and his wife is OK with it. “If I can choose, I prefer to play in the United States and stay in the NBA,’’ Prigioni said. New York Post

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Spain, Pablo Prigioni 

Prigioni’s agent, George Bass, is expected to seek a one-year deal worth about $2 million. The Knicks could include Prigioni in a sign-and-trade and receive back a trade exception. There’s a possibility San Antonio will have interest because Prigioni is close friends with fellow countryman Manu Ginobili. New York Post

New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Free Agency, Spain, Pablo Prigioni 

In recent months, Harden made it clear that he was planning to recruit free agents this summer. Now, with free agency still roughly six weeks away, he’s already starting to call and text some potential targets for Houston to sell them on the city, situation and future. Most free agents, including Howard, are big fans of Harden’s game and have a lot of respect for the up-and-coming shooting guard. On Wednesday afternoon, Harden confirmed via his Twitter account that he has been recruiting some players. HoopsWorld

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Free Agent 

In this edition of the new video series LBTV, Packers hall of famer LeRoy Butler talks with former Milwaukee Bucks GM Larry Harris, now a consultant with the Golden State Warriors, about the NBA draft process, Andrew Bogut, coaching searches, player contracts, free agency and and more. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Draft, Andrew Bogut, Larry Harris 

The Dallas Mavericks, with their first lottery draft pick in a dozen years firmly in hand, have their eyes on a bigger prize. Multiple sources have told ESPN.com's Chad Ford the Mavs are likely to shop the pick in hopes of creating the cap space necessary to make a run at Dwight Howard in free agency. The 13th overall pick has a cap hold of $1,655,300. ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Draft, Trade, Dwight Howard 

The hope is to sell Howard or Chris Paul -- who would each have to sacrifice a fifth year on the max contract that he could get from the Lakers and Clippers, respectively -- on the possibility of building a championship contender. "We'd love to get one of the main guys," Nowitzki said last week. "It's going to be tough to get them out of the situation that they're in. I think that's pretty easy [to see]. I think both are in L.A., where you want to play basketball, and both are in great positions and situations. We'll just have to wait and see." ESPN.com

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Draft, Trade, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

This year’s field, which may actually feature a number of solid role players if not franchise changers, is particularly fluid. Ainge will draft the best player available instead of attempting to fill a need. He could use a rebounder, scorer and even a backup point guard — that last position a concern now that Terrence Williams is in legal trouble, thus clouding his Celtics future. Boston Herald

Boston Celtics, Free Agency, Draft, Terrence Williams 

A league source says Chris Paul will check out other teams, as Howard is expected to do. If Paul leaves, it could could pose a problem for the Lakers, who had enough already, if he and Dwight Howard decide to create a new option, joining up in Atlanta. Howard and Paul are pals. The Hawks can open up two maximum slots. They mused about Atlanta (D12’s from there, CP3 from North Carolina) years ago, before fate led them in other directions. Lakers Nation

Atlanta Hawks, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Grunwald confirmed the Knicks are unable to do a sign-and-trade for free agents Chris Paul or Dwight Howard because of new collective bargaining agreement rules forbidding luxury taxpayers from partaking in free agency. They only have the $3.1 million mini-midlevel exception, plus the 24th overall pick in June’s draft. New York Post

New York Knicks, Free Agency, Trade, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard 

Chad Ford: Hearing from multiple sources that Mavs likely to trade the No. 13 pick. Want to save cap space for Dwight Howard run ... Twitter @chadfordinsider

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Draft, Trade, Dwight Howard 

Kevin Ding: Talked to Mitch Kupchak about his private exit meeting with Dwight Howard. Mitch: "There was no discussion of the coach whatsoever." #lakers Twitter @KevinDing

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Mitch Kupchak, Mike D'Antoni, Dwight Howard 

The Lakers have a Dwight Howard crisis on their hands and are facing a summer that may wind up even more disappointing than their underachieving season. The big man who so badly wanted to be there, who pushed his way out of small-market Orlando in order to shine under the brightest of lights in the biggest of markets, is having second thoughts again as his free agency looms. USA Today Sports

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard