HoopsHype.com Rumors

A source confirmed reports that the Heat has expressed interest in free agent forward Kenyon Martin and free agent center Joel Przybilla, as a means of fortifying its frontcourt. Martin, a former Nugget, cut short his tenure in China, and cannot play until his team there is finished, sometime in March. Przybilla, who played 36 games for Portland and Charlotte last season, is a shot-blocker. Both are expected to pick teams by the weekend. Palm Beach Post

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Joel Przybilla 

Veteran big man Joel Przybilla is nearing a decision on where he will resume his playing career, according to his agent Bill Duffy. The Tribune reported the Bulls' interest in Przybilla in early December. They also have had conversations with other reserve big man possibilities like Leon Powe, a league source said. Duffy said the Heat also has offered Przybilla a contract, and the Sporting News reported Przybilla's choice will come this week. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

The Miami Heat, interested in any and all veteran big men who become available on the market, are in the race for two such players that could make their decisions by the end of the week. The Heat have offered contracts to both Joel Przybilla and Kenyon Martin, their agents told ESPN.com. Przybilla is expected to make a choice between the Chicago Bulls and Heat, according to agent Bill Duffy. Martin is interested in several teams, with the Heat in the mix, according to agent Andy Miller. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Kenyon Martin, Joel Przybilla 

The Sporting News reported Wednesday that Przybilla is planning to make a choice by the end of the week. ESPN.com

Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Word here tonight in Milwaukee is area resident Joel Przybilla is leaning toward signing with Heat, with choice down to Heat or Bulls. Sulia

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Sean Deveney: Agent Bill Duffy also said that Joel Przybilla will choose between the #Heat and #Bulls by week's end. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Sean Deveney: For Przybilla, the proximity of Chicago to his family in Wisconsin will, "have no effect," on his Bulls-Heat choice. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

This could pave the way for the Bulls to add a reserve big man, which general manager Gar Forman has alluded to as far back as training camp. Leon Powe and Joel Przybilla are two players with whom the Bulls have had conversations to bolster a frontcourt which currently has Luol Deng out. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla, Leon Powe, Gar Forman 

Larry Miller reportedly said that you have been in talks with Joel Przybilla about a possible return. Chad Buchanan: "I stay in touch with Joel quite a bit because he's a close friend. We're at 15 contracts right now. I'm just keeping up to date with where he's at with things, if he desires to play again or not, but mostly just from a friendship standpoint of talking to him a lot." Nothing imminent or close to imminent? Chad Buchanan: "Nothing imminent. Nope, nothing at all." Blazers Edge

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Jason Quick: Texted with former Blazers center Joel Przybilla this morning. The most important message from him: "I'm starting to miss it." Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Jason Quick: I asked Przybilla if he was in shape. "Very close" he replied. Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Jason Quick: Przybilla clarified that he is not sick of the Blazers calling him. He's sick of answering the same question about whether he will return Twitter

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Last week, a close friend of Przybilla — one who took him to the airport after he got traded — said Przybilla is tired of getting calls from the Blazers, and me, asking if he is going to return. I’ve stopped calling. The Blazers have not. And if this experiment with a small lineup doesn’t work, expect those friendly calls from Buchanan to start becoming more business related. “We are always looking for ways to improve our team,’’ Buchanan said Friday. “If there’s somebody out there who we feel can help us, shame on us for not looking at him.’’ Oregonian

Portland Trail Blazers, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

The Lakers have a full 15-man roster at the moment and would need to release a player to add one of the veteran free agents on the market. Accomplished NBA contributors Gilbert Arenas and Joel Przybilla are still without a team and Yahoo! Sports reported Rasheed Wallace is considering coming out of retirement to sign somewhere. "We don't expect to sign anybody any time soon," Kupchak said. ESPN.com

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Rasheed Wallace, Mitch Kupchak, Gilbert Arenas, Joel Przybilla 

With Brown out, Andris Biedrins is the only true center on the roster. Warriors management is already working the phones trying to land a big man. According to multiple sources, the Warriors had Joel Przybilla on their list. But Przybilla, an 11-year veteran defensive specialist who last played for Portland, has been ruled out because he's seeking to play for a title contender. Contra Costa Times

Golden State Warriors, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Consider the Clippers one of the many teams hoping to sign Joel Przybilla. The Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks also have expressed interested in the 7-foot-1, 245-pound free-agent center. Przybilla's agent, Bill Duffy, confirmed Wednesday that the Clippers have interest in his client. Przybilla played in just 38 games last season because of knee injuries. "He's feeling healthy," Duffy said. Los Angeles Times

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla, Bill Duffy 

The Clippers just signed free-agent center Reggie Evans last week, but have two spots available because they have only 13 players on their roster. The Clippers feel Przybilla can give them another big body as a backup. They still have the "mini mid-level" exception of $2.5 million and a $3.8-million trade exception from the Chris Paul deal involving New Orleans. Duffy said Przybilla is not in a rush to sign with a team. "I think he's going to wait and see what's going on," Duffy said. "I think he'll get that urgency. I expect to him to call me." Los Angeles Times

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla, Bill Duffy 

Marc Stein: Add Mavs to Joel Przybilla suitors. Never off list, really. Chased Przybilla before signing Sean Williams and yes, I'm told, still after him Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Chris Mannix: Clips, Heat, Mavs have expressed interest in Joel Pryzbilla, sources confirm. However Pryzbilla has given no indication he wants to play yet Twitter

Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla 

Przybilla, 31, is drawing interest from several teams, according to Duffy. While Duffy wouldn't reveal those teams, league sources said Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers are among them. Racine Journal-Times

Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Free Agency, Joel Przybilla