HoopsHype.com Rumors

David 'Dubi' Pick: 6-8 forward Drew Viney raised some brows after strong Vegas showings with Miami. Now, set to join LAL for SL, says agent @Daniel Moldovan. Twitter @IAmDPick

Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Drew Viney 

Despite interest from his home-town team, the Hawks, sources have repeatedly said Howard, like many players, are wary of the demands and distractions of playing where they grew up. The Warriors and Rockets also were not on Howard's list at that time. The three teams that were: Brooklyn, Dallas and the Lakers. Since then, several sources have said, Howard has softened on his position regarding the Rockets but there's been no indication anything has changed regarding the Warriors or Hawks. Sulia

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

David Baumann: Forbes writer @NittiGrittyTax just told us Dwight Howard would actually make $8M MORE in HOU or DAL than in LA over 4-year contract.#TAXES Twitter @DavidBaumann33

Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

Source: Report that Lakers' center and pending free agent Dwight Howard has composed a list of preferred teams is "premature." The reported list: Lakers, Rockets, Mavericks, Hawks and Warriors. Sulia

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

Asked specifically about the Warriors being one of the teams Howard would be willing to join, the source said the only connection between the player and team was when the Warriors expressed interest in Howard after he made it clear he wanted out of Orlando a year ago. Sulia

Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard 

Evans said he would wait to see how things changed before deciding his future with the Kings. The Kings could control it by making him a restricted free agent. Until then, Evans said he’s “happy” to still be a King. Sulia

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Tyreke Evans 

He's the prototypical energy-and-effort guy off the bench, which is what Heat coach Erik Spoelstra was convinced his team needed. So he pestered Heat president Pat Riley for years about trying to bring Andersen — who worked out for the club as a non-drafted, non-tattooed free agent a decade or so ago — into the mix. "He's one of a kind," Heat forward Shane Battier said. "I've never had a teammate like him. But he's a great teammate." FOXnews.com

Miami Heat, Free Agency, Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra, Shane Battier 

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