The NBA free agency period has started up as of Monday and with Chris Paul already off the market, teams have turned their attentions elsewhere, including with big names like Brandon Jennings, Tyreke Evans, Kevin Martin, Monta Ellis, Kyle Korver and Andrea Bargnani, who is reportedly going to the Knicks in a trade.
The Raptors have been trying to get rid of the contract all season and now it appears the Knicks are willing and are putting Steve Novak and Marcus Camby in a deal to Toronto that should give them salary relief. Bargnani was a former number one draft pick but he never turned into a superstar and now he will try to get his career back on tract in NY.
The Knicks reportedly wanted Bargnani last year and now they have the chance to get him and playing with Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler could take some pressure off. The Knicks are trying to match what the Nets and Celtics did last week, as they brought Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce over in a trade after the Clippers deal didn't work out. Dwight Howard has been the center of attention for the Rockets and the team has said they basically will do anything to get him, which is why they traded Thomas Robinson.
The Lakers want to keep him, but he will meet with the Rockets, Mavs and Hawks as well as the Warriors and although the Lakers can offer the most money, he probably will be leaving LA. The Blazers acquired Robinson from the Rockets for Kostas Papanikolau and Marko Todorovic and now they have a better chance to go after Howard, while the Mavs will also make a push with Mark Cuban. LaMarcus Aldridge said he is not demanding a trade, but the Blazers have shopped him to numerous teams.
Brandon Jennings appears ready to sign back with the Busk and there is a good chance that they will go after Monta Ellis as well. The team wants to bring back Monta Ellis and J.J. Redick but they may not have the money and the Pelicans have reportedly met with Tyreke Evans despite him being a restricted free agent.
"When a team meets with a free agent right after midnight," said one source close to the process, "you know they're serious about the guy."