The NBA free agent market has Josh Smith, Andre Miller, Carlos Boozer, Alexey Shved and Amar'e Stoudemire available and teams like the LA Lakers, NY Knicks, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Clippers could be interested in signing some of those names this summer.
Smith is one of the top names left on the market after DeAndre Jordan signed and he has had interest from the Rockets, Kings and Clippers this offseason. According to the NY Daily News, the Knicks could look at Smith as an option, but no deal is close right now. Smith may return to the Rockets after the team signed back Corey Brewer and Patrick Beverley, while the Kings have shown interest in Smith as well. The Knicks also could be in the mix if Smith doesn't ask for too much money, while the Clippers showed interest before signing back DeAndre Jordan.
The Lakers could have interest in Smith, but after bringing in Lou Williams and trading for Roy Hibbert, they likely will not go after him. The Knicks have been active in free agency with Robin Lopez, Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams and they could look at Shved as an option after acquiring him last season. The New York Post reports that Phil Jackson "would like to re-sign" Shved, but the team may have some competition for him on the market.
Carlos Boozer remains on the market with Smith as another notable forward and he has had reported interest from the Pelicans, Clippers, Mavericks and Raptors. According to Chris Broussard at ESPN, Boozer could be an option for the Mavericks after Jordan re-signed with the Clippers. Boozer averaged 11 points and seven rebounds last season and he reportedly could be an option for the Clippers, as he has "mutual interest" in signing with the team. The Jordan move could change that and could thrust the Mavs into the mix to make a deal.
Check here for more on Boozer, Shved, Smith and the Knicks interests and for more on NBA free agency.
The Post reports that the Knicks are considering giving Shved their "$2.8 million room exception" but the team is also looking at other free agent options. The report says that the Knicks are also looking into Willie Green and Caron Butler as options for the bench. Shved played well during his stint with the Knicks and the team could bring him in despite having Jerian Grant, Langston Galloway and Jose Calderon along with Ricky Ledo. The Lakers have been active in free agency and they could add some smaller pieces after bringing in Lou Williams and trading for Roy Hibbert. The Knicks need to finish off their bench and a player like Shved could be a fit.
If Ledo plays well in the summer league along with Grant, Shved may not get signed. But the Knicks also could look at Shved as a worthy option as insurance for Calderon, as he was mentioned in trade rumors last season and the point guard has dealt with injuries in the past. Wayne Ellington has agreed to a deal with the Nets and it comes after he was a potential target for the Knicks and Raptors.