Teams around the NBA are trying to fill out their rosters as the summer comes to a close and after names like Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Josh Smith signed to deals, that leaves a number of lower-tier players left on the market, including names like Jason Collins, Al Harrington and Daniel Gibson.
According to ESPN.com, the Detroit Pistons showed interest in signing Collins, who became the first NBA player to come out as gay while still active in the league. Although he did it as a free agent and at the end of his career, many felt that he would still get a job as an end of the bench veteran. The Pistons reportedly are interested in signing him, but other reports have said it is just interest and no contract deal is imminent. Collins made his announcement in April and the interest from the Pistons is the first that he has received publically since coming out.
The Pistons have totally remade their roster from last season and signed Josh Smith and traded for Brandon Jennings to add to a lineup that includes Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond. Collins could be a solid veteran to add to the roster and while he only averaged less than 2 points and 2 rebounds in 10.1 minutes per game with the Celtics and Wizards last season, he can provide depth and solid play at the end of games. The Pistons have one more open spot left on their roster and they feel that he could be a good influence on their young big men up front.
The 34-year-old said that he still feels that he can play in the league and many in the NBA said they felt he would get a job after coming out. The Pistons could be a nice fit for Collins, but so far things have not moved farther than the interest level. The Houston Rockets are reportedly interested in signing Stephen Jackson after he was released by the San Antonio Spurs last year and according to Hoops World, the Houston Rockets are interested in signing him.
Jackson played in 55 games last season with the Spurs, but he averaged averaging 6.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game before being released and he was not accurate from the field, shooting under 40 percent overall and under 30 percent from three. Jackson said that he was working out over the summer to get in shape to sign with a contender and the Rockets are looking to add depth on the roster. The team has already signed Howard as well as Omri Casspi and he would join a roster that includes Marcus Camby as well as Chandler Parsons and James Harden.
Tracy McGrady is deciding whether to return to the NBA or play in China again after averaging 25 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season. McGrady said that he liked playing in China and he will possibly return to the league, where he last played for the Hawks and averaged just 5.3 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in 52 games.
