Rumor Roundup: Millsap, Rondo, Cavs
The Hawks are beginning to listen to trade offers for forward Paul Millsap, per ESPN.
According to the website: "Sources told ESPN.com that the Hawks, fearful of losing Millsap in free agency without compensation in the summer, are not openly shopping him but are taking calls on the 31-year-old and other pending free agents, notably sharpshooter Kyle Korver and swingman Thabo Sefolosha."
The Nuggets and Raptors are two teams that could make a play for Millsap, ESPN reported.
Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo will ask for a trade if he continues to be benched, per the Chicago Tribune. The Cavaliers would not be interested, sources have told Amico Hoops.
Per CSN Chicago: "A source told CSNChicago.com early Saturday evening a buyout (involving Rondo) hadn’t been discussed, but that was before the game and things can change quickly."
Per Cleveland.com: "I expect (Cedi) Osman, acquired by the Cavs during the 2015 draft and currently playing in Turkey, to be included in one of the deals in the coming days/weeks."
The Knicks are likely to strongly pursue point guard Jrue Holiday (Pelicans) this summer in free agency, sources tell Amico Hoops.
Free agent forward Donatas Motiejunas (Rockets) is expected to sign a one-year contract for the veteran's minimum with the Pelicans, per the Houston Chronicle.
According to the newspaper: "Though Motiejunas and the Rockets had agreed to a contract similar to the offer sheet he had signed with the Brooklyn Nets, according to a person familiar with the process, Motiejunas had reached the point he preferred to move on and the Rockets agreed it would be better to allow him to become an unrestricted free agent."
Per the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Montiejunas visited the Timberwolves, but the Pelicans signed him first. "His agent cancelled and we never got a chance to sit down with him," Wolves coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters.
Per ESPN: "ESPN reported earlier this week that the Los Angeles Lakers had flown Motiejunas in for a recent audition in front of Los Angeles' front office and coaches, while sources said Sunday that the Minnesota Timberwolves had also expressed some interest."
The Pelicans have waived shooting guard Reggie Williams, per the team.
Free agent guard Lance Stephenson (Pelicans) could be ready for an NBA return by mid-January after a groin tear, Stephenson's agent tells ESPN.
Kings rookie shooting guard Malachi Richardson is expected to see an increased role, per CSN Bay Area.
Here are the most recent D-League assignments and call-ups, per Hoops Rumors.
The Heat are looking to deal point guard Goran Dragic, but should be patient, per a column from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Per the Philadelphia Inquirer: "When he was asked this weekend about the possibility of re-signing with the Sixers, Ersan Ilyasova gave the impression that he wants to be more than a stopgap player. The 6-foot-10 power forward will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. 'I like the team,' said Ilyasova, 29, a ninth-year veteran. 'I like the way we play. I see a bright future with this team.'"
Former North Carolina power forward Deon Thompson has agreed to a contract with Crvena Zvezda of Serbia, per Amico Hoops.
Former NBA and D-League guard Orien Greene has signed with Guaros of Venezuela, per Amico Hoops.
Ex-Buffalo guard Joshua Freelove has signed with Albanian club Vllaznia, per Amico Hoops.
Former South Carolina guard Tyrone Johnson has agreed to a contract with Al Shamal of Qatar, per Amico Hoops.
Ex-Tennessee forward Dominic Woodson has signed with the Rochester RazorSharks of the Premier Basketball League, per Amico Hoops.
Former Nebraska center Kimani Ffriend has agreed to a contract with Dynamic BG Beograd of Serbia, per Amico Hoops.
The difference experience makes: Cleveland, Golden State and San Antonio are a combined 72-3 this season after taking a double-digit lead.
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