New York Knicks Reacquire Ray Felton

The deal to reacquire (Ray) Felton — who played 54 games for the Knicks in 2010-11 — was taken by many as an indication that the Knicks would let (Jeremy) Lin depart, despite his wild success on the court last season and his global marketability.

Felton will receive a three-year, $10 million contract in a sign-and-trade deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to a person briefed on the details. The Knicks will also receive Kurt Thomas, another former Knick, in the deal. In exchange, Portland will receive Jared Jeffries (in a sign-and-trade arrangement), plus the nonguaranteed contract of Dan Gadzuric, the Knicks’ second-round draft pick in 2016 and the rights to two overseas players.

Cavs Could Land Bynum in Deal

The Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers have discussed a three-team deal that would send disgruntled superstar Dwight Howard to Los Angeles, according to sources close to the situation. The three teams have discussed a number of scenarios. While no trade is imminent, the talks are ongoing.

One scenario would send Howard to Los Angeles, Andrew Bynum to Cleveland and a package of picks and prospects to Orlando, according to sources.

The Lakers would land Howard, who they have been aggressively pursuing for quite some time.

The Cavaliers would acquire a second star to put alongside Kyrie Irving, one that they should be able to keep long-term since Cleveland has been mentioned as a team that Bynum will consider signing an extension with.

Suns Acquire Luis Scola

The Phoenix Suns have won the amnesty auction for former Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola, according to sources with knowledge of the auction outcome.

The NBA’s 30 teams were notified shortly after 5 p.m. ET on Sunday that the Suns won the blind bidding for Scola, which requires interested teams under the salary cap to bid no less than $3 million for this season and $10-plus million for the next three seasons.

NASH A LAKER

Sometimes when you hear things. You think that just works and will work. Nash in LA is a perfect fit. That is all they needed. All they needed was a point guard. Everyone knew it. Ramon Session was a back up in Cleveland. Came to LA and they were partying. And Derek Fisher? I don't get that guy! I do not think there is a better point to have running the Lake show. There are better point guards out there, but I think he is the best fit for that team.That being said. I am glad as heck that he is off the Suns. I live in the Phoenix area and he was not a good fit here. Very happy to see him leave. The Suns need to blow it up, go young and develop younger guys. Nash is perfect as a third or fourth option. He cannot be a number one option. But there is no other guard I would want if I had a Kobe, Gasol, and Bynum. Steve is gona help Pau Gasol and Bynum the most. He is gona help Kobe too but in a different way. Kobe is just gona have a lot less stress. He is gone be more relaxed and not feel pressure to carry the team and lead the team. I think now he can just play. And Gasol is gona love him. The whole team will. Whoever is open will love him. Even if they don't think they are open. I would make them the favorite to win it all next year. I know Vegas does not agree with that. And I would not trade Andrew Bynum for Dwight Howard. I am not a big Howard fan. Plus if you bring in Howard you might get a different Kobe.

Agent: Celtics Want Green to Return

He’s been largely out of sight, but Jeff Green hasn’t been out of the Celtics’ mind — and the affection has been returned.

So tomorrow, the two sides will officially begin the task of getting Green back in green.

The key acquisition in the 2011 Kendrick Perkins trade played 26 games that season. He was set to return this past year, but during a physical after agreeing to a new contract, Green was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm and had surgery in January. The contract was voided and he was allowed to become an unrestricted free agent.

Now Green is again working out and he wants to get things worked out here.

“He’s doing great,” said his agent, David Falk. “He’s been cleared 100 percent and he’s healthy.

“Obviously the Celtics want him back, and we’ll talk about that on July 1,” he added, referring to the date on which clubs can begin negotiating with free agents.

via Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald

Sources: Mayo Won’t Lack for Suitors

The Memphis Grizzlies chose not to extend a qualifying offer to (O.J.) Mayo on Friday, which means the 24-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent tonight. This was somewhat of a surprise since Memphis had multiple opportunities to trade Mayo last season, but decided to hold onto him. Now, Mayo has likely played his final game as a member of the Grizzlies and he’ll attract interest from a number of teams. There are plenty of executives around the league who love Mayo’s potential and believe he could be a very good player if put in the right situation. The Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers are among the teams expected to pursue Mayo, according to sources close to the situation.

Pacers Plan to Pursue Roy, Mayo?

Kevin) Pritchard plans to work the phones in an attempt to add another big man and scorer on the wing. Guards Brandon Roy and O.J. Mayo are two wings players the Pacers plan to pursue. Jamal Crawford could also be a possibility.

Roy, a former All Star, retired last season because of knee problems but he’s attempting a comeback. He and Pritchard were together in Portland.

Mayo became an unrestricted free agent Friday when the Memphis Grizzlies did not tender a qualifying offer to him. Former Pacers president Larry Bird tried on several occasions to trade for Mayo in the past.

via Mike Wells of the Indianapolis Star