NBA Free Agency Updates: Boris Diaw Returns Home

Mar 20, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Spencer Hawes (32) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) in the first quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

More names are coming off the board in NBA free agency while the big fish continue to mull.  What are the latest updates?

San Antonio Spurs complete key objective with Diaw retention

The world champions did their thing again.  After wiping out the Heat in the Finals, the San Antonio Spurs stated their key objectives were to retain Finals heroes Patty Mills and Boris Diaw.  Having already re-signed Mills to a three-year deal, Diaw was the only goal left.  That too came to pass when he accepted his own three-year contract worth $22 million.  It keep the key components of the lineup that stampeded Miami intact and giving them the best possible shot at that long elusive repeat of the Duncan-Popovich era.

Carmelo Anthony derby now too close to call

Everybody seemed so sure about what Carmelo Anthony was going to do when NBA free agency started.  Then they were sure a few days ago about something new.  Then they were sure again yesterday.  He’s returning to the Knicks.  He’s going to Los Angeles.  Chicago will add him to their core.  What is true and what isn’t?  The fact of the matter is that there is no credible information regarding exactly what Anthony plans to do.  There are only rumors and speculation fed by “sources.”  The fact of the matter is the Melo derby is now too class to call.  Three teams have an equal shot at the 30-year old All-Star and none of them have a decisive advantage.  That should make his pending decision that much more entertaining when it comes.

Clippers hopeful Spencer Hawes can help them from deep

Expectations are reaching an apex for the Los Angeles Clippers.  They have what many see as a championship-caliber core with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.  Doc Rivers is now on the bench bringing his many accolades.  If this group is going to win a title they need to fill every hole on the roster they can, and a big one is 3-point shooting.  They have gotten a big boost by nabbing center Spencer Hawes in NBA free agency, who not only gives them a quality big on the bench, but also 41.6% shooting from behind the arc.  It’s not a blockbuster move, but it may be one more piece to the championship puzzle.

LeBron James likely set between Miami and Cleveland

The only person who knows what LeBron James is planning for free agency is James himself.  To this point all anybody knows for sure is the King is reaching out to any teams that can afford to offer him a max contract.  Certainly the Miami Heat remain a favorite to bring him back, while the L.A. Lakers linger in the background as a dark horse.  However, the only other team that probably has the best chance to land James is the one he spurned for South Beach four years ago, his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers.  They not only have the money to pay him, but also an intriguing core developing around All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving and rookie 1st round pick Andrew Wiggin.  One of the big regrets James has left in his career is not bring Cleveland a title.  Would he now be willing to spurn the Heat to give that one more try?