NBA News Roundup, Tuesday, June 18th: Lakers among five teams interested in Patrick Beverley, Mike Conley could head to the Utah Jazz and more

The 2019 offseason is quickly approaching and it is gearing up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. The upcoming free agent class is perhaps the best in NBA history, as the likes of Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant will all be up for grabs.

Teams such as the Lakers, Thunder, and Rockets are also attempting to make big moves as they look to build a roster that can compete during the 2019/20 season. So, here are all the latest NBA rumors you need to know for June 18th:

LaMelo Ball signs with the Illawarra Hawks of the NBL

LaMelo Ball is heading to Australia to play with the Hawks

LaMelo Ball has announced that he is heading to the National Basketball League. Regarding his decision to head to Australia for a year ahead of the 2020 draft, Ball told ESPN:

My agents did a ton of research on the options I had to play this coming season, and Australia really made sense for me. They have a really strong league, with excellent coaches and great players, including former and future NBA players, and great strength and conditioning programs.

My goal is to be the top pick in next year's draft, and I feel they can help me reach that goal. Also, the timing of the season works well with the timing of next year's draft. I am really looking forward to playing professionally this season, so that I can focus all of my time and energy on basketball.

LaMelo's older brother Lonzo was the number two pick in the 2017 draft, while LaMelo himself is a highly rated prospect and is expected to be a first-round pick next summer. The teenager has already spent four months abroad in Lithuania with BC Vytautas.

Patrick Beverley to meet with multiple teams including the Lakers

Patrick Beverley enjoyed a strong season with the Los Angeles Clippers

The 18-19 season was among the best of Patrick Beverley's career, and Sean Deveney of Sporting News is reporting that the 30-year-old is attracting plenty of interest ahead of free agency:

Patrick Beverley--a sensible FA target of the Bulls and Lakers--will be taking meetings with as many as 5 teams BEFORE meeting with the Clippers in 2 weeks. Clippers will be chasing max-type FAs, but Beverley won't necessarily wait on an offer from them.

Interesting to note about the Lakers potential interest in free-agent Patrick Beverley. It would be very tough for Clippers owner Steve Ballmer to lose Beverley to his Staples Center rival.

Beverley has thrived in the NBA as a low-usage guard, and the veteran is a career 38 percent 3-point shooter. He earned just $5 million last season, and potential suitors will view him as a much cheaper alternative to the summer's top free agents such as Kyrie Irving.

Utah Jazz are the favorites to sign Mike Conley

Mike Conley has spent his entire career with the Memphis Grizzlies

Mike Conley has spent more than a decade with the Grizzlies, although the franchise is set to replace the veteran with Ja Morant. This leaves Memphis wanting to trade away Conley's expensive contract, and The Athletic’s Shams Charania is reporting that the Jazz are the frontrunners to sign the 31-year-old:

The Grizzlies are intensifying talks to potentially move franchise cornerstone Mike Conley Jr., league sources told The Athletic. Memphis has been in conversations with the Jazz and Utah is a frontrunner to acquire Conley should the Grizzlies trade the point guard during draft week, league sources said.

Conley is owed $32.5 million in 19-20 and a further $34.5 for the 20-21 season. During the previous campaign, the veteran averaged a career high of 21.1 points and also 6.4 assists per contest.