NBA: Round-up of trades, waivers and contract extensions a night before free agency

The free agency kicks in officially on the 1st of July in the NBA welcoming another interesting summer to look forward to with players like Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all opting out of the contracts with their respective teams to become free agents. While the Miami Heat’s Big 3 are expected to re-sign with the Heat allowing their franchise more financial flexibility to retool for next season, it’s been Carmelo Anthony whose has been ruling the columns of the free agency market.With these four big names and many more to grab in the market, some teams are doing their bit to put themselves in the best position to lure any of these players.Meanwhile other teams who do not have the cap room to bring even one of these players to thier city are busy strengthening their position with small yet important moves.Here’s a round-up of the top 5 news one night before the free agency:

#5 Los Angeles Clippers waive guard Willie Green

The Los Angeles Clippers announced on Sunday that they had waived guard Willie Green. The team decided to let go off his contract before he was guaranteed to make 1.4 million dollars for next season.

Appearing in 55 games for the Clippers, Green averaged 5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 15.8 minutes of playing time. Although to many this might come as a move by the team to make cap room for the free agency in July, according to sources the team is interested and looking forward to re-signing him.

Despite having very little cap room to work with this summer, the Clippers are still named among the teams looking to make a run for James given his close relations with Chris Paul.

#4 Washington Wizards pick up Andre Miller $4.6 million option for next season

The Washington Wizards have made sure John Wall’s back-up point guard Andre Miller returns with the team next season by picking up the $4.6 million option on his contract.

Miller who was acquired by the Wizards during the mid-season trade deadline, averaged 3.8 points and 3.5 assists in his 28 game stint with the team this past season. At 38, Miller has proved to be a crucial contributor to the team’s relatively deep Playoff run this May.

Returning with the team for his 18th season in the league, Miller would look to make a similar impact with the second unit of the Wizards as he did this past season.

#3 Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors involved in post-draft trade

Reports suggest that Toronto Raptors have acquired Lou Williams and Lucas Nogueira in return for sending 34 year old John Salmons to the Atlanta Hawks.

Although Williams was a big success in Atlanta as a secondary point guard, the move allows Hawks to clear cap space up to 4.5 million dollars if they intend to buy,waiving off Salmons contract which would then guarantee him only 1 million of his 7 million salary for next season.

Meanwhile, Williams’ addition provides the Raptors with a solid combo guard who could either come off the bench for Kyle Lowry or be an excellent cover provided Lowry decides to become a free agent.

#2 Zach Randolph agrees to a contract extension with Memphis Grizzlies

On friday the former All-Star Zach Randolph agreed to a contract extension of two years and 20 million dollars with his current team the Memphis Grizzlies.

Getting better with age, Randolph’s stats from last season of 17 points and 10 rebounds make him only the third player in the last 15 seasons after Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal to put up such numbers at the age of 32.

The two year contract extension will begin from the 2015-16 season after he had opted in for his 16.5 million dollars for next seaosn.

Randolph’s performance this season carried the Grizzlies to 50 wins and a Playoff berth despite Marc Gasol’s injury early in the season.

#1 Houston Rockets decline Chandler Parsons fourth year option for next season

Post the June 30th deadline Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons will become a restriced free agent after his team declined taking the 4th year option on his contract that was to pay him 964,750 dollars.

Rockets, a franchise known to be aggressive during the free agency period were expected to clear cap space as that was their only limitation in luring the likes of Anthony and James however declining Parson’s option has nothing to with clearing cap room.

All that this move does is put the Rockets in complete control of Parson’s destination. Being a restricted free agent, any offer sheet which comes his way can be matched by Houston without any implications.

At the least, the Rockets could opt for a sign and trade with any team looking to bag Parsons however on the flip side, had Parsons played his final year with the team they would have lost him in free agency for no compensation.