With Tracy McGrady having signed to play in China earlier this week, our list of 2012/13 unrestricted free agents continues to grow more and more sparse. Still, there are surprising names on there, such as Kenyon Martin, Leandro Barbosa, Mickael Pietrus, and Michael Redd. We don't have any new updates on those four, but here's the latest on a few of the other notable names on the market:
- Derek Fisher: Kobe Bryant tells Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com (Twitter link) that he's confident his longtime teammate will find an NBA home soon, since "every team needs a guard like him." Fisher had been working out with the Lakers this fall, but can't re-sign with Los Angeles at this point, since the team traded him in March. There was speculation that the Celtics could kick the tires following Keyon Dooling's retirement, but there doesn't appear to be anything concrete there.
- Josh Howard: While Jared Zwerling of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that Howard should be on a roster before opening night, it's a little surprising he's still out there at all. We've heard rumblings that Howard was closing in on a decision since late July, after all. I wouldn't rule out the Sixers, who were said to be eyeing Howard last month and currently appear to have camp invitees Dan Gadzuric, Damien Wilkins, and Devin Searcy fighting for the final two roster spots.
- Chris Andersen: Within the previously-linked Zwerling tweet, the ESPNNY scribe adds that the Birdman should find a suitor by opening night as well, though it's unclear where he'll land. Andersen seems to have been willing to sign with a number of teams earlier in the offseason, but the Timberwolves, Heat, and Knicks all failed to reciprocate his interest. An August report suggesting the big man had offers of up to $5MM annually seems a little outrageous now, but perhaps there would still be modest offers available overseas.
- Maurice Evans: Another player Zwerling expects to sign with a team this month, Evans wants to continue his playing career despite receiving interest from the Wizards in a front office capacity. Last week, we heard that teams would likely evaluate what they have in camp before moving on someone like Evans, so perhaps a club disappointed with its camp invitees will turn to the veteran wing within the next few weeks.