NBA Free Agency 2016 Rumors: Timofey Mozgov garnering interest, Clippers pitching 'Big Four' and Thunder eyeing Al Horford

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The clock continues to tick, getting closer to the start of NBA free agency on July 1. Teams are lining up visits, preparing their pitches and putting the final touches on their off-season wish lists. 

It will be another wild summer, with the salary cap explosion leading to an abundance of gigantic free agency deals. 

Here are the latest rumors:

Teams showing interest in Timofey Mozgov

The Cavaliers’ most likely approach this off-season will be the same one they took last summer, focusing on their own players. As a taxpayer, with little money to spend and plenty already invested in their current core, the Cavs will have decisions to make on Matthew Dellavedova, J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov.

The towering center fell out of the rotation in the playoffs, but that hasn’t altered how he’s viewed around the league.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Cavs will have some competition from Houston, Miami, Golden State and San Antonio. USA Today reports the Lakers are also interested in Mozgov, who could command big money after making around $5 million this past season.

Thunder eyeing Al Horford

Oklahoma City is meeting with Kevin Durant on Thursday, giving their pitch to the free agent prize. The Thunder are still the most likely team to win the Durant sweepstakes, but it may take some roster tweaks to lure him back.

According to ESPN, Oklahoma City has visions of Al Horford reuniting with Thunder coach Billy Donovan. Horford would help the Thunder replace Serge Ibaka who was traded to Orlando last week. That should sit well with Durant. 

Durant’s meetings begin

The former MVP will have a busy weekend, with six meetings on his schedule — five of which will take place in The Hamptons. The pitches have started in Oklahoma City, with the Thunder getting the first shot.

Here’s video of Durant being greeted by Sam Presti and Troy Weaver from @keatonfox: https://t.co/Y3txgqRjXo

— Royce Young (@royceyoung) June 30, 2016

After chatting with the Thunder, Durant will meet with the Warriors and Clippers on Friday.

According to ESPN, Los Angeles is expected to pitch Durant on the possibility of a “Big Four” of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and Durant. This could also lay the foundation for a future meeting if Durant becomes a free agent again in 2017.

The Celtics will get a sit-down on Saturday while the Heat wrap up Durant’s schedule on Sunday.

However, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Thunder want one more meeting, an opportunity for the final conversation. 

Knicks the frontrunner for Noah?

An injury-riddled 2015-16 campaign hasn’t kept teams from pondering a big contract offer to Joakim Noah this off-season.

The Warriors were one team reportedly interested in the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year. According to the Washington Post and other media outlets, the New York Knicks could quickly snap up Noah for a contract worth around $18 million per year.

This deal would reunite Noah with former Chicago teammate Derrick Rose, giving the Knicks a replacement for Robin Lopez.

Raptors get first pitch to DeMar DeRozan

The chatter around free agent swingman DeMar DeRozan has quelled, especially after he helped lead the Toronto Raptors to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Would he really want to bolt after the most successful season in franchise history?

Teams will be ready to give the All-Star a max deal, but the Raptors will begin their full-court press on Day One, according to our Chris Haynes.

Toronto granted first meeting with DeMar DeRozan in LA on July 1, sources tell @clevelanddotcom. Miami, Dallas, Philly, Lakers could follow.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2016

Mavericks schedule meeting with Hassan Whiteside

Free agency was tough for the Mavericks last season, losing out on big man Jordan during a wild stretch. Then Richard Jefferson asked owner Mark Cuban to get out of his commitment so he could compete for a championship.

The Mavericks won’t be deterred by past failures and are expected to be aggressive in their pursuit of numerous players.

Center Hassan Whiteside is at the top of the list. In a Miami radio interview Wednesday, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said Dallas will be getting the first meeting with Whiteside on July 1 and will “absolutely” offer the defensive-minded center a max contract.

Plenty of interest in Mike Conley Jr.

Whiteside isn’t the only Mavericks’ target. Dallas is also expected to meet with point guard Mike Conley Jr. While it has been assumed Conley will stay in Memphis where he has spent all nine years of his career, the Mavericks will get an early meeting on July 1, which could be a promising sign.

ESPN’s Chris Broussard reports Houston, New Orleans, Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers have also shown interest in Conley, who is expected to chat with Memphis after meeting with other teams.

Kent Bazemore will have numerous options

While many other free agents will be meeting with teams early in the process, Kent Bazemore will wait until after the holiday weekend to begin his sit-downs.

Early indications are that increasingly coveted Hawks swingman Kent Bazemore will start holding his free agency meetings AFTER July 4

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) June 30, 2016

Bazemore, whose role has grown since leaving Golden State, will have plenty of suitors. ESPN reports Milwaukee, Memphis and Brooklyn have shown interest. Sheridan Hoops adds that New Orleans, Atlanta, Houston and Orlando will also be in the mix. 

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NBA Free Agency 2016 Rumors: Timofey Mozgov garnering interest, Clippers pitching "Big Four" and Thunder eyeing Al Horford