NBA Rumors and News for October 17, 2013

Thursday, October 17

Daily Trivia: Who holds the record for most turnovers in an NBA Finals? Answer below.

Anthony will opt out, but wants to stay with Knicks
Posted at 06:31 PM ET
Carmelo Anthony said he will opt out of his contract after the season and become a free agent, but he doesn’t want to leave the New York Knicks, reports Al Iannazzone of Long Island Newsday. This shouldn’t be too surprising as many suspected Anthony would become a free agent at the end of the season. “This is something that when that time comes during the offseason I will definitely explore. Does that mean I’m not coming back to New York, not at all,” Anthony said on Thursday. The Knicks can start negotiating with Anthony on an extension in February, in which he could get two years and about $50 million total tacked on to the $23.3 million owed him for next season. But he can make the most money by opting out. The Knicks can sign Anthony to a maximum five-year deal worth roughly $129 million. The most any other team can give him in free agency is four years and about $96 million. The 2014 free agency class is filled with talent as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Rudy Gay, Tim Duncan and Chris Bosh are among other available players.

Wolves taking a look at Rip Hamilton
Posted at 11:25 AM ET
The Minnesota Timberwolves are taking a look at signing 14-year NBA veteran and current free agent Richard Hamilton, a league source told 1500ESPN.com contributor Darren Wolfson. Hamilton, who averaged 9.8 points and started 45 games for the Chicago Bulls last season, has ties to Wolves president of basketball operations Flip Saunders, having played under the former coach for three years with the Detroit Pistons (2005-08). The 35-year-old Hamilton would fit the Wolves’ desire to add depth on the wing, especially with swingman Chase Budinger out for at least the first month of the season after undergoing surgery Sept. 30 to remove a quarter of his left meniscus. Coach Rick Adelman said the Wolves have sorted through the possible scenarios at the wing is a major focus for the Wolves in the week ahead. “I think we need to keep looking at our wings and see who is going to play.”