As the San Antonio Spurs began training camp yesterday, the team still hasn’t officially waived veteran forward Richard Jefferson as they were 
reported to have been in pursuit of doing. The amnesty of Jefferson could still be possible, though he would need a replacement first.
The rumored preferred option of the Spurs was forward Caron Butler who decided to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday. Their second option is free agent Josh Howard who has yet to sign with anyone, though he met with the Utah Jazz yesterday.
According to Michael Lee of the Washington Post, the Jazz have made an offer to Howard though his decision isn’t expected until this coming week.
Howard is considering a “solid offer” from the Utah Jazz, according to a person with knowledge of the negotiations. Howard isn’t expected to make a decision until early next week. The Wizards, San Antonio, Chicago, New Jersey and Denver have also expressed interest in signing Howard and the person said Howard expects to receive more offers soon.
One other player the Spurs were reported be interested in was Phoenix Suns’ Vince Carter. Since being waved by the Suns however, Carter has agreed to sign with the defending champion Dallas Mavericks and is expected to arrive in Dallas tomorrow.
The Spurs were also rumored to have free agents Bostjan Nachbar and Marice Evans on their radar. Nachbar worked out (H/T Hoops Hype) for the New York Knicks on Tuesday but nothing further progressed between the two sides. Nachbar did indicate that he’d like to play for a contender.
“I think it makes most sense to bring a player like me into a team that is playing for a goal and they know exactly what they get when they sign me. A team that is trying to win something.”
Evans last said he is “weighing his options” on Thursday according to Lee of the Washington Post. In his post today, Lee said Evans will met with an undisclosed team and will make a decision in the next 48 hours.
Evans met with an undisclosed team on Friday and plans to make a decision in the next day or two.
As the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Hornets have resubmitted their blockbuster trade to send Chris Paul to the Lakers, Pau Gasol to the Rockets, and Lamar Odom, Kevin Martin, and Luis Scola to the Hornets; there’s a possibility that Odom could be put on the trade block if the Paul trade becomes official.
According to ESPN’s Marc Stein’s twitter handle, the Hornets might look into trading Odom if he’s unhappy with the situation.
Even though Hornets know Odom doesn’t want to leave LA. Their preference is keeping him but sense is they’ll trade him on if they have to
Before David West agreed to sign with the Boston Celtics, the Spurs were one team rumored to be interested in him. One has to wonder (h/t Trevor Zickgraf) if they might open the communication line with the Hornets regarding the availability of Odom if the Paul trade indeed goes down?
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