James Singleton is in serious discussions with multiple top European clubs, according to a source that spoke with RealGM.

Talks are ongoing with several NBA clubs, but Singleton is interested in turning to Europe due to the slow pace of the discussions.

Phoenix, Golden State, Utah and Dallas are four teams that have shown interest in Singleton.  At least three other teams have recently been in on discussions.

Singleton is familiar with Europe, as he played for Olimpia Milano before joining the Clippers in 2005.

The Clippers, their options to sign a veteran point guard dwindling, have set their sights on signing 10-year veteran Brevin Knight, who became an unrestricted free agent last month when he was waived by the Charlotte Bobcats.

Knight, an experienced floor general and a strong defender, would fill the Clippers? need for an experienced backup to incumbent starter Sam Cassell. Bill Strickland, Knight?s agent, said Friday he has had several discussions with Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy and that the Clippers made a preliminary contract offer.

"It?s going to be a continuing process. We?re trying to work around a (contract) number,?? said Strickland, when asked if there was anything imminent on the horizon. "But I have to say that we?re very interested in the Clippers."

Former Knick Steve Francis is likely to sign with the Rockets, Clippers, Mavericks or Heat, perhaps as early as Wednesday.

NBA sources tell FOX 26 Sports the Houston Rockets are one of three teams in the hunt to land free agent guard Steve Francis and the sources tell FOX the Rockets are the leaders in the clubhouse but that a decision still has to be made.  Francis is also considering the L.A. Clippers and Miami Heat.

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey declined comment Tuesday when asked about the team's interest and Francis' agents have not been available for comment.

Portland obtained Francis in a trade with the Knicks on June 28 and last week bought out the remainder of his contract which was worth $34 million. He has since cleared waivers and become a free agent.

With most of the big names in free agency now off the market, the Heat will likely have to pursue trades to fill its needs for depth at point guard and small forward. And Udonis Haslem's name has come up in several trade scenarios that involved the Heat.

Despite the speculation, Haslem said Tuesday he expects to be in a Heat uniform when next season opens.

''When your name comes up, you take it as a compliment, I guess,'' Haslem said Tuesday.

Pat Riley and general manager Randy Pfund have repeatedly said other teams that have discussed trades with the Heat often bring up either Haslem or fourth-year forward Dorell Wright.

The Heat has had recent trade talks with the Kings, Clippers, Bucks and Sonics, among other teams. Another possible trade partner could be the Wizards, who own the rights to Spanish star guard Juan Carlos Navarro, a potential Heat target.

After two seasons with the Clippers, the club declined to tender James Singleton a qualifying offer, making him a free agent on July 1st.

Sources tell RealGM that Chicago, Dallas, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota and Phoenix have all expressed interest in Singleton.

As is the case at this point in the free agency season, players like Singleton must be patient as the interested teams put other pieces in place.

Singleton will turn 26 this month and is known as one of the most efficient rebounders in the NBA, with a career rebound rate of 15.8.

Steve Francis, who has gone from the "Franchise" to a free agent, could be ready to bring his career back to where it began.

Hours after Francis agreed to have his contract bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent, Jeff Fried, began talks with several teams ? including the Rockets ? to find him a home.

"There is no secret Steve has a strong affinity for Houston and for the Houston Rockets," Fried said. "We're talking to a number of teams. Steve has some thinking to do."

Fried said Francis, 30, is considering the Rockets, Mavericks, Heat, Lakers and Clippers, all of whom he said have shown interest or have been receptive to pursuing Francis.

The Trail Blazers have bought out point guard Steve Francis, who was acquired from the Knicks along with Channing Frye in a trade that sent Zach Randolph to New York.  

Under the terms of the agreement, Francis will take more than $30 million from the remaining amount left on his contract.

"This was the definition of a win-win situation with Isiah and the Knicks getting Zach Randolph and Steve being the ultimate beneficiary in being bought out," Francis' agent Jeff Fried said.

Francis will become an unrestricted free agent in seven days.  Teams with which the veteran guard may try to revive his career include the Heat, the Clippers and the Mavericks.

Yaroslav Korolev will remain a member of the Clippers.

The former lottery pick, who became a free agent when the team declined to exercise his contract option, agreed to terms Friday on a two-year deal.

"The situation with the contract is not final yet, but we're working on it and I'm still with the Clippers," Korolev said. "I'm happy I'm going to be here."

Under NBA rules, Korolev's new contract, which guarantees him about $800,000 and includes a team option for the 2008-09 season, won't become official until Wednesday.

The Clippers' pursuit of point guard Steve Francis continued on Friday.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Francis' agent, Jeff Fried, are in the process of negotiating a buyout of the three-time All-Star's contract. If a deal is completed, Francis would be free to sign with another team, and the Clippers are on his list.

Many other teams, however, are also interested in Francis, so the process could drag on for weeks, sources said.