The Chicago Bulls signed Lou Amundson, Ronnie Brewer and Mike James late in the season in what was perceived by many in the NBA as a signal of a possible trade this offseason.

The combined, non-guaranteed salary of those three players for next season gives the Bulls $4.07 million that could be used as a trade chip for a player like Carmelo Anthony.

The New York Knicks are considered the favorites to re-sign Anthony, but the Bulls are expected to pursue him and this could make a deal involving the two teams more viable.

The Chicago Bulls will do everything within their power to trade Carlos Boozer before they seriously consider using their amnesty provision on the final season of his contract.

The Bulls have until July 16 to amnesty Boozer this offseason.

Because the Bulls will have to pay Boozer's salary, the only incentive for amnestying him will be for cap space.

The Charlotte Bobcats will target Arron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson in a potential trade.

Steve Clifford is believed to be fond of Afflalo and Nelson.

Nelson, 32, is entering the final season of his contract at $8 million, but only $2 million of that is guaranteed if Nelson is waived by July 15.

Afflalo, 28, is due to earn $7.5 million next season and has a player option for 2015-16, also valued at $7.5 million.

A three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Clippers, Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks almost fell apart last offseason due to the racial reservations of Donald Sterling.

The Clippers were acquiring J.J. Redick in a sign-and-trade in which Eric Bledsoe was deal to the Suns.

Sterling became reluctant to honor the agreement made by Doc Rivers because it was hard for him to see the value of paying $7 million per season for Redick.

"He thought it was too much to pay for a white player," said one source.

Jeff Green has two more seasons at $9.2 million per year left on his contract with the Boston Celtics, the second of which non-guaranteed.

Green is "eminently available" if a contending team believes in the veteran forward as a fit, according to a report. Green could provide a third or fourth scorer on a contender.

Green averaged 16.9 points and 4.6 rebounds this season.

Jim Buss was more in favor of trading away Pau Gasol at the trade deadline than Mitch Kupchak.

The Los Angeles Lakers were never offered more than a second round pick for Gasol.

The Lakers decided not to trade away the expiring $19.3 million contract of Gasol for such a small return.

"Mitch wins a lot more of these battles than people imagine," said an agent who asked not to be identified because he deals with the Lakers. "They respect his caution."

The Los Angeles Lakers may have their highest pick in over 30 years this year, but they appear interested in trading it away.

"I think there’s a possibility," said Kupchak when asked about a trade of the pick.

The Lakers may look to accelerate their rebuilding efforts around Kobe Bryant and their cap space.

Thaddeus Young admitted Thursday that he will look at all his options -- including being open to parting with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Young also figures he holds some leverage due to the fact that he could opt out of his contract and become a free agent after next season.

"I do have the opt-out and that's one of the cards that can be played if the situation is not right," Young said. "I can opt out next year. I can ask to be traded. Or I can say, 'I'm all for it. I want to stick around.' I just have to see how things are going to play out."

The 76ers dangled Young in trade discussions before the deadline.

"We were all being shopped," Young said. "I think it's a big thing they kept me, of course, even though it was one of those situations where you feel a little left out."

Shaun Livingston has had an outstanding season with the Brooklyn Nets, finally fulfilling upon the promise he showed before suffering a devastating injury.

“When you look at the entire picture, Shaun is a better player now than when he hurt his knee in ’07,” Reggie Livingston said.

The Nets liked Livingston back when Rod Thorn was general manager. The Nets liked him so much that Rod Thorn offered Vince Carter in a trade that Elgin Baylor declined. 

Livingston's presence allowed the Nets to move Deron Williams to the 2, Joe Johnson to the 3 and Paul Pierce to the 4.

“I like where I’m at, let’s put it that way,” Shaun Livingston said. “This year’s been everything I could have asked for.” 

The Miami Heat were offered Evan Turner in a trade by the Philadelphia 76ers ahead of the deadline with Udonis Haslem being the only significant piece they would have had to send in return.

The Heat didn't make the trade, at least in part because they didn't like how it would look to deal one of the club's longest tenured players.

The Indiana Pacers, however, traded Danny Granger to the 76ers for Turner.

Haslem has twice given up in excess of $10 million to remain with the Heat.