Ray Allen

As the Knicks send their lead officials to recruit Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire and LeBron James, the New York Post reports that the team will send other front office members to meet with Kyle Korver, Mike Miller and Ray Allen.

The Knicks are in the market for another three-point shooter to spread the floor in Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense.

Real GM

Chris Bosh

Sources said the Raptors will try to acquire draft picks and young players in return for Chris Bosh.

They would likely ask for forward Michael Beasley and point guard Mario Chalmers in any deal with the Miami Heat.

If Bosh were to go to the Chicago Bulls, the Raptors like forward Taj Gibson and center Joakim Noah.

If Bosh settles on the New York Knicks, the Raptors would try to engage in a double sign-and-trade that sends Knicks forward David Lee to Toronto.

HoopsWorld

Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce plans on opting out of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent. He notified the Celtics through his Los Angeles-based agent Jeff Schwartz late last night.

Pierce’s decision, though not a surprise, throws president Danny Ainge’s plan to retool the team for another potential title run into a tailspin.

Pierce walked away from $21.5 million but a potential new collective bargaining agreement after next season might reduce salaries and Pierce is likely seeking a new contract under the current CBA.

Boston.com

Larry Coon details just how much salary-cap space each of the teams have entering the free-agent market which officially opens at midnight on Thursday.

The following are best-case scenarios for each of the teams with the most projected cap room:

The Knicks could hold 2.06 max contracts.

The Nets could hold 2.00 max contracts.

The Bulls could hold 1.76 max contracts.

The Heat could hold 1.67 max contracts, even after the team signs its own free agent, Dwyane Wade, to a max contract.

The Clippers could hold 1.02 max contracts.

Real GM

Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony has one more year left on his contract with the Denver Nuggets before he can opt out of it and become an unrestricted free agent.

The Nuggets are feeling like he may do just that and the team “is prepared to trade Melo rather than let him walk” next summer, according to a source.

Anthony will make $17 million this season and the Nuggets have been trying to get him to sign on for a $65 million extension that would have him in Denver through 2015.

Yahoo Sports

Yi Jianlian

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired Yi Jianlian and cash considerations from the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Quinton Ross.

“This trade is a good opportunity to add a skilled seven-footer with significant NBA experience who was the sixth overall pick in the draft just three years ago,” said Grunfeld.

“Yi fits in very well with our ongoing plan of building towards the future with a core of young, talented players.”

Inside Hoops

Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James met over the weekend in Miami to seriously discuss their impending free agency and the possibility of all playing together for the Heat.

Sources with knowledge of the meeting stressed to ESPN.com that James has not committed to leaving Cleveland for Miami.

One source did label Miami as the new frontrunner to land James in a package deal with Bosh and a re-signed Wade but also cautioned that James was “non-committal” with the start of free agency fast approaching.

Real GM

David Lee

If the Suns are unable to retain Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix owner Robert Sarver will make a run at David Lee.

Lee could command a five-year contract worth around $60 million.

If the Suns do sign Lee, it would likely come at the expense of renouncing Channing Frye.

Real GM

Gilbert Arenas

A person with knowledge of the Magic’s plans said a trade for Gilbert Arenas, the one-time superstar whose reputation took a massive hit with his gun suspension last season, remains a “definite possibility.”

Smith has a good relationship with Arenas, but a stumbling block could be the fact that Dwight Howard is not sure whether Arenas would fit in.

If Howard gets the answers he is looking for, there could be legs to the Arenas-to-Orlando scenario.

CBS Sports

Joe Johnson

The Mavericks will explore a sign-and-trade deal for Joe Johnson, according to sources.

Dallas is unlikely to seriously pursue LeBron James and Johnson has become a realistic target.

Johnson might prefer a sign-and-trade with Dallas over signing outright with the Knicks or Bulls, sources said.

“New York is far from his first option,” one source with knowledge of Johnson’s thinking said.

Real GM