Biggest NBA Rumors This Week: LeBron, Carmelo, League Changes Coming

While the NBA has calmed down since the opening of free agency on July 1, there's no shortage of news to talk about, rumors to catch up on or speculation to juggle. This is a time where the rapid-fire subsides but things get interesting.

NBA teams have a better idea of where they missed out when it comes to adding players, franchises are learning what holes they need to fill and if they can be filled by trade. The flurry of moves is over and now decisions become much more calculated.

This week, LeBron James still dominates the news but Carmelo Anthony is consistently the second story. The NBA is looking at some sizeable changes for next summer and there are trade ideas been tossed around the Internet, even if the parties involved haven't discussed their futures publicly. A Laker is going in for surgery and teams are playing chess with Kawhi Leonard. Realistically, things aren't slowing down at all; it just feels like they are.

Here are your biggest NBA rumors this week.

LeBron Still the King of Rumors

While week one in July was all about where LeBron would land, week two is all about who the Lakers will add to play with him. Los Angeles added Lance Stephenson, Rajon Rondo, and JaVale McGee but they likely aren't done and it looks like LeBron has a sizeable amount of input as to what the Lakers do from here on in.

This has led to speculation ranging from LeBron not wanting another big star to come to LA, to rumors some of the players in LA are on a very short leash. It could be there are players on other teams LeBron has targeted or that someone like Rondo was brought in specifically to send a message to youngsters like Lonzo Ball — all at LeBron's request.

All the while, there's buzz that James has already alienated part of the fanbase in LA by teasing a pizza party and no showing it. Or, that the mural painted in Los Angeles touting him as "King of LA" has angered those who believe the city still belongs to Kobe Bryant.

Damian Lillard or Bradley Beal

When it comes to who LeBron might want, two of the names rumored to be coming to LA are Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal. In Lillard's case, the Portland Trail Blazers might be re-examining their situation after missing out on Boogie Cousins and wondering if Lillard is their guy. Because he's carved out of the same mold as a player like Kyrie Irving, James thinks the two could have strong chemistry.

In Beal's case, there are rumors the Lakers may have already made a substantial offer for Beal and that LA is seeking a shooting guard to play alongside James who wants to run the show and handle the ball. Both would be great fits.

Teams Playing Chess With Kawhi Leonard

There's a sense that the teams interested in trading for Kawhi Leonard may be playing a little chess with each other. It is still strongly speculated the Lakers have designated him as their primary target this summer but because San Antonio is playing hardball, the Lakers have leaked interest in Damian Lillard. As a result, the press (those tight with the Spurs) are leaking that the 76ers, Toronto Raptors, and LA Clippers are interested in Leonard.

If this is a game of who blinks first, this could be a trade that drags all the way out to right before the season starts. In the end, most people still believe Leonard will wind up with the Lakers.

Carmelo Anthony to Houston

The big buzz of the week was Carmelo Anthony and the Oklahoma City Thunder working on a way to relieve Anthony of his contract commitment to the team, either by buyout or trade. The move would save the Thunder $100 million and Anthony would eventually become an unrestricted free agent. Reports are, part of this process is having him talk to other teams about playing for them next season.

The early favorites are the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers with the Rockets out ahead by a hefty margin. Some doubt Houston's interest thanks to head coach Mike D'Antoni's history with Anthony being less than stellar but the news is both sides have talked and realize each is coming from a different place now.

Lonzo Ball Injury

Part of the reason Lonzo Ball was/is being judged and potentially criticized in LA is thanks to an injury report he might need surgery. The injury is not the issue but that it publicly became such a problem right around the time of trade rumors he might be moved for Kawhi Leonard.

While it's possible Ball's people did loudly share news of his injury to avoid a trade, he is legitimately injured as the team tweeted news Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee this Tuesday. The expectation is that he should be back for the start of the regular season.

NBA Making Changes

Finally, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made some interesting comments this week. Among them was the fact the NBA is heavily considering changing the one-and-done rule and lowering the age eligibility of NBA drafted players to 18. He believes the experience these young players are getting in one year of college isn't helping and that the NBA would be better off taking rookies under their wing sooner.

Also, Silver has announced the NBA will move up the start of NBA free agency for next summer so that fans don't have to stay up until all hours of the morning to hear where their favorite players are going to go on July 1.

NEXT: LEBRON LET'S DOWN HUNDREDS OF FANS, NO-SHOWED LA PIZZA PARTY