NBA Free Agency Rumors: Knicks preparing an offer for Elton Brand, showing interest in several others (Updated 11:42 AM)

The Knicks, who employ Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani, and Tyson Chandler, are going to make an offer to free agent big person Elton Brand, according to Jared Zwerling's sources:

League source: #Knicks are preparing to make offer to Elton Brand. Brand is from New York, wants to join winning team. Mutual interest high.

— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) July 2, 2013

I like Elton Brand, and if he's willing to take the veteran's minimum...sure, why not? For part of the MLE, I'm less sure. If you CAN get someone like Brand for the vet's minimum, I'm not sure why you'd trade assets for Andrea Bargnani (hoarding former number one picks?), but anywayyyy Brand might not be attainable, so whatever. A few other things:

1. Nate Robinson returning to New York has always seemed improbable, but Marc Berman frames it as the team, not the player, having little interest, which surprises me. Zwerling hears that Nate himself IS interested (along with Matt Barnes). Hmm.

2.

Hearing #Knicks have interest in potentially splitting up their mini mid-level exception to sign Prigioni & Copeland. Cope receiving offers.

— Jared Zwerling (@JaredZwerling) July 2, 2013

3.

Knicks, Clips & Blazers among teams expressing interest in Euroleague star Bobby Brown, who also has multiple big offers to return to Europe

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 2, 2013

Okay! Could be Brown's people using Brown's co-alumnus for a Grant Hill Maneuver, but okay.

4. Jared Jeffries is waiting by the phone if the Knicks are interested.

5. In a report mostly about the Knicks' interest in Francisco Garcia, Berman adds Devin Harris and Will Bynum (interest in whom has previously been mentioned) to the list of guards the Knicks called on the first day of free agency. That's just interest.

6. Boban Marjanovic, the giant Serbian center who was considering playing for the Knicks in Summer League, has signed in Serbia, so I guess that's not happening.

That's where things stand. Remember, as always, that no signings can officially be made until July 10.

Update (11:42 AM):

Following up Hojo Beck's point, Elton Brand has strong interest in returning to Dallas ... and Mavs remain fond of him

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 2, 2013

But Brand obviously has deep New York ties, too, so forthcoming Knicks offer as reported by @jaredzwerling will certainly get his attention

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 2, 2013