These are basketball rumors from three days ago. For the most recent stories click here.

After reading today's Basketball Rumors talk on the InsideHoops basketball forum where hardcore fans hang 24/7 talking hoops.

NBA Rumors for Tuesday, September 27

InsideHoops NBA rumors updated 1:00 p.m. ET. We update this page several times a day. Most of our updates throughout the day appear on our basketball blog. Click a bball story to read more, then click "BACK" to return here.

The Kings can expect many questions about Rudy Gay this season. Gay will opt out of his contract after this season and become an unrestricted free agent, fueling speculation the Kings will trade the forward to avoid losing him with no compensation. “I made the decision to opt out,” Gay said Monday during the team’s media day. “Whether I sign here, whether I’m here the rest of the season or whether I start here, it’s really not up to me. Wherever I am, I’m going play to the best of my ability.” Sacramento Bee

All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins said he wasn’t frustrated because he was starting the season with yet another new coach. Dave Joerger is Cousins’ sixth head coach in seven seasons. “When something is broke, you’ve got to fix it,” Cousins said. “That’s what this process has been, and I think we’re on the right pathway now.” Sacramento Bee

Now that LeBron James has won a championship for the ages, he’s set a loftier goal: Catching Michael Jordan. Long flattered to be mentioned in the same company with Jordan and other NBA legends, James has been hesitant to publicly acknowledge that he wants to be remembered as the greatest in league history. It’s time now. Denver Post/AP

James has revered Jordan since he was a kid. Like every other young basketball player in America, he wanted to be like Mike. He modeled himself after No. 23 on the court and followed some of Air Jordan’s moves off it as a businessman and sneaker-wearing, multi-million dollar corporation. James has often rejected the obvious comparisons between him and Jordan, but shortly after winning it all this summer with the Cavs, he told Sports Illustrated that “my motivation is this ghost I’m chasing. The ghost played in Chicago.” Denver Post/AP

Now, if Bosh is able to make an NBA return, Riley said it is his view that it will not be with the Heat. "Now I look at my friends, I watch Dwyane playing amazing basketball, because I'm on the bench every night," Bosh said of his experience at the end of last season. "I watch LeBron continue his slaughter of the NBA. It hurts me because I know that I can do the same and I'm still hoping to have my moment, just really just to prove myself as a basketball player." South Florida Sun Sentinel

After taking another step forward last season, expectations have never been higher for Brad Stevens' Celtics. Inking Al Horford to a four-year, $113 million contract has fueled that fire, but Stevens cautioned that they aren't asking the big man to put the C's on his back. "We're not asking Al to be anything more than him," Stevens said. "He's a good fit for how we play on offense. He's a good fit for the way we play defense. He's a professional." Boston Herald

Pau Gasol, who averaged 16.5 points, 11 rebounds and 4.1 assists with the Chicago Bulls last season, said he’s had his eyes on the Spurs for a while, long before he decided to sign with them in July. “They have been an example for all the teams in the league,” Gasol said. ” I love the game. I love to play the right way. I love the team concept of the game and that’s what San Antonio has been all about. It’s been team-first, players and individuals second. That’s what I also believe in. ” San Antonio Express-News

Gasol said he talked to Tim Duncan before the power forward made his decision to retire. Gasol, however, said he didn’t try to urge Duncan to remain on the team, saying that’s a very personal choice. San Antonio Express-News

Paul Millsap would not disclose the nature of the non-surgical procedure that he had on his right knee that will shut him down the first three weeks of training camp. However, the Hawks All-Star power forward said the timing was right after he experienced persistent swelling. “The knee feels good right now,” Millsap said Monday as the Hawks held media day to open training camp. “It feels good. The decision came when there was constant swelling. I would have swelling and I would rest it for a few days. It would go down but came right back when I got on (the court).” Atlanta Journal Constitution

The Hawks announced last week that Millsap underwent a preventive procedure that will sideline him. He is expected to miss at least the first two exhibition games. The issue arose during voluntary summer scrimmages. Atlanta Journal Constitution

Paul Pierce pulled a Kobe Bryant on Monday, announcing this upcoming season will be his last. But his former boss believes it could be more of a Michael Jordan situation. Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was asked Monday at the team’s media day what he thought of Pierce stepping away after the 2016-17 campaign, but he didn’t sound too sure that’d actually be the case. “First of all, I think Paul can play for a few more years,” Ainge said. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” NESN

ADDITIONAL RECENT BASKETBALL RUMORS

Today's Basketball Rumors | Yesterday's basketball rumors | 2 days ago | 3 days ago | 4 days ago