<TABLE class=tablehead cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=3><TBODY><TR class=colhead><TD width=65>WHO</TD><TD>WHAT</TD><TD>THE SKINNY</TD></TR><TR class=oddrow vAlign=top><TD noWrap align=middle>
Rashard Lewis
SuperSonics
</TD><TD>Six-Year Contract
</TD><TD>Last Year Not Guaranteed
Jul 13 - Orlando president
Bob Vander Weide wouldn't go into detail about the specifics of
Rashard Lewis' contract, but he said that certain factors have to be met before the 2012-13 payment of $23.8 million becomes fully guaranteed.
Scott Herring, Orlando's vice president of basketball operations, said that "a number of performance categories -- some individual and some team-based" have to be met before the final year of the deal becomes fully guaranteed. It is believed that only 50 percent of the final year is guaranteed.
"Before we'd agree to get into a sign-and-trade agreement with the player we wanted him to appreciate performance first," Vander Weide said. "The deal could be worth ($118.5 million) before it's all said and done or it may not. We really won't know until the contract is complete." --
Florida Today
According to ESPN.com's
Chad Ford, only $10 million is currently guaranteed in the last year of the contract. A league source revealed that the remainder will be guaranteed if certain performance incentives are met. According to this source, it boils down to this: if Lewis remains healthy, he'll get the money. --
ESPN.com
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Boston
</TD><TD>Racial Issues
</TD><TD>Doc Won't Play Race Card
Jul 13 - Doc Rivers does not believe racial issues are a factor in getting players to the Celtics. The Celtics coach offered a rebuttal yesterday to comments made by
Washington Post columnist
Michael Wilbon, comments that came in the wake of declarations by
Kevin Garnett and others that they didn't want to be traded to Boston.
According to Wilbon, the region's poor racial climate is to blame. And while the veracity of those claims are between Wilbon and his sources, Rivers insists the perception is based on a faulty premise. "Well, I think that's the old opinion of Boston," he said. "You know, it was in
Bill Russell's book years ago, but that's changed obviously -- and it's good that it's changing. But sometimes change happens first and the perception (changing) happens second." --
Boston Herald
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Mike Bibby
Kings
</TD><TD>
Cavaliers?
</TD><TD>Bibby Trade Talk On Again
Jul 13 - The
Mike Bibby trade talks between the Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers have resurfaced, according to a league source.
Although the discussions between Kings basketball president
Geoff Petrie and Cavs GM
Danny Ferry have temporarily stalled -- all indications are they will continue -- a three-team deal appears to have come close to taking place. Though all of the terms of the deal are not known, the source said Bibby would have gone to the Cavaliers for forward
Drew Gooden, while San Antonio center
Jackie Butler also would have been sent to the Kings.
Just as Petrie seemed to have cooled on the notion of trading
Ron Artest, it appears moving Bibby is at the top of the priority list. --
Sacramento Bee
The Spurs were working on a three-way deal with the Kings and Cavaliers that could have included
Luis Scola. When they fell through, they moved to the Rockets deal, dropping the Jackie Butler salary. --
Houston Chronicle
A version of the deal was close to happening Thursday, sources said, in a three-way move with the San Antonio Spurs.
The Cavs were believed to be after the rights to Argentine center Luis Scola as well, which the Spurs own. When the talks broke down, the Spurs dealt Scola and reserve forward Jackie Butler to the Houston Rockets. The Kings, looking to add more scoring to their front line, have been interested in Drew Gooden. According to a source,
Damon Jones also might have been included in the potential deal. --
Akron Beacon-Journal
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Alonzo Mourning
Heat
</TD><TD>Retirement?
</TD><TD>One Or None
Jul 13 - Speaking to ESPN from his Zo's Summer Groove golf tournament Thursday at Doral, Heat free-agent center
Alonzo Mourning said if he does play next season it would be his final one.
"I really haven't decided yet," he said. "I'm enjoying this time off. I know for a fact that if I do decide to come back, it definitely would be my last." Mourning, 37, reiterated that his decision would be tied to the team's offseason personnel moves and
Pat Riley's decision on a coaching return. --
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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Mo Williams
Bucks
</TD><TD>Free Agency
</TD><TD>Nothing To Report
Jul 13 - GM
Larry Harris offered no new developments in the pursuit of
Mo Williams on Thursday and indicated negotiations are continuing between the Bucks and agent
Mark Bartelstein.
Published reports of possible sign-and-trade deals involving Williams were rejected by Harris, who said he remained focused on signing the 6-foot-1 free agent.
Sources indicated the Bucks have offered a five-year, $42 million deal, while Miami can offer a five-year, $31 million contract or a shorter contract with a player option in the fourth year. --
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Williams and his agent, Mark Bartelstein, had been in talks with the Bucks since Wednesday night, and the sides were believed to be making progress toward a deal.
But Bartelstein said Thursday night the Heat was still firmly in the mix for Williams, the highest-profile free agent still available.
Bartelstein would not say if talks between Williams and the Heat or Bucks are being held up by a potential sign-and-trade deal. Because the Heat is above the salary cap, the most it could offer Williams without a sign-and-trade deal is $31.4 million for five seasons. --
Miami Herald
"There's really nothing to report," said agent Mark Bartelstein, who acknowledged additional talks Thursday with the Bucks and said one or two other teams have expressed interest. --
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Two people with knowledge of the situation yesterday confirmed that the Knicks have had discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks about a possible sign-and-trade for the 24-year-old Williams. Both, however, suggested that
Isiah Thomas' inquiry is merely due diligence. A person with knowledge of the Knicks' plans said the interest in Williams, as well as in free-agent point guard
Steve Blake, is not to be read as a move to replace
Stephon Marbury. --
Newsday
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Chucky Atkins
Grizzlies
</TD><TD>Free Agency
</TD><TD>Done Deal
Jul 13 -
Chucky Atkins, a point guard with eight years of NBA experience, said Thursday night he will be in Denver today to sign a multiyear contract with the Nuggets.
"Pretty much a done deal," Atkins said. "I'm very excited. Very happy. For one, just to be off the (free- agent) market. Secondly, to be going to play for a very talented team that has a chance to win it all." Atkins' pending arrival means point guard
Steve Blake is unlikely to return to the Nuggets. --
Rocky Mountain News
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Chicago
</TD><TD>Luxury Tax
</TD><TD>Tax A Concern
Jul 13 - As badly as the Bulls want to add a veteran big man, GM
John Paxson refuses to flirt with luxury-tax territory down the road to do so. With extensions possibly coming up this summer or next for
Luol Deng and
Ben Gordon, the financial parameters he has discussed with agents for
Joe Smith,
Mikki Moore and
Chris Mihm reflect that. "We're not going to use the exceptions just to use them," Paxson said. --
Chicago Tribune
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New Jersey
</TD><TD>Roster Moves
</TD><TD>Will They Return?
Jul 13 - By no means is
Mikki Moore out of the picture. But two other members from last season's team,
Eddie House and
Cliff Robinson, likely will not return.
Moore's marketplace is shrinking. Memphis signed Darko Milicic, and Chicago, the other team with interest, offered less than the original Nets pitch. House likely will end up elsewhere. "He is looking around,"
Rod Thorn said, adding he is "not sure" if the guard will return. The Nets almost certainly will buy out Robinson for $500,000 by Sunday. --
New York Post
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Jason Kapono
Raptors
</TD><TD>Free Agency
</TD><TD>Kapono Shocked
Jul 13 - "I was shocked at first,"
Jason Kapono said, describing his reaction when he learned Raptors president
Bryan Colangelo was on the telephone to his agent at 12:01 a.m. July 1, the earliest opportunity for clubs to negotiate with free agents.
"Throughout my career, I've heard everything I couldn't do, all the reasons I couldn't fit, all the reasons I couldn't stay with a team. And now I have a team and a guy [Colangelo] who believes in me. That's something that means a lot to a player. That's something you work hard for." Kapono will wear 24, the number worn by
Morris Peterson, who is likely headed to the Utah Jazz or New Orleans Hornets as a free agent. --
Toronto Globe and Mail
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Morris Peterson
Raptors
</TD><TD>Free Agency
</TD><TD>No More Mo
Jul 13 - Raptors president/general manager
Bryan Colangelo confirmed yesterday that
Morris Peterson's seven-season run with the Raptors is over.
"Mo was frustrated by his role (last season), but handled himself like a true professional," Colangelo said. "We wish him the best."
Colangelo said Peterson may have an opportunity to start elsewhere (likely Utah or New Orleans), something that was not going to happen here. --
Toronto Sun
A league source said Thursdsay night the Hornets are close to an agreement with Toronto's Morris Peterson, their primary target in free agency. Negotiations also continue with backup point guard
Jannero Pargo, who is receiving interest from the New Jersey Nets. --
New Orleans Times-Picayune
Kevin O'Connor always declines to comment on free agents, but he did have something interesting to say when asked how the contracts given to Toronto's
Jason Kapono (four years, $24 million) and Charlotte's
Matt Carroll (six years, $27 million) affect his dealings.
"It's called market value," O'Connor said. "The market's been set. But you know, you don't have to shop in that market."
Morris Peterson, the Jazz's top free-agent target, believes he's worthy of a similar deal, starting for the full midlevel exception of $5.356 million or close to it. The Jazz are planning on using at least a piece of the midlevel to sign second-round pick
Kyrylo Fesenko. --
Salt Lake Tribune
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Mickael Pietrus
Warriors
</TD><TD>Free Agency
</TD><TD>Talks Slow-Moving
Jul 13 - League sources said Toronto, Dallas and Miami were among those interested in
Mickael Pietrus, but the Raptors committed their midlevel exception to sharpshooter Jason Kapono, and the Heat are still hoping to lure point guard Mo Williams away from Milwaukee.
Talks with Golden State have been slow-moving and interest in a multi-year deal might be lukewarm on both ends.
Happy Walters, Pietrus' agent, said the Warriors "have not been very responsive" since tendering a one-year offer of about $3.5 million last month. "If they have an interest in keeping Mickael, they need to let us know," Walters said. --
San Francisco Chronicle
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LaMarcus Aldridge
Trail Blazers
</TD><TD>Summer League
</TD><TD>Aldridge May Be Done
Jul 13 - Blazers GM
Kevin Pritchard on Thursday said any worries the team had were relieved after an MRI conducted on
LaMarcus Aldridge's sore left heel came back negative. But he isn't sure whether Aldridge will play again in summer league.
"Everything's clear," he said. "No worries." "We're gonna take it day to day," Pritchard said. "My gut feeling is, I'm not going to risk it for summer league." --
Vancouver Columbian
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James Posey
Heat
</TD><TD>Free Agency
</TD><TD>Posey Targets Four Teams
Jul 13 -
Mark Bartelstein, who also represents Heat free agent
James Posey, said the forward would likely sign with one of four teams: Cleveland, Golden State, New Orleans or New Jersey. --
Miami Herald
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Maceo Baston
Pacers
</TD><TD>Offer Sheet
</TD><TD>Pacers On The Clock
Jul 13 -
Bryan Colangelo formally sent the Indiana Pacers an offer on restricted free-agent forward
Maceo Baston yesterday morning. The Pacers have seven days to match the offer on Baston, whom Colangelo said would add much-needed athleticism and shot-blocking to the team. --
Toronto Sun
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DeShawn Stevenson
Wizards
</TD><TD>Free Agency
</TD><TD>Contingency Plan
Jul 13 - The Washington Wizards continue to remain optimistic they can come to terms on a contract with guard
DeShawn Stevenson. But in the event they don't, the Wizards are working on a contingency plan that included talking with the representative of
Devin Brown yesterday, according to a team source.
The source reached yesterday said negotiations between the Wizards and Stevenson's agent are ongoing and that both sides believe an agreement could come soon.
But if negotiations with Stevenson break down, the Wizards will consider Brown. --
Washington Times
Negotiations between the Wizards and unrestricted free agent shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson continued Thursday and an agreement on a new contract could be reached on Friday, according to multiple sources familiar with the negotiations. According to one league source, the Wizards' offer is for four years and $15 million. Stevenson, who played for just less than $1 million last season, was considering that offer late Thursday night. --
Washington Post
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Devean George
Mavericks
</TD><TD>New Contract
</TD><TD>Bad Info
Jul 13 - There is some misinformation on the Internet stating that the Mavericks had to dip into their mid-level exception to re-sign
Devean George. That's not the case, however, as George signed a one-year deal Thursday at a 20 percent increase of last year's salary. His pay for next season will be about $2.336 million. --
Dallas Morning News
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Detroit
</TD><TD>Team USA
</TD><TD>USA Taps Ronzone
Jul 13 - Pistons director of basketball operations
Tony Ronzone, the team's international scout, was named to a two-year appointment with USA Basketball. He will serve as the Men's Senior National Director of International Player Personnel. The position is voluntary and Ronzone will continue his duties with the Pistons. Ronzone is to serve through the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. --
Detroit Free Press
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Dallas
</TD><TD>Chicago Cubs
</TD><TD>Cuban Makes Pitch For Cubs
Jul 13 -
Mark Cuban has taken his interest in the Chicago Cubs to the next level.
The Mavericks owner confirmed Thursday night that he has applied to Major League Baseball for a possible purchase of the legendary franchise. "I submitted the application and have no comment on the rest," Mr. Cuban wrote in an e-mail response to several questions. --
Dallas Morning News
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New Orleans
</TD><TD>Training Camp
</TD><TD>Under Consideration
Jul 13 - Based on their summer-league performances, players who could be under consideration for an invitation to training camp are guards
Anthony Roberson and
Milt Palacio and forward
Anthony Richardson. "We've got to look at a few guys who are here right now and see what type of interest we have in bringing them to veteran camp,"
Byron Scott said. "When the season was over, we felt we had to add a couple of pieces, and most of those pieces are a need to have guys coming off the bench. ... We had a young team, and hopefully we can get the depth that we're looking for. You need a rotation with 10 or 11 guys." --
New Orleans Times-Picayune
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San Antonio
</TD><TD>Team News
</TD><TD>Quick Shots
Jul 13 - The Spurs had hoped to trade
Luis Scola outside their division and were close to sending him to Cleveland, but a three-team deal that would have sent Butler to Sacramento fell apart. A potential trade to send
Jackie Butler to New Jersey also didn't materialize, so the Spurs decided to package Scola with him.
The Spurs re-signed two of their own free agents Thursday, solidifying deals with forward
Matt Bonner (three years, $9 million) and
Jacque Vaughn (two years, $2.5 million). They had hoped to also sign Detroit forward
Amir Johnson to an offer sheet, but he agreed to take less money (three years, $11 million) to stay with the Pistons. With Johnson off the market, the Spurs could turn their attention to Portland free-agent swingman
Ime Udoka. --
San Antonio Express-News
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Los Angeles
</TD><TD>Team News
</TD><TD>Quick Shots
Jul 13 - The Lakers remain interested in re-signing center
Chris Mihm and aren't limited by salary-cap rules to do so. But barring a trade they'd be paying the luxury tax next season.
It remains undetermined if second-round pick
Sun Yue will delay his NBA arrival a year.
Derek Fisher, who is president of the NBA players union, and Lakers rep Maurice Evans will spend Sunday-Tuesday in Kenya distributing 11 million pounds of rice donated by Taiwan. --
Orange County Register
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Memphis
</TD><TD>Team News
</TD><TD>Quick Shots
Jul 13 - The Grizzlies appear to be an unlikely place for Spanish sharpshooter
Juan Carlos Navarro given the high price tag the Washington Wizards have placed on acquiring his rights. The word in well-placed NBA circles is that Washington asked for
Mike Conley or
Kyle Lowry or a future first-round for Navarro's rights. The Grizzlies declined.
Hakim Warrick is about to enter his third NBA season and has drawn considerable interest from teams seeking to make a trade for the 6-9 forward. The Grizzlies, though, haven't been presented with any acceptable offers and that apparently was the case recently when Milwaukee pursued Warrick. --
Memphis Commercial-Appeal
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