Kori Ellis
07-02-2005, 02:33 AM
Lakers among teams chasing guard Daniels
By News Wire Reports
July 2, 2005
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_3899648,00.html
LOS ANGELES - On the first day of the NBA's free-agent negotiation period, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak reached out Friday to Seattle SuperSonics guard Antonio Daniels.
Agent Tony Dutt said the Lakers were one of 11 teams that called about possibly signing Daniels and likely would be among the three or four teams that turn out to be Daniels' finalists.
"He thinks it's a good situation," Dutt said. "Obviously, they've made some changes the last couple of years. I think everybody agrees that's a team that's going to win every season. They've had their struggles but always find a way to right the ship, so to speak."
The front-runner to sign Daniels, 30, appears to be the Cleveland Cavaliers, who could have as much as $28 million to spend on free agents and are looking to replace Jeff McInnis. Daniels grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and played at Bowling Green.
With the Lakers in excess of the salary cap for next season, the best they can offer Daniels would be the standard midlevel exception available to all 30 NBA teams. Their biggest possible deal would be for five years and about $30.5 million.
The Lakers also have to decide about signing any player past the 2006-07 season, after which they are positioned to have salary-cap flexibility for the first time since trading Shaquille O'Neal.
Daniels backed up Luke Ridnour last season in Seattle, averaging a career-best 11.2 points and 4.1 assists in 27 minutes a game.
Meanwhile, the Lakers and Vlade Divac have agreed to postpone a decision on the veteran center's contract status until just before the start of training camp. The Lakers have the option of picking up a one-year, $5.4 million contract option or buying Divac out for $2 million.
By News Wire Reports
July 2, 2005
http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_3899648,00.html
LOS ANGELES - On the first day of the NBA's free-agent negotiation period, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak reached out Friday to Seattle SuperSonics guard Antonio Daniels.
Agent Tony Dutt said the Lakers were one of 11 teams that called about possibly signing Daniels and likely would be among the three or four teams that turn out to be Daniels' finalists.
"He thinks it's a good situation," Dutt said. "Obviously, they've made some changes the last couple of years. I think everybody agrees that's a team that's going to win every season. They've had their struggles but always find a way to right the ship, so to speak."
The front-runner to sign Daniels, 30, appears to be the Cleveland Cavaliers, who could have as much as $28 million to spend on free agents and are looking to replace Jeff McInnis. Daniels grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and played at Bowling Green.
With the Lakers in excess of the salary cap for next season, the best they can offer Daniels would be the standard midlevel exception available to all 30 NBA teams. Their biggest possible deal would be for five years and about $30.5 million.
The Lakers also have to decide about signing any player past the 2006-07 season, after which they are positioned to have salary-cap flexibility for the first time since trading Shaquille O'Neal.
Daniels backed up Luke Ridnour last season in Seattle, averaging a career-best 11.2 points and 4.1 assists in 27 minutes a game.
Meanwhile, the Lakers and Vlade Divac have agreed to postpone a decision on the veteran center's contract status until just before the start of training camp. The Lakers have the option of picking up a one-year, $5.4 million contract option or buying Divac out for $2 million.