Official Free Agency Signing Thread

[Kori Ellis]

The free agency signing period has now begun.

In this thread, post all articles of interest about any free agents as they sign. That way we won't have a million threads about the free agents of other teams.

Thank you.

[ducks]

• O'Neal, Heat ready to sign 5-year, $125 million deal
O'Neal, Heat ready to sign 5-year, $125 million deal

By News Wire Reports
August 2, 2005

MIAMI - Shaquille O'Neal will soon sign a long-term contract to stay with the Miami Heat, a move that can hardly be considered a surprise.

Yet when the league's moratorium on signings formally expires today at 10 a.m. MDT, the Heat could quickly find themselves in a barrage of other activity - including a trade that reportedly would send away veteran Eddie Jones and his $14.5 million salary.

Team owner Micky Arison said Monday that O'Neal's deal will become official "within a very short period" following the end of the moratorium, which was pushed back from July 22 to allow attorneys for the league and union to finish drafting a written version of the new six-year collective bargaining agreement.

The Heat is believed to be offering O'Neal a five-year deal worth around $125 million, although neither the team nor the 12-time All-Star center's representatives would comment Monday on financial specifics.

"I can assure you Shaquille will be in a Miami Heat uniform for a very long time," Arison told The Associated Press in a telephone interview from Italy.

It's unknown if O'Neal has formally opted out of the final year of his existing contract, one that would have paid him $30.6 million this coming season. Yet that move, whenever it happens, is merely a technicality that allows him to enter into a new deal.

"If Shaq stays in shape, I think he can be a great productive player for us for many, many years," Arison said.

The 7-foot-1, 327-pound O'Neal made an immediate impact during his first season with Miami, which acquired him in July 2004 from the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for three players and a draft choice.

He averaged 22.9 points and 10.4 rebounds in the regular season, leading the league with a 60.1 field-goal percentage. O'Neal ranked sixth in the league in blocks (2.34 a game), double-doubles (43) and rebounds.

A bruised thigh, suffered late in the regular season, limited his playoff effectiveness; the Heat was the No. 1-seeded team in the East, yet lost to Detroit in Game 7 of the conference finals - the finest postseason showing in the Heat franchise's 17-year history.

And still, Miami is apparently considering a major shake-up.

The Miami Herald, quoting unnamed league sources, reported Monday that the Heat might trade Jones to the Memphis Grizzlies for point guard Jason Williams and small forward James Posey.

The Heat also has met this off-season with free-agent forward Antoine Walker, a three-time All-Star who averaged 19.1 points and nine rebounds last season for the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics.

The Heat already has agreed to a five-year deal worth just more than $30 million with forward Udonis Haslem, yet is awaiting decisions from backup center Alonzo Mourning, who's considering retirement, and free-agent point guard Damon Jones - whom Miami wants back, apparently regardless of whether Williams is acquired.

Jones, a perennial league leader in assist-to-turnover ratio as well as being one of the NBA's top three-point shooters, met with the Cleveland Cavaliers - a team in desperate need of a point guard - over parts of Sunday and Monday, and is believed to be considering offers from both the Heat and the Cavs.

Other already-agreed-to deals that could become final today include guard Larry Hughes' move from Washington to Cleveland, forward Donyell Marshall from Toronto to the Cavs, center Jerome James from the SuperSonics to the Knicks, guard Antonio Daniels from Seattle to Washington, forward Stromile Swift from Memphis to Houston, swingman Bobby Simmons from the Clippers to the Bucks and guard Keyon Dooling from Miami to Orlando.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_3971303,00.html

[sa_butta]

http://www.ajc.com/tuesday/content/epaper/editions/tuesday/sports_24fe31c9908462ab1082.html

The Hawks entered this summer armed with more than $24 million in salary cap space to pursue free agents, a similar figure to what they had the summer before.



But while they swung and missed in the summer of 2004, they will more than make up for it this time around.

With the NBA-wide moratorium on signing free agents lifted today, the Hawks are poised to land Phoenix restricted free-agent guard Joe Johnson in a sign-and-trade deal for Boris Diaw and two future lottery-protected first-round draft picks.

The Johnson deal, for five years and an estimated $70 million, marks the Hawks' first significant free-agent acquisition under the new ownership group while also putting a dent in the long-held belief that no free agents could be wooed to play for the struggling franchise.

The Hawks have also extended an offer sheet to Milwaukee reserve center Zaza Pachulia, another restricted free agent. The offer sheet extended to Pachulia, a four-year, $4 million deal, lacks the headline power of the Johnson deal but could clear up issues at a position just as critical and fits into the cap-conscious approach that general manager Billy Knight insists he'll maintain.

"I think these moves we've made will help us because we're bringing in guys that fit now with our young core and they fit for the future," Knight said. "We were in on those guys last summer, Kenyon Martin, Carlos Boozer and Erick Dampier. We didn't do those deals because we felt it was best not to do it. We didn't spend the money because we didn't think we needed to.

"This summer comes along and everybody does a lot of talking, and there's always a lot of yapping going on from all angles, from people that know and people that don't know. I read it all and I laugh at that. I just want to do a deal, get it done, and I don't care about everybody knowing about it. I want to do what I think is the best thing to do, talk to my ownership, and move on."

The decision to go after Johnson was easy, given his versatility, age (24) and desire to play for the Hawks.

Suns general manager Bryan Colangelo told reporters in Phoenix that he was prepared to match the offer until Johnson made it clear that he wasn't interested in returning.

With Johnson aboard as the starting point guard, center is the only position with a major question mark for the Hawks, who waived last season's starter, Obinna Ekezie, and backup Peja Drobjnak last month.

Six-year veteran Jason Collier remains on the roster.

The Bucks have seven days to match the offer to Pachulia, who averaged 6.2 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19 minutes per game last season.

Just 21 years old, Pachulia, 6 feet 11 and 265 pounds, fits the blue-collar profile Knight wants to add at the position, though he's not nearly the caliber of athlete of Eddy Curry, Tyson Chandler or Samuel Dalembert, this summer's most high-profile young centers.

[sa_butta]

This is not a signing but didnt want to post in another thread about the same thing.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/basketball/12280885.htm
Walker might be on the way to Heat.

http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif
The Heat is close to acquiring forward Antoine Walker, and the team remains interested in Memphis' Jason Williams.
http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif
BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ
http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif
[email protected]
http://www.miami.com/images/common/spacer.gif


The NBA moratorium on free agent signings ends today at noon, and the Heat could have the best remaining free agent wrapped up in a sign-and-trade deal soon after.

While details of the deal remained unclear, with the Heat and Celtics speaking late Monday figuring out the specifics, the teams are close to a deal that would send a newly signed forward Antoine Walker to Miami. With the Celtics not wanting to take on much salary in return, the Heat might not be giving up much more than its $1.9 million trade exception, a minimal-salary player and draft picks. A third team could be involved. Walker's deal is believed to begin at about $6 million to $7 million.

In his nine-year career, Walker has averaged 19.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists while playing for the Celtics, Mavericks and Hawks.

ANOTHER POSSIBLE DEAL

Meanwhile, Memphis point guard Jason Williams still looks like he's headed to Miami via trade, but just how the transaction will occur also remains cloudy.

There might be at least one other team involved and possibly more players, but sources maintain that Williams and his Grizzlies, swingman James Posey, will end up in Miami and Eddie Jones will leave the Heat.

Sources indicated that the particulars of the deal have been altered during the past few days, but Heat president Pat Riley was approaching matters as if the move, which was expected to occur within the next three or four days, was imminent.

The prospect of playing in Miami with center Shaquille O'Neal has intrigued Williams since last summer, and he didn't hide his displeasure with the Grizzlies during the course of the past year.

While Williams' numbers and his play have been erratic throughout his seven-year career, one encouraging sign for the Heat is that Williams' first year with each of his past two teams have been his most productive.

In his rookie season with the Sacramento Kings, Williams averaged 12.8 points and six assists. And in his first season with the Grizzlies, the 2001-02 season, Williams averaged a career-best 14.8 points and eight assists.

While Williams has had his differences with coaches, he has never played with a teammate who demands the respect that O'Neal does. Williams' desire to play alongside the franchise center could be enough to keep the occasionally troubled point guard from further problems.

While Williams is likely to join the Heat, the team is still in negotiations with point guard Damon Jones. The Cleveland Cavaliers, however, met with Jones on Monday and made him a significant contract offer. Jones is considering the offer but has not committed to Cleveland and is still mulling a return to Miami.

The Heat also is expected to announce the re-signing of O'Neal to a deal that one NBA source said is a five-year contract worth $25 million each year.

FINANCIAL FLEXIBILITY

With next year's luxury tax threshold set at $61.7 million for the upcoming season, the deal would give the Heat enough flexibility to operate below, or just slightly over, the tax number this year.

Had O'Neal insisted his salary start at $30 million (O'Neal opted out of his previous contract that would have paid him $30.6 million next season), the Heat would have been in a much tighter bind.

As it is, the Heat might still have room to add projected free agent Michael Finley, whom the Mavericks might release under the new ''amnesty'' clause.

Several teams reportedly have expressed interest in adding Finley, but the Heat might have one advantage. Finley and Heat guard Dwyane Wade share the same Chicago-based agent, Henry Thomas, who also represented former Heat point guard Tim Hardaway.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Dude, it's the FA *signing* thread. Nothing wrong with starting another thread about reported trades. They aren't the same.

[kolko]

"The Memphis Grizzlies and the Sacramento Kings got the ball rolling Tuesday by announcing a trade that will send Grizzlies guard Bonzi Wells to the Kings in exchange for center Greg Ostertag and guard Bobby Jackson"

[sa_butta]

Dude, it's the FA *signing* thread. Nothing wrong with starting another thread about reported trades. They aren't the same.cool my bad, just didnt want to start unecessary threads.

[Pistons < Spurs]

MIAMI -- Shaquille O'Neal and the Miami Heat agreed Tuesday on a $100 million, five-year contract, one that presumably will keep the 12-time All-Star center playing past his 38th birthday.

The deal will be signed later Tuesday, said O'Neal's agent Perry Rogers.

"We wanted to make sure that Shaquille was being compensated well into his career," Rogers told The Associated Press. "We also wanted to make sure he was paid his value. And it was important the Heat had flexibility they need in the short-term to win a championship.

"It's about winning."

O'Neal was vacationing Tuesday and not immediately available for comment.

Earlier Tuesday, O'Neal opted out of the final year of his existing deal, one that would have paid him $30.6 million this coming season.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2122716

[Solid D]

Spurs' Summer League team FA lead guard Justin Hamilton signs with Italian League and Euroleague entry Siena.

http://www.24sec.net/images/lib/Italy/justin-hamilton-.jpg

http://www.24sec.net/article.asp?index=2283

[ducks]

Rockets sign F Stromile Swift
August 2, 2005

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Stromile Swift could not pass up the opportunity to play with Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming.

In a deal originally reported by the Houston Chronicle on July 18, the Houston Rockets on Tuesday officially signed the 6-9 forward to a multi-year contract.

Tuesday is the first day teams officially can sign free agents and announce trades as the new salary cap became effective at noon EDT, ending the league's "moratorium period." http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=rocketsswift&prov=st&type=lgns

[ducks]

Sikma gets contract extension


The Associated Press

SEATTLE – The Seattle SuperSonics signed assistant coach Jack Sikma to a contract extension today and promoted video coordinator and special assignments coach Walt Rock to assistant coach and director of video scouting.

"Jack has been a tremendous asset to our coaching staff over the last two years," general manager Rick Sund said. "I'm extremely pleased he's back with us and I know he'll be a great benefit to our head coach, Bob Weiss, and the rest of the organization."

The 49-year-old Sikma was taken by the Sonics with the eighth overall pick in the 1977 NBA draft. He ranks among Seattle's career leaders in 14 statistical categories, ranking first with 7,729 rebounds, second with 705 blocked shots and third with 12,034 points.

Sikma, whose jersey number hangs from the rafters at KeyArena, retired after the 1990-91 season. He rejoined the Sonics as special assignments coach before the 2003-04 season and was promoted to assistant last year.

The 44-year-old Rock joined the team as a video coordinator in 1998.

"Over the last seven years, Walt's hard work and dedication have been sensational," Sund said. "He has been one of the unsung heroes on our basketball staff and I believe he'll be a great asset to the organization in his expanded role."

[Solid D]

A coach ducks? Oh, well. I guess you could sort of consider Sikma a FA.

[Ishta]

could we post a master list with just the FA name and where he signed up top as quick reference.

Good Idea!!!

[Spurologist]

Wells Joins Kings From Grizzlies in Three-Team Trade
Guard Jackson Heads to Memphis, Ostertag Returns to Utah
By GREG BEACHAM, AP Sports

http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/sports/article.adp?id=20050802145709990014

The Sacramento Kings acquired guard Bonzi Wells from the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday in a long-anticipated trade for guard Bobby Jackson and center Greg Ostertag.

The Grizzlies then traded Ostertag to the Utah Jazz for guard Raul Lopez, forward Kirk Snyder and center Curtis Borchardt.

Wells averaged 11.3 points and 3.3 rebounds for Memphis last season, but the controversial guard was removed from the Grizzlies' playoff roster during the club's first-round playoff loss to Phoenix after clashing with coach Mike Fratello.

Wells, a seventh-year pro, also found trouble during his first five NBA seasons in Portland, but will get a fresh start in Sacramento. A proven scorer who averaged 17 points per game for the Trail Blazers in 2001-02, Wells is expected to be the Kings' starting shooting guard, replacing departing free agent Cuttino Mobley.

"We're excited about the opportunity to get Bonzi and rebuild our backcourt with some size, length and versatility," said Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of basketball operations. "We really look forward to him coming in and having a terrific year and adding a dimension to our team that's different from what we've had before."

Earlier in the offseason, Memphis exercised an $8 million option on Wells for next season.

Jackson, the NBA's top sixth man in 2003, was the Kings' most popular and versatile player when healthy in recent years - but the point guard has missed big parts of the last three seasons because of injuries.

He averaged 12 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season, but sat out 51 games with a torn ligament in his wrist, returning late in the regular season. He missed 21 games with a broken left hand during the 2002-03 season, then missed 28 of the Kings' final 29 regular-season games and the 2004 playoffs with a strained abdominal muscle.

He will make just $3.375 million in the final season of a six-year deal he signed with the Kings in 2000.

"Bobby is not only a talented player and great competitor, but he is an individual of tremendous character," said Jerry West, the Grizzlies' president of basketball operations. "He will be a veteran leader and an explosive scorer."

Ostertag, a 10-year veteran who played sparingly in Sacramento, is back with the Jazz, where he spent his first nine NBA seasons.

With Jackson's departure, Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovic are the only Kings who were with the club just two seasons ago. Petrie has overhauled the roster in the last year with the departures of Chris Webber, Doug Christie, Mobley and Jackson.

The Jazz gave up on three youngsters to re-acquire Ostertag, who will make $4.4 million next season. Borchardt, Snyder and Lopez all failed to live up to expectations with the Jazz.

[spurschick]

Cuttino Mobley to Clippers
Donyell Marshall to Cavs
Quentin Richardson and Kurt Thomas being traded for each other (Suns-Knicks)
Ray Allen staying with Sonics
Michael Redd staying with Bucks
Bobby Simmons to Bucks
Stromile Swift to Rockets
Robert Horry staying with Spurs
Udonis Haslem staying with Heat
Brian Scalabrine to Celtics
Larry Hughes to Cavs
Zydrunas Ilgauskas staying with Cavs
Luke Walton staying with Lakers
Caron Butler and Kwame Brown being traded for each other (Lakers-Wizards)
Jerome James to Knicks
Raja Bell to Suns
Dan Gadzuric staying with Bucks
Antonio Daniels to Wizards
Keyon Dooling to Magic
Scott Padgett to Suns
Damon Stoudamire to Grizzlies
Jeff McInnis to Nets
Ryan Bowen staying with Rockets
Juan Dixon to Blazers
Pat Burke to Suns
Bonzi Wells to Kings (in trade)
Nikoloz Tskitishvili to Minnesota
Mark Madsen to Minnesota
Willie Green staying with 76ers
Kyle Korver staying with 76ers
Sam Dalembert staying with 76ers
Sarunas Jasikevicius to Pacers.

[Spurologist]

Updated: 03:05 PM EDT
Celtics Officially Sign Former Nets Forward Scalabrine

Link (http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/sports/article.adp?id=20050802144009990007)

WALTHAM, Mass. (Aug. 2) - The Boston Celtics signed former New Jersey Nets forward Brian Scalabrine to a five-year contract on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-9 Scalabrine was chosen by the Nets in the second round of the 2001 draft out of Southern California. He played in 54 games last season, averaging 6.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

"We need a player like Brian Scalabrine," said Danny Ainge, the Celtics' head of basketball operations. "He's not a guy that fills up the stat sheets, he does the little things it takes to win."

[Kori Ellis]

Spurs press conference is at 4pm (I didn't go because I had a doctor's appointment) but we should have some news very soon.

[Kori Ellis]

Cavaliers sign G Hughes, F Marshall, C IlgauskasSportsTicker
National Basketball Association News Wire

CLEVELAND - New Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Danny Ferry has given LeBron James a new supporting cast.

The Cavaliers announced the signings of free agents Larry Hughes and Donyell Marshall on Tuesday as well as the re-signing of All-Star center Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

Tuesday is the first day teams officially can sign free agents and announce trades as the new salary cap became effective at noon EDT, ending the league's "moratorium period."

Along with forward Drew Gooden, the Cavaliers now have four solid scoring options to back up the 20-year-old James, an All-Star who nearly carried the team to its first postseason appearance in seven years.

Cleveland finished at 42-40, losing the tiebreaker for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference to New Jersey.

"I am excited with what we are doing," coach Mike Brown said. "These guys fit in nicely within our team concept and complement each other and all their teammates. They are all dedicated to winning and will work hard to improve the team."

After failing to sign top free agents Ray Allen and Michael Redd, the Cavs focused on signing the 26-year-old Hughes, who is coming off a career year with the Washington Wizards. The seven-year veteran averaged a career-high 22.0 points on 43 percent shooting and led the NBA with 2.9 steals in 61 games with Washington this past year. He was named to the All-Defensive First Team.

"Larry is one of the game's most versatile young talents and his all-around game, including on the defensive end, will complement the rest of our core players for years to come," said Ferry, who was named the team's general manager in June. "We feel the combination of Larry and LeBron has the potential to be something special."

The 6-9 Marshall gives Cleveland the outside shooter Cleveland has sought since drafting James two years ago. The 33-year-old Marshall tied the NBA record for 3-pointers in a game while playing with the Toronto Raptors last season, making 12-of-19 from the arc in a win over Philadelphia on March 13.

Marshall, who has shot better than 40 percent from the arc in each of the last four years, drained 151 3-pointers last season and averaged 11.5 points per game coming off the bench for the Raptors.

The 30-year-old Ilgauskas, who has played all seven of his seasons with Cleveland, averaged 16.9 points and 8.6 rebounds in 78 games last season. He led the NBA with 299 offensive rebounds, ranked sixth with 165 blocks and was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team for the second time in three years.

After suffering through myriad foot injuries early in his career, the 7-3, 260-pounder has been a constant presence in the middle for the Cavaliers. Ilgauskas has missed just six games over the last three seasons and has increased his minutes in each campaign.

In 413 career games, the Lithuania native has averaged 14.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.

[spurschick]

Wizards Sign Guard Antonio Daniels
August 2, 2005

Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed guard Antonio Daniels. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Daniels will wear the number '6' for the Wizards this season.

“Antonio is an outstanding addition to our team,” Grunfeld said. “He is a proven winner with championship experience. He gives us great versatility at the guard position. He has excellent ball-handling skills, is a very solid defender and a great competitor.”

Last season, Daniels scored a career-best 11.2 points per game while averaging 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game for the Seattle Sonics . He averaged 13.8 points and 4.5 assists per game in 11 playoff games last season, including 17.8 points and 3.0 assists per game in six games against the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference Semifinals.

He joins the Wizards after spending the past two seasons with Seattle, where he averaged 9.6 points, 4.2 assists and 2.2 rebounds per game. Daniels ranked second in the NBA in assists per turnover (3.96) last season in helping the Sonics win the Northwest Division and secure the third seed in the 2005 Western Conference Playoffs. One season earlier, Daniels led the NBA in assists per turnover with almost five assists for every one turnover.

“Antonio is a tremendous competitor who brings veteran leadership and significant postseason experience to our team,” Head Coach Eddie Jordan said. “He is a very athletic guard who will be an asset for us on both ends of the court.”

In his eight-year NBA career, Daniels is averaging 7.8 points, 3.3 assists and 1.8 rebounds per game. Daniels has participated in 59 postseason games, averaging 8.5 points and 2.3 assists per game for Seattle, Portland and San Antonio, where he won an NBA World Championship in 1999.

In Washington, Daniels will participate in a ticket-incentive program called “Antonio’s Entourage” in which he will purchase a section of seats for Washington-area youth to attend Wizards games this season.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Tuesday, August 2

Washington signed guard Antonio Daniels.

Houston signed forward Stromile Swift.

Boston signed forward Brian Scalabrine.

Memphis traded guard Bonzi Wells to Sacramento for guard Bobby Jackson and center Greg Ostertag; Utah traded guards Raul Lopez and Kirk Snyder and center Curtis Borchardt to Memphis for center Greg Ostertag.

Miami signed center Shaquille O'Neal to a contract extension.

New York signed center Jerome James.

Cleveland re-signed center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and signed guard Larry Hughes and forward Donyell Marshall.

New Orleans re-signed forward Bostjan Nachbar and signed guard Arvydas Macijauskas.

Los Angeles Lakers traded guard Chucky Atkins and Caron Butler to Washington for guard Laron Profit and forward Kwame Brown.

Philadelphia signed guards Willie Green and Kyle Korver and center Samuel Dalembert to contract extensions.

[ducks]

NEW ORLEANS -- Bostjan Nachbar re-signed with the Hornets on Tuesday after coming to New Orleans in a December trade with Houston and enjoying his best NBA season.

Also signing a free-agent contract was Lithuanian Olympic star Arvydas Macijauskas. He scored 24 points in a 104-96 loss to the United States in the bronze-medal game at the Athens Olympics. He also helped Lithuania upset the Americans 94-90 in the preliminary round. He has played professionally in Europe since age 16.

"Signing Bostjan and Arvydas today dramatically improves our team," general manager Allan Bristow said. "Adding them to our roster gives us an immediate boost in scoring and outside shooting, two areas we needed to address this offseason."

Agent Marc Fleisher said last month that Macijauskas settled on New Orleans because he will have an opportunity to contribute from the start.

Nachbar was selected by the Rockets with the 15th overall pick in the 2002 draft. Last season, the Slovenian averaged 7.0 points and 2.6 rebounds in 71 games with Houston and New Orleans. He averaged 8.1 points and 2.8 rebounds in his 55 games with the Hornets and led the team in 3-point field goal percentage (.371).

[ducks]

SAN ANTONIO -- Robert Horry, one of the NBA's best clutch 3-point shooters and the star of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, has signed a new contract to remain with the league champion San Antonio Spurs.

The Spurs also announced Tuesday the signing of Argentine forward Fabricio Oberto, who has played in Europe the past seven years.

Horry, who has won six championships with three teams, was San Antonio's top bench scorer in the playoffs averaging 9.3 points per game. He was on the floor during several critical junctures of the Spurs' seven-game triumph over the Pistons.

During the regular season, Horry averaged 6.0 points and 3.6 rebounds.

Horry, 34, will be going into his third year with the Spurs. He has played in the postseason in each of his 13 NBA seasons and is one of 12 players in league history with at least six championships.

The 6-foot-10 Oberto played with Spurs guard Manu Ginobili on the Argentine team that won the Olympic gold medal in Athens last year. He broke his right hand in the semifinal win over the United States and did not play in the championship game against Italy.

He would be the sixth member of Argentina's gold-medal team to play in the NBA, joining Ginobili, Andres Nocioni, Carlos Delfino, Pepe Sanchez and Ruben Wolkowyski.

Oberto, 30, played five pro seasons in Argentina before he joined Olympiakos Pireus in Greece in 1998. Since 1999 he has played in Spain, first for Tau Ceramica and then Pamesa Valencia. He averaged 14.2 points and 7.3 rebounds for Pamesa Valencia in 2004-05 and led the Spanish League by shooting 65.4 percent from the floor.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Dallas signed forward Josh Powell.

Phoenix traded center Jake Voskuhl to Charlotte for a conditional 2007 second-round pick.

Sacramento traded a future second-round pick to Charlotte for forward Jason Hart.

New Jersey traded a 2006 first-round pick to Portland for forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim.

[Kori Ellis]

Kori, what happened at the press conference?

They just announced the Horry/Oberto signings -- Oberto and RC said a couple things and that's it. Nothing major.

[danyel]

Sacramento traded a future second-round pick to Charlotte for forward Jason Hart.

Why couldnt the Spurs do this? Jason would be great as 3rd PG.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

Why couldn't they do it? They've already got three point guards, 4 if you let Manu run some at point.

[danyel]

yeah, I know. I just like Hart better than Wilks, especially if Beno inst feeling it some nights.

Wilks hasnt signed back yet or has he?

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I was talking about Brent Barry as the third (and possibly second) PG.

Parker/Barry/Beno

[timvp]

Why couldnt the Spurs do this? Jason would be great as 3rd PG.

The Kings had a trade exception. The Spurs would have had to trade back a player.

[Pistons < Spurs]

recap of all transactions that took place yesterday:

Tuesday, August 2

Washington signed guard Antonio Daniels.

Houston signed forward Stromile Swift.

Boston signed forward Brian Scalabrine.

Sacramento traded guard Bobby Jackson and center Greg Ostertag to Memphis for guard Bonzi Wells; Memphis traded center Greg Ostertag to Utah for guard Raul Lopez and guards Jason Williams and Andre Emmett and forward James Posey to Miami for guard Eddie Jones; Miami traded guard Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to forward Albert Miralles, two second-round picks and cash to Boston for forward Antoine Walker; New Orleans traded the draft rights to center Roberto Dueñas to Miami for forward Rasual Butler; Utah traded guard Kirk Snyder to New Orleans and center Curtis Borchardt to Boston.

Sacramento signed guard Ronnie Price.

Miami signed center Shaquille O'Neal to a contract extension and re-signed forward Udonis Haslem.

New York signed center Jerome James.

Cleveland re-signed center Zydrunas Ilgauskas and signed guard Larry Hughes and forward Donyell Marshall.

New Orleans re-signed forward Bostjan Nachbar and signed guard Arvydas Macijauskas.

Los Angeles Lakers traded guard Chucky Atkins and Caron Butler to Washington for guard Laron Profit and forward Kwame Brown; signed guard Smush Parker.

Philadelphia signed guard Kyle Korver and center Samuel Dalembert to contract extensions.

Dallas signed forward Josh Powell.

San Antonio re-signed forward Robert Horry and signed center Fabricio Oberto.

Phoenix traded center Jake Voskuhl to Charlotte for a conditional 2007 second-round pick.

Sacramento traded a future second-round pick to Charlotte for forward Jason Hart.

New Jersey traded a 2006 first-round pick to Portland for forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim

[Pistons < Spurs]

Magic Sign Dooling To Three-Year Deal
3rd August, 2005 - 2:20 pm
Magic Press Release - The Orlando Magic have signed free agent guard Keyon Dooling, President/CEO Bob Vander Weide announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.

“Keyon (Dooling) brings additional athleticism to our team,” said Assistant General Manager Otis Smith. “He adds the depth we needed in our backcourt and even more versatility to our roster. We’re happy to add Keyon to our team.”

Dooling (6’3”, 195, 5/8/80) played in 74 games last season with Miami, averaging 5.2 ppg., 1.8 apg. and 1.2 rpg. in 16.0 minpg. He also appeared in all 15 playoff outings with the Heat, averaging 7.3 ppg., 1.7 apg. and 1.1 rpg. in 17.6 minpg., while shooting 49.4 percent (43-87) from the field. Dooling led the Heat in scoring once and in assists four times during the regular season.

“Signing Keyon (Dooling) gives us size at the guard position and helps solidify our backcourt,” said Head Coach Brian Hill. “He brings experience and athleticism to our team and we are proud to have him as part of the Magic family.”

[Pistons < Spurs]

Hawks Sign Zaza, Bucks Have Seven Days To Match
3rd August, 2005 - 1:55 pm
Hawks Press Release - The Atlanta Hawks today signed restricted free agent center Zaza Pachulia to an offer sheet, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight. Per club policy, terms of the offer were not disclosed. According to the NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Milwaukee Bucks will have seven days from today to match the offer sheet.

A two-year NBA veteran, the 6-11, 240-pound Pachulia averaged 6.2 ppg and 5.1 rpg in 18.9 mpg last season (.452 FG%, .644 FT%), appearing in 74 contests for Milwaukee. He spent his rookie campaign (2003-04) with Orlando, averaging 3.3 ppg and 2.9 rpg in 11.3 mpg (59 games).

He was originally drafted in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Magic. Following his season in Orlando, he was selected by Charlotte in the 2004 Expansion Draft, then acquired by the Bucks for a 2004 second-round draft choice.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Rush Re-Signs With Bobcats
3rd August, 2005 - 5:44 am
Charlotte Observer - Shooting guard, Kareem Rush will re-sign with the Charlotte Bobcats , his agent told the Observer in an email.

Calvin Andrews, Rush's California-based agent said his client's first priority was the Bobcats although Andrews also spoke with the Denver Nuggets and New Jersey Nets .

Rush started for the Bobcats last season before injuring his knee and missing the last month of the season. The Bobcats acquired him in a mid-season trade with the Los Angeles Lakers

[ducks]

Atlanta signs Zaza Pachulia.

New Orleans re-signs Chris Andersen.

Orlando signs Keyon Dooling.

[Taking it to the Hole]

Does anybody know what happened to Damon Jones on that list? Wasn't he a restricted free agent of Miami's? Did Miami resign him or did he sign with somebody else?

[Rescueone]

Cliff Robinson re-signs with New Jersey.

[Kori Ellis]

76ers sign undrafted free agents Gai, Randolph
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia 76ers signed undrafted free agents Shavlik Randolph and Deng Gai on Friday.

Randolph, a 6-foot-10 forward, played in 92 career games with Duke and averaged 6.3 points and 4.3 rebounds. He also averaged 1.4 blocks per game and finished seventh on Duke's career blocked shots list with 129.

An early entry in the 2005 NBA draft, Randolph was a part of two ACC championship teams (2003, 2005) and one Final Four squad (2004) as a Blue Devil.

Gai, a 6-foot-9 forward, was a three-time MAAC defensive player of the year at Fairfield.


Wizards Re-Sign Forward Michael Ruffin
August 5, 2005

Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has re-signed forward Michael Ruffin. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.


Raptors sign international PG CalderonSportsTicker
National Basketball Association News Wire

TORONTO - The Toronto Raptors signed Spanish point guard Jose Calderon on Thursday.

[Kori Ellis]

Does anybody know what happened to Damon Jones on that list? Wasn't he a restricted free agent of Miami's? Did Miami resign him or did he sign with somebody else?

Nobody has signed him yet.

[Kori Ellis]

Associated Press


SEATTLE -- Free agent guard Rick Brunson signed with the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday, his seventh different team in a seven-year NBA career.

Terms of the deal were not released. Brunson played with the Los Angeles Clippers last season, but had his rights renounced by the team Wednesday.

"Rick's playmaking ability, ball handling skills and size make him a nice complement for our team," Seattle general manager Rick Sund said in a statement. "He is a true point guard and I think he and Luke Ridnour will give us a good tandem at that position."

After never playing more than 59 games in a season, Brunson appeared in 80 games last year for the Clippers. The 6-foot-4 Temple graduate averaged 5.5 points and was ninth in the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Brunson previously played for Portland, New York, Boston, Chicago and Toronto. He started his career with the Trail Blazers in 1997.

Brunson should take Antonio Daniels' role as the back up to Ridnour. Daniels recently signed a five-year, $30 million deal with the Washington Wizards.

[Marcus Bryant]

Would've been a nice 3rd PG for IR.

[Kori Ellis]

What's funny is that he'll probably be their 2nd PG behind Luke.

[Marcus Bryant]

The Sonics really hit the skids this offseason.

[Kori Ellis]

That's okay though. It's good that they are losing a lot of players for someone I know. :)

[Marcus Bryant]

Yeah, he's gonna have to carry more of the load. What's going to be funny is how quick he drops the 'team leader' schtick he had going on last season now that he's been paid.

[tlongII]

Rick Brunson is terrible.

[Kori Ellis]

Rockets re-sign free agent Bowen
Associated Press

HOUSTON -- The Houston Rockets have re-signed free agent Ryan Bowen, team officials said Friday.

Bowen, a 6-9, 220-pound forward, averaged 1.7 points and 1.2 rebounds in 66 games last year, his first with the Rockets.

"It's great to have Ryan back with the Rockets," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said in a news release. "Ryan is one of those high-energy players that all coaches like to have on their roster."

Terms of his contract were not available.

[picnroll]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/schilly/2de16c82.jpg

Run, it's the police.

[Kori Ellis]

Rookie Marshall signs with Mavs

DALLAS (AP) -- Rookie free agent Rawle Marshall signed with the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

Marshall, a 6-foot-7 swingman, averaged almost 20 points and eight rebounds as a senior at Oakland University last season.

A native of Guyana, Marshall played five games with the Mavericks during its summer league, averaging 10.6 points and three rebounds.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

[Sense]

I think Rick just knows how to pass...

Other than that, he can't do shit.

[bigbendbruisebrother]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v123/schilly/2de16c82.jpg

Run, it's the police.

:lol

That's priceless.

[spurschick]

Simmons introduced as the Milwaukee Bucks' newest member
COLIN FLY
Associated Press

ST. FRANCIS, Wis. - Bobby Simmons' son, 5-year-old Bakari, walked down the hall of the Milwaukee Bucks training facility looking at pictures of the players.

"Where's daddy?" he asked.

The Bucks hope Simmons is on the wall very soon, because he's planning on being with the team a long time.

Simmons, the NBA's most improved player last season, was formally introduced Monday as the Bucks' newest member after signing a five-year agreement worth $47 million.

"It means a great deal to my family," said Simmons, 25. "I think it's a great fit as far as having a young nucleus of guys who want to win and play hard every night."

Simmons described the Bucks as an organization that wants to change and play hard. The former Los Angeles Clippers swingman averaged 16.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season, his first as a starter.

"I feel we reached out and stole a Clipper," said general manager Larry Harris.

There is no guarantee Simmons will be a starter again this year, but he pointed to San Antonio Spur Manu Ginobili as a player who came off the bench to help the team.

Agent Mark Bartelstein said the new contract capped a long journey for Simmons.

"It's a wonderful day for Bobby," he said. "He's very excited and put in a lot of hard work through the backroads of the NBDL (National Basketball Development League) to get to this point."

Simmons, a Chicago native, played in DePaul before Seattle picked him in the second round of the 2001 draft. Simmons was traded draft night to Washington, where he played sparingly before being released during the 2002-03 season.

Simmons played the rest of that season in the NBDL before making the Clippers the following season.

"(Being cut) leaves a scar, but I covered it up and it healed," he said. "Fortunately, going to the Clippers I had a chance to play and showcase my skills and I benefited from it."

Now the Bucks should reap the benefits after finishing 30-52 last year and firing Terry Porter in June.

As part of the team's rebuilding, the Bucks selected Andrew Bogut with the first pick in the NBA draft, and agreed to terms with Michael Redd on a six-year deal worth at least $90 million.

Then Dan Gadzuric decided to return for $36 million over six years and Toni Kukoc signed for three more. Also coming back is a T.J. Ford, who missed all of last season after a spinal cord bruise that required surgery.

"This is Day One, as far as I'm concerned," Harris said. "It's certainly a breath of fresh air for the Milwaukee Bucks organization."

[Manu20]

Updated: Aug. 8, 2005, 7:42 PM ET
Heat sign Earl Barron to back up Shaq
Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2129096

MIAMI -- Earl Barron missed an opportunity to play against Shaquille O'Neal a year ago, when the Orlando Magic cut him from their training camp just before facing the Miami Heat in a preseason game.

This year, Barron will finally get to see O'Neal -- this time, as a teammate.

The 7-foot forward-center who played college ball at Memphis has signed a one-year, partially guaranteed contract with the Heat, who became enamored with his standout play for their summer league team that competed in Long Beach, Calif.

Heat president Pat Riley even called Barron "the best player" in that league.

"It's kind of crazy to hear he said that," Barron said Monday, when the Heat introduced him and announced his formal signing. "Everyone knows who Pat Riley is. He's one of the greatest coaches, if not the greatest coach in this game. For him to say such great words is remarkable. I'm just a guy from a small town who never thought I'd hear praises from him about me."

Barron, who grew up in Clarksdale, Miss., has been on a bit of a basketball odyssey since leaving Memphis, which he helped capture the 2002 NIT title. He's played for Huntsville in the NBA's developmental league, plus had overseas stints in Turkey and the Philippines.

He was only a few days removed from the end of his season in the Philippines when joining Miami's summer team. If he was weary, Barron didn't show it.

He averaged 17.4 points on 65.2 percent shooting from the field, 83.7 percent from the line during the seven-game summer season. He also had 7.6 rebounds per game -- and his averages were hurt by a zero-point, zero-rebound, foul-plagued game midway through the summer.

"I know I can score. I'm real gifted offensively," Barron said. "I needed to focus on my rebounding, and I think I did that."

Barron's success has been a pleasant surprise to his college coach, John Calipari, who said last week that his former center "proved me wrong."

"My first thought was for him to go overseas, make $5 or $6 million over his career, then come home and do whatever he wants," Calipari told the Memphis Commercial Appeal. "But he chose the unconventional way, the NBDL, which is hard. But he did it."

Calipari was out of the country Monday, vacationing with family, and unavailable for further comment, according to a Memphis spokesman.

Already, Barron is settling into his new home. He appeared at Little River Elementary School on Monday along with teammates Wayne Simien and Dorell Wright, handing out school supplies and welcoming kids back for their first day of classes.

And soon, he'll start working out in earnest with the full roster _ including O'Neal and presumably Alonzo Mourning, who has not publicly announced if he's returning or retiring.

"Those are two of the best centers to play the game," Barron said. "That really hasn't sunk in yet, but when they get here, it'll be a shock, a little dream come true for me."

[Manu20]

Updated: Aug. 9, 2005, 12:50 AM ET
Hawks sign Pachulia after Bucks decline offer sheet
ESPN.com news services

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2129262

Atlanta Hawks: Zaza Pachulia joined the Hawks on Monday after the Milwaukee Bucks declined to match a four-year, $16 million offer sheet.

The 21-year-old Pachulia, a 6-foot-11 center from Tbilisi, Georgia, was a restricted free agent. He averaged 6.2 points and 5.1 rebounds for the Bucks as a backup last season.

He spent his 2003-04 rookie season with Orlando, where he averaged 11 minutes, 3.3 points and 2.9 rebounds. He was drafted by the Magic in the second round in 2003.

After his rookie season, Pachulia was selected by Charlotte in the 2004 expansion draft and then was acquired by the Bucks for a 2004 second-round draft choice.

[Kori Ellis]

Paxson expects to keep Duhon
GM will likely match offer from Raptors

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-050808bulls,1,2836740.story?coll=cs-bulls-headlines&ctrack=1&cset=true

By Marlen Garcia
Tribune staff reporter

Chris Duhon has signed an offer sheet with the Toronto Raptors , but in all likelihood the Bulls restricted free agent will suit up at the United Center this fall, Bulls general manager John Paxson said Monday.

"It's highly likely that we will match the offer," Paxson said in a conference call with reporters. "Relatively, in the scheme of things, it's not a lengthy deal and it's money we've allocated for Chris."

The offer from Toronto is believed to be worth no more than $2.5 million a season for three years. Paxson's initial offer to Duhon was in the range of $6 million over three years.

Duhon could not be reached for comment. His agent, Bill Duffy, declined to comment on negotiations.

Under the new collective bargaining agreement, Paxson has a week to match the offer and probably will use all seven days to mull over the contract.

"It's in our best interests to wait out the week and analyze everything," he said. "As I've said all along, we're going to re-sign our guys."

Duhon's salary will be subtracted from the team's mid-level exception of $5 million, the rest of which Paxson will use to pursue a veteran free agent.

[Kori Ellis]

Sacramento signs Jamal Sampson
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Forward Jamal Sampson signed with the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, joining his fourth team in four NBA seasons.

Sampson played one season at California before entering the NBA draft. He appeared in 23 games with Charlotte last season, averaging 3.4 points and 5.3 rebounds before being waived. He missed significant amounts of playing time because of various injuries.

Sampson also played for Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Lakers.

[tempest186]

I can't access it but other sites are saying that according to Hoopsworld, the Nets acquired Marc Jackson for a 2nd round pick and the Nets trade exception

[timvp]

I can't access it but other sites are saying that according to Hoopsworld, the Nets acquired Marc Jackson for a 2nd round pick and the Nets trade exception

Hmmm.. Interesting.

[Manu20]

Nets Get Jackson From Sixers

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2129971

The Nets acquired forward Marc Jackson and cash considerations from the 76ers, team president Rod Thorn announced Tuesday. In exchange for the five-year veteran, Philadelphia received future draft considerations.
"We are pleased to add Marc to our roster," said Thorn. "He is a solid frontcourt player who will add length, toughness and depth to our frontline rotation."

The 6-foot-10 Jackson averaged 12.0 points and 5.0 rebounds in 81 games for Philadelphia last season.

[Manu20]

Updated: Aug. 9, 2005, 2:58 PM ET
Timberwolves re-sign 'Mad Dog'
Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2129662

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves signed forwards Mark Madsen and Nikoloz Tskitishvili on Tuesday.

Madsen, a free agent who had spent the two previous seasons in Minnesota, signed a five-year contract. The terms of Tskitishvili's deal were not disclosed.

Madsen agreed to terms with the Timberwolves in July, but a deal couldn't be announced officially until Aug. 1. He carved a niche on the team with his tireless effort and boundless energy.

"Mark brings so much more to a team than just statistics," Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale said. "First and foremost, he brings energy, and a tremendous work ethic. Plus, he is a good teammate and a great guy to have in the locker room."

Madsen, 6-foot-9 and 245 pounds, is recovering from surgery in March to repair a ruptured ligament in his shooting wrist.

Madsen spent his first three NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers after a standout career at Stanford. He averaged 2.1 points, 3.1 rebounds and 14.7 minutes last season, appearing in only 41 games. A broken thumb sidelined him about six weeks and then the ruptured ligament kept him out the rest of the season.

The 7-foot Tskitishvili spent his first two-and-a-half seasons in the league with Denver before finishing last year with Golden State.

He's averaged 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in his career, but impressed the Timberwolves at their summer camp before breaking his right hand.

[Manu20]

Aug. 9, 2005, 11:21PM
Barry to agree to one-year deal
Rockets seeking to sign Mutombo for last two years

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/3303912

By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

Describing signing with the Rockets as no more than a formality, guard Jon Barry returned to Houston on Tuesday and said he expected to this week sign a one-year deal that could complete his career.

I'm just waiting to sign the contract," Barry said while indicating that the only remaining issue is setting up a time to sign the deal while moving to Houston this week.

The Rockets are close to completing a deal to bring back center Dikembe Mutombo, Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said.

Mutombo, who had been vacationing in Europe and did not return to the United States until late Monday, said Tuesday that he had not yet spoken to his agent David Falk and did not know where contract talks stood.

But as he has said since last season, Mutombo reiterated that his desire is to return.

"I hope things work out to come back to Houston," Mutombo said. "My plan is to play two more years and then retire. I'm not asking too much. I'm hopeful it will work out with the Rockets. I think it will."

Falk was unavailable for comment on the details of Mutombo's contract talks.

Barry, meanwhile, left no doubt about where he stands.

"I want this to be the last stop of my career," Barry said. "I came in here and got a shot of adrenaline. It's a great team, the best staff I've ever had and one of the best groups of guys I've ever been around. I'm excited about doing it again.

"If we stay healthy, we have as good a team as anybody."

[CaptainLate]

Aug. 9, 2005, 11:21PM
Barry to agree to one-year deal
Rockets seeking to sign Mutombo for last two years

Barry, meanwhile, left no doubt about where he stands.

"I want this to be the last stop of my career," Barry said. "I came in here and got a shot of adrenaline. It's a great team, the best staff I've ever had and one of the best groups of guys I've ever been around. I'm excited about doing it again.

"If we stay healthy, we have as good a team as anybody."

I'd say Jon is dissing his Bling-wearing brother's teammates. We'll have to spank them next season.

[Manu20]

Pacers Sign Free Agent Jasikevicius

http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/jasikevicius_signs_050811.html

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 11 -- The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have signed free agent guard Sarunas Jasikevicius to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract were not revealed.
“We are very excited that Sarunas decided to sign with the Pacers,” said Larry Bird, President of Basketball Operations. “It means a lot to the franchise to have him as a member of our team. I think this is a good situation for him and it helps our team tremendously.”

“I am very happy to be here and very excited,” said Jasikevicius. “I am looking forward to this experience.”

Jasikevicius, a 6-4, 197-pound guard from Lithuania, has played the previous two seasons in Israel for Maccabi Elite Tel Aviv. He led the team to its second consecutive “Triple Crown,” winning the Premier League title, the Israeli Cup title and the championship of the Euroleague. The Premier League title was his fifth straight league title with three different teams in three different countries. In 93 games over five seasons in Euroleague competition, Jasikevicius has averaged 14.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.

Jasikevicius played collegiate ball at the University of Maryland, averaging 7.6 ppg and 2.3 apg, making four consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament. He finished his career at Maryland ranking third in school history in 3-pt FG made (136) and attempted (363). In his only season at Solanco High School in Quarryville, Penn., he averaged 20.5 ppg.

[Bruno]

Magic Waive Christie

http://www.nba.com/magic/

Magic Waive Doug Christie
The Orlando Magic have waived guard Doug Christie. The team also announced that Christie will be designated as the team’s amnesty player, as allowed in the new collective bargaining agreement.

[sa_butta]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/081205dnspohunter.6433d015.html

Source: Mavs agree with veteran Christie


Swingman could bring defensive presence, help replace Finley


12:50 AM CDT on Friday, August 12, 2005

By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News

Even before reluctantly parting with Michael Finley by trade or waivers, the Mavericks have found a replacement.

The team has reached an oral agreement with veteran swingman Doug Christie on a one-year, $3 million deal, a source said. Christie, 35, was waived Thursday by the Orlando Magic as part of the NBA's luxury-tax amnesty provision.

Before Christie officially becomes a Maverick, he must wait seven days to clear waivers, according to league rules. It is unlikely any team will claim Christie and his $8.2 million salary, making him an unrestricted free agent who could then sign with the Mavericks on Wednesday.

Doug Christie bio, statistics ("]Mavericks[/url] [url="http://www.forecaster.info/dallasnews/basketball/player.cgi?0071)

Tell Us: Thumbs up or thumbs down? (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/basketball/mavs/stories/081205dnspohunter.6433d015.html#)



Christie's agent, Bradley Marshall, declined comment other than to say than Christie and his wife, Jackie, would be visiting Dallas soon to meet with the Mavericks.

If Christie is healthy and happy, he could be a key acquisition and address a targeted need for the Mavericks.

He was always a top candidate for all-defensive team honors in Sacramento, a point of emphasis under Mavericks coach Avery Johnson. And Christie has played in 58 career playoff games and could provide the Mavericks with locker room leadership.

Some of his skills could particularly help the Mavericks. At 6-6, Christie could be used against San Antonio's talented Manu Ginobili. But in Sacramento, he was versatile enough to bother smaller point guards such as Phoenix's Steve Nash or San Antonio's Tony Parker.

While a natural swingman offensively, Christie handles the ball well enough to play point guard. That could allow the Mavericks to use Jason Terry as a shooting guard in some situations.

One concern is the decrease in Christie's production after Sacramento traded him to Orlando in January for Michael Bradley and Cuttino Mobley. Christie's production and playing time decreased dramatically in Orlando.

A career 11.4 point-per-game scorer, Christie averaged 5.7 points in 21 games for Orlando, shooting 36 percent from the field.

A foot injury forced him onto the injured list in March. But he underwent successful surgery to remove bone spurs following the season.

Although a different kind of player, Christie would give the Mavericks a veteran who could immediately fill Finley's lineup spot. The Mavericks are expected to waive Finley under the luxury-tax amnesty clause Monday if they can't work out a trade beforehand.

While they landed Christie, the Mavericks saw 7-foot center Stephen Hunter sign a five-year, $16.5 million contract in Philadelphia. The Mavericks sought Hunter as a backup to Erick Dampier, but he chose Philadelphia because of the long-term contract and the promise of additional playing time.

One name left on market is DeSagana Diop, another interesting 7-footer. Diop, 23 and the eighth pick in the 2001 draft, is a restricted free agent unlikely to be retained by Cleveland.

[Manu20]

Updated: Aug. 11, 2005, 8:13 PM ET
Former North Carolina star to back up Kidd
Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2131894

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Jeff McInnis signed a two-year deal with the New Jersey Nets on Thursday to back up Jason Kidd.

"I still think I am a starter in this league," McInnis said by telephone from Charlotte, N.C. "The short-term contract will give me an opportunity to be a starter in this league, whether with New Jersey or not."

The former 30-year-old North Carolina star said he's looking forward to a fresh start after a tumultuous exit from Cleveland. He was benched by coach Paul Silas on March 20 for a game in Toronto, a day before Silas was fired and replaced by assistant coach Brendan Malone.

McInnis did not accompany the team to its final regular-season game, also in Toronto, because of an unspecified and unexplained "viral syndrome." The day before, at a game in Boston, he remained in the locker room for part of third quarter and sat on the bench for the rest of the game with a towel wrapped around his head.

The Cavaliers finished the season with a 42-40 record and missed out on the final Eastern Conference playoff spot in a tiebreaker with the Nets.

"The Cleveland thing is in the past," McInnis said. "I'm just happy go be a Net. I just want to move forward."

McInnis has averaged 10.6 points and 4.6 assists in eight seasons with Denver, Washington, the Los Angeles Clippers, Portland and Cleveland. Last year with the Cavaliers, he averaged 12.8 points and 5.1 assists.

Nets President Rod Thorn has said McInnis will back up Kidd at point guard and also play shooting guard, a prospect McInnis said was appealing.

"Playing behind Jason Kidd, or just to go against him every day in practice, you can learn," McInnis said. "I'm really excited about it."

McInnis qualifies as the Nets' major offseason acquisition after a deal for Portland forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim fell apart when Abdur-Rahim failed a physical. On Tuesday, New Jersey used the trade exception it had planned to use in that deal to acquire 76ers forward Marc Jackson instead.

The team also re-signed veteran forward Cliff Robinson, who played in 29 games for the Nets last season after being acquired from Golden State midway through the season.

[Manu20]

Bucks Re-Sign Michael Redd

http://www.nba.com/bucks/news/Redd_Signs_050813.html

August 13, 2005 - The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed free agent guard Michael Redd to a multi-year contract, General Manager Larry Harris announced today. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Obviously, it’s an exciting day for Michael and his family,” said Harris. “And it’s an exciting day for our organization. Michael has established himself as an all-star and one of the premiere players in the league, and we feel that he’s going to accomplish much more in the upcoming years.”

“This was something that we felt was going to happen ever since the start of last season, when we knew Michael was going to be a free agent,” added Harris. “Today’s signing is definitely the culmination of everything we’ve done this off-season.”

Redd, 25, has spent his entire five-year NBA career with the Bucks after being selected 43rd overall in the 2000 NBA Draft. He averaged a career-high and team-high 23.0 points in 2004-05 (11th in the NBA), the fifth consecutive year he has increased his scoring average, and led the Bucks in scoring 50 times. Not since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1974-75) has a Bucks player led the team in scoring 50 or more times in one season. Redd crossed the 30-point mark 14 times and reached double figures in 71 of the 75 games he played in. He also led the team in three-pointers made (104) and free throw percentage (.854).

An all-star in 2004, Redd currently ranks high in many of Milwaukee’s all-time franchise rankings, including: three-point field goals made (501, 2nd); three-point field goal percentage (.394, 4th); scoring average (17.7, 10th); and points (5,520, 16th).

“I’m very happy for Michael,” said Head Coach Terry Stotts. “He’s worked very hard to get to this point in his career, meeting every challenge along the way. He’s one of the hardest working players I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and he has the character to match. I’m confident he’ll embrace the responsibility given to him and help lead this team back into the playoffs.”

After playing on and off during his first two years in the league, Redd played in a full 82 games during the 2002-03 season and was the runner-up for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award after averaging 15.1 points in 28.2 minutes per game. He had an all-star year in 2003-04 while averaging 21.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 82 games.

“This is one of the greatest days of my life,” said Redd. “To be able to stay where my career began is a blessing. I’m so humbled that Milwaukee would even think of me in this manner.”

[coz]

Haven't seen it posted, sorry if duplicate
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2132889


Former Blazer finally finds a new home

When the New Jersey Nets decided they didn't want Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the Sacramento Kings eagerly grabbed him.


Abdur-Rahim




The Kings signed Abdur-Rahim to a multiyear contract Friday, three days after the Nets rescinded a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers because of medical concerns about the nine-year veteran's right knee.


The Kings, who bid for the free agent's services earlier in the summer, wasted no time reasserting their interest. They quickly closed a deal, locking up a 28-year-old power forward who has racked up impressive statistics and made plenty of money, but never reached the playoffs.


"The biggest thing for me was trying to get on a team that had a chance to win and win big," Abdur-Rahim said. "That's what I want to try and do for the rest of my career. The guys that are already here are accustomed to winning and competing at a high level. I'm looking forward to coming in and being a part of it. It's a nice fit for me here."


Abdur-Rahim, who made more than $14 million last season in Portland, took a pay cut to join the Kings, who have made the postseason seven straight times and won 50 games in five straight seasons. Because the Kings already are over the salary cap, he is expected to be paid the NBA's midlevel exception, worth about $5 million next season.


Abdur-Rahim has averaged 19.9 points and 8.1 rebounds in a career with Vancouver, Atlanta and Portland, but he doesn't want to go down in league history as the archetypal good player on bad teams. His playoff drought seems likely to end with the Kings, who added him to a starting lineup that now could be one of the NBA's strongest.


But until early this week, he thought he would be playing alongside Jason Kidd and Vince Carter in New Jersey.


"The only thing I can tell you is that I'm healthy," Abdur-Rahim said. "I guess [the Nets] did their physical and found something that made them uncomfortable. I've never missed games or practices because of my knees, so like I said, their concerns came out of the blue to me."


Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of basketball operations, moved swiftly to complete the latest move in his yearlong makeover of the franchise, which has parted ways with Chris Webber, Vlade Divac, Doug Christie, Cuttino Mobley and Bobby Jackson since last summer. With Abdur-Rahim in town, Maurice Evans and Darius Songaila now are likely to leave as free agents.


Petrie said the Kings' medical staff shares none of the Nets' concerns about Abdur-Rahim's knees. Abdur-Rahim missed 22 games last season with an elbow injury -- the first time he missed more than five games in an NBA season.


"We think he'll improve our team in areas where we wanted to get better and give us dimensions on the [low] block," Petrie said. "He has not only been a high-caliber player, but also a high-caliber citizen."


Sacramento acquired high-scoring guard Bonzi Wells in a trade with Memphis last week, and the Kings picked up guard Francisco Garcia in the draft. Abdur-Rahim joins a projected starting lineup with Wells, Mike Bibby -- Abdur-Rahim's former teammate in Vancouver -- Peja Stojakovic and Brad Miller, along with Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson, Brian Skinner and new signees Jason Hart and Jamal Sampson on the bench.


"I think we've been able to add pieces that are going to fit together well," coach Rick Adelman said. "The challenge this team has is that so many new players have to come together quickly. In talking with Shareef and the other players we have, we're all about trying to win as a team. I'm excited this worked out."


While Abdur-Rahim visited his list of potential new teams in recent weeks, he said the Kings were among his top two choices. His wife is from the San Francisco Bay area, about 90 miles west, and he played one collegiate season at California.


"Since college, I've always like this area," Abdur-Rahim said. "I spent two or three years after college here in the offseason, so if I have a second home other than Atlanta, it would be here."

[Manu20]

Updated: Aug. 15, 2005, 2:20 PM ET
Duhon stays with Bulls after they match Raptors' offer
Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2134818

The Chicago Bulls announced Monday they have matched the contract offer to restricted free agent guard Chris Duhon by the Toronto Raptors.

Per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. The Raptors had made their offer August 9.

"Chris was an integral part of our success last season and we're excited to have him back," said John Paxson, the Bulls' executive vice president of basketball operations.

"The opportunity to retain our continuity and see our young team grow together has been a key offseason focus for us, and this is a step in that direction," he said.

Drafted by Chicago in the second round (38th overall) of NBA Draft 2004, the 6-1, 185-pound Duhon was one of only two Bulls to appear in all 82 games during the 2004-05 season, including 73 starts.

The 6-1, 195 pound guard averaged 5.9 ppg, 4.9 apg (NBA rookie-high), 2.6 rpg, 1.00 spg and 26.5 mpg. He also appeared in all six of Chicago's playoff games in 2005 and posted 6.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 3.5 apg and 26.5 mpg.

[Manu20]

Wizards Sign Hiram Fuller and Donell Taylor
Team signs forward Fuller, guard Taylor after Summer League success
August 16, 2005

http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/fuller_taylor050816.html


Washington Wizards President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has signed forward Hiram Fuller and guard Donell Taylor. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We were really encouraged by both Hiram’s and Donell’s performances during Summer League play,” Grunfeld said. “We have watched both of them develop as players, and we’re pleased to add them to our roster.”

Fuller, a 6-9 forward out of Fresno State, averaged 7.0 points and a team-high 7.2 rebounds per game for the Wizards during the 2005 Reebok Vegas Summer League in July. A 2004-05 All-NBDL First Team selection, Fuller saw four games of NBA action with the Atlanta Hawks in 2003-04.

Taylor, an undrafted rookie free agent, led the Wizards in scoring during Summer League play with 13.6 points per game. Taylor played collegiately at UAB, where he earned second team All-Conference USA honors after averaging a team-best 15.5 points per game in his senior campaign. As a junior, Donell and his twin brother, Ronell, led the Blazers to the 2004 NCAA Tournament and a second round upset of the Kentucky Wildcats.

[Kori Ellis]

Nuggets sign Schenscher
Associated Press
National Basketball Association News Wire

DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets signed rookie free agent Luke Schenscher Thursday.

Terms were not released.

Schenscher, a 7-foot-1 center, averaged 7.3 points and 5.4 rebounds in four years at Georgia Tech. He helped lead the school in its surprise run to the NCAA Finals in 2004, averaging 14 points and 11.5 rebounds in the playoffs.

He ranks fifth all-time at Georgia Tech with 157 blocked shots.

[Kori Ellis]

Bucks sign guard Charlie Bell
Associated Press
National Basketball Association News Wire

MILWAUKEE -- Guard Charlie Bell signed a multiyear contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday after leading the Spanish league in scoring last season.

Bell, who went undrafted out of Michigan State, played for the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks in 2001-02.

The 6-foot-3 guard spent three seasons in Italy, leading all scorers in 2003-04 with 25.5-point average for Livorno. He was tops in Spain last season, averaging 27 points for Breogan.

"Charlie is an explosive scorer who can play both the point and two-guard positions," Bucks general manager Larry Harris said.

[Kori Ellis]

Suns Sign Irishman Pat Burke
18th August, 2005 - 4:13 pm

RealGM - The Phoenix Suns today signed veteran center Pat Burke, a former member of the NBA’s Orlando Magic .

The 6-11, 250-pound center has played seven of his eight professional seasons in Europe. Last season he played for Real Madrid, where his team won the 2004-05 ACB Spanish League Championship, and averaged 7.0 points and 4.2 rebounds on .511 shooting from the field in a combined 41 regular season and 19 playoff games.

Burke, 31, also won three consecutive Greek League Championships with Panathinaikos from 1998-2000 and has averaged 8.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 211 Euroleague career games.

A native of Dublin, Ireland and former member of the Irish National Team, he became the first Irish-born player to play in the NBA when he joined the Magic in 2002-03 and averaged 4.3 points and 2.4 rebounds in 62 games (eight starts).

[sa_butta]

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/37059/20050818/sixers_sign_louis_williams/
Sixers Sign Louis Williams18th August, 2005 - 5:45 pmPress Release - Philadelphia 76ers (http://sixers.realgm.com/) President Billy King announced today that the Sixers (http://sixers.realgm.com/) have signed Louis Williams, their 2005 Draft Pick (45th overall selection), to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the contract are not disclosed.

An early-entry candidate, Williams was named Mr. Basketball in Georgia as a junior and senior while attending South Gwinnett High School (Snellville, Ga.). The 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard tallied 3,338 points, 768 rebounds, 650 assists and 355 steals during his career, helping South Gwinnett post a 103-16 record. Last season, Williams received the Naismith Award, signifying the nation's top high school player and was named to the McDonald's All-America Team. Williams became the first high school player selected by the 76ers (http://sixers.realgm.com/) in the NBA Draft since Darryl Dawkins (1975, 1st round, 5th pick overall).

[Dos]

Grant says decision to join Suns an easy one
Posted: Thursday August 18, 2005 6:42PM; Updated: Thursday August 18, 2005 6:42PM

PHOENIX (AP) -- Free agent forward Brian Grant signed a one-year, $1.67 million contract Thursday with the Phoenix Suns.

The 11-year NBA veteran called the decision to go to the Suns a "no-brainer." He became the first of the players waived under the one-time "amnesty clause" to sign with another team.

Grant was given an option for a second year.

The Suns also signed 6-foot-11 center Pat Burke, who spent seven of the last eight seasons playing in Europe.

Grant has career averages of 10.7 points and 7.6 rebounds with Sacramento, Portland, Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers. The 6-9, 254-pound forward said the Suns and Chicago Bulls and showed the most interest.

While the Bulls could have been a good fit, Grant said, he quickly chose Phoenix because of the organization's reputation and what he believes is an opportunity to win an NBA title. When the Suns' Steve Nash called to sell the deal, Grant told him to save his breath.

"I knew he was going to start to tell me why I should come to Phoenix," Grant said. "But before he even got to it, I just said, 'Look, you don't have to really say anything. I'm coming.' I think somebody put in the paper, 'He had me at hello.' "

Grant played in 309 of 312 games from 2000 to 2004 with Miami. Then he went to the Lakers as part of the Shaquille O'Neal trade and suffered through an injury-hampered season. Bothered by a neck injury and knee tendinitis, he averaged career lows of 3.8 points and 3.7 rebounds in 69 games.

Grant, 33, believes, though, that the injuries are behind him and he can keep pace with the up-tempo style.

"We'll clean off the boards, then run down the court," he said.

Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[sa_butta]

Wolves, Wilkins agree on offer

http://www.twincities.com/images/common/spacer.gif
Team also interested in free agent Finley
http://www.twincities.com/images/common/spacer.gif
BY RICK ALONZO
http://www.twincities.com/images/common/spacer.gif
Pioneer Press
http://www.twincities.com/images/common/spacer.gif
The Timberwolves signed Seattle SuperSonics restricted free agent Damien Wilkins to a five-year, $15 million offer sheet Thursday.

Meanwhile, Wolves owner Glen Taylor confirmed that the team has an interest in free-agent shooting guard Michael Finley.

The question remains whether Minnesota would have the ability to add both players. The Wolves have about $3 million left of their midlevel salary cap exception, but that money could be tied up in the offer to Wilkins. Wilkins holds an option on the fifth year of the deal with Minnesota.

The Sonics can retain Wilkins, a 6-foot-6 forward, by matching the offer within seven days.

Wilkins' agent, Mark Bartelstein, said he was unsure whether Seattle would match the Wolves' offer.

"They've got a lot of perimeter players with Rashard Lewis and (Vladimir) Radmanovic and Ray Allen," Bartelstein said of the Sonics. "We think Minnesota is a great opportunity to come in a contribute right away."

Wilkins boosted his profile by averaging 7.8 points and 3.2 rebounds in last season's Western Conference semifinals against San Antonio.

Finley's agent, Henry Thomas, has talked with Wolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale about Finley's interest in Minnesota. Finley has also talked to all-star Kevin Garnett. General manager Jim Stack is involved, too.

"There are a lot of teams interested in Michael," Taylor said. "There are four or five teams Michael would consider. We're one of them. I wouldn't say for sure we're on the top of the list. I don't know that. I think what they're saying at this point is, 'We haven't made a decision, but you're one of the clubs we would consider.' "

Dallas tried to trade Finley before Monday night's amnesty provision deadline. The Mavericks settled on cutting Finley to save $51 million in luxury taxes over the next three years.

Taylor said Finley is not in a hurry to pick a new team. For Finley to play for Minnesota, he would have to accept less money than he could get from Miami or Detroit. Those clubs can offer their full $5 million midlevel exception.

The Wolves plan to add one or two more free agents in the coming weeks.

Other prospective Minnesota additions include guard Ronald Murray and forward Reggie Evans, who both played for Seattle last season. Memphis point guard Earl Watson is another possibility. The Wolves have only one true center under contract, so Milwaukee free agent Calvin Booth could be a low-budget target.

Still, the possibility of luring Finley remains enticing.

"If it gets really serious, I would get involved," Taylor said. "Both his agent and Michael say they need a little time. It isn't something that's going to happen in the next couple days.

"Ideally, in the next two weeks, it would be nice if we had another guy lined up."

Dallas proposed a trade involving Finley for Minnesota swingman Wally Szczerbiak and other Wolves to even out the salaries involved, a stipulation necessary for the deal to be approved. But Taylor said his team had no interest in taking on Finley's large contract.

"We didn't see a trade that would work out for us," Taylor said. "Dallas called us and just said if there's something that would work out, they were interested in trading him. He's paid more than everybody on our team except Kevin (Garnett), so it would be very difficult. I think they called 28 other teams, too."

Taylor said the Wolves did not initiate the trade talks involving Szczerbiak. He said the Mavericks made the inquiry and that the Wolves listened but the discussion never became serious.

Szczerbiak's name often comes up in trade discussions because he is a marketable player, Taylor said. Szczerbiak made the NBA all-star team in 2001-02, when he averaged 18.7 points a game, his career high.

Last season, Szczerbiak expressed his frustration with his role as a reserve. He did not seem averse to the idea of a trade if it meant he could start for another team.

"Any time anybody calls, they always talk about Wally," Taylor said. "They know we aren't going to trade Kevin. Wally is the more interesting person because he's such a good shooter. … We have not pursued anything or initiated anything with Wally."

[Kori Ellis]

Charlotte Bobcats re-sign Brevin Knight

Associated Press
Last updated: 12:00 p.m., Friday, August 19, 2005

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Brevin Knight re-signed with the Bobcats on Friday, giving Charlotte an experienced point guard as rookie Raymond Felton adjusts to the NBA.

Knight averaged 9.0 assists last season, second in the league. He is expected to lose his starting job to Felton, the fifth pick in the draft.

Knight, an unrestricted free agent, has spent nine seasons in the league, longer than any other Charlotte player. Cleveland drafted him in the first round in 1997, and he has played for seven teams since.

[Manu20]

Updated: Aug. 19, 2005, 4:19 PM ET
Christie expected to strengthen Dallas D
Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2138435

DALLAS -- Coach Avery Johnson expects veteran swingman Doug Christie to give Dallas the kind of stout perimeter defense it lacked in last year's NBA playoffs -- without slowing the Mavericks' high-scoring offense.

"We feel adding Doug Christie to our team is giving us the best chance to win a championship," Johnson said Friday, after the Mavericks announced they had signed the free agent to replace Michael Finley.

That's a lot of pressure for the 35-year-old, 6-foot-6 Christie, who struggled with injuries and averaged just 6.6 points per game last year with Sacramento and Orlando.

"I just kind of look at Orlando as a blip," Christie said. He said he is healthy again and picked Dallas over other suitors because he believes he can help a team that is already good.

"Obviously winning is big, obviously the chance for a championship is big, and when you take all of that into consideration with where I'm at in my career, this is a great fit," he said.

Terms of Christie's deal were not disclosed, although published reports said it was $3 million for one year with team and player options for additional seasons.

The Mavericks also announced that they signed 23-year-old DeSagana Diop to help back up the often-maligned Erick Dampier at center. Terms were not disclosed. Diop could replace Shawn Bradley, who is expected to retire.

Diop went straight from high school to the Cleveland Cavaliers with the eighth overall pick in the 2001 NBA draft, but the 7-foot, 280-pounder was lightly used in four seasons. He averaged just 1 point and 1.8 rebounds in 7.8 minutes per game last season.

The Mavericks tinkered with their roster -- also bringing back reserve point guard Darrell Armstrong and adding youngsters Josh Powell and Rawle Marshall -- rather than overhauling a Dirk Nowitzki-led team that finished the regular season 16-2 under Johnson.

"It didn't make any sense to blow this team up and have Dirk come back and not recognize any of his teammates," Johnson said.

The Mavericks are crowded at Christie's positions of shooting guard and small forward, including sixth man Jerry Stackhouse, late-season pickup Keith Van Horn and Josh Howard. Johnson said Christie's ball-handling and passing skills will help the offense by freeing point guard Jason Terry for more shots.

Mavs fans know Christie well from playoffs against Sacramento. Two years ago, the NBA fined the Mavericks for showing a scoreboard cartoon that mocked several Kings. It showed Christie being led on a leash by his wife.

Christie said he didn't see the video but heard about it from his wife, Jackie, who sat in the front row during Friday's news conference. She attends almost all his games. They exchange hand signals during games. Christie said fans shouldn't worry about their close relationship, which has been the subject of media reports.

Christie said he won't worry about replacing Finley, a fan favorite who was released to save $51 million in so-called luxury taxes.

"I'm not filling Fin's shoes ... he still works hard, he's a heckuva competitor and I loved playing against him," Christie said. "Hopefully at the end of my time here you guys will think the same of me, except with some jewelry."

[Kori Ellis]

C's: Bynum in, Dickau next?
By Steve Bulpett
Saturday, August 20, 2005 - Updated: 12:29 AM EST

http://celtics.bostonherald.com/celtics/view.bg?articleid=98856

The Celtics' point is becoming a more crowded place by the day. According to sources, the club is on the verge of signing 26-year-old veteran Dan Dickau.

Barring a trade to loosen the logjam, the 6-footer will be joined in training camp by holdovers Marcus Banks and Delonte West, second-round draft pick Orien Greene and rookie free agent Will Bynum, who was signed yesterday to a two-year contract (with a guarantee on just the first of those).

Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge had said he wanted to add some experience to the position, and the acquisition of Dickau will do that - barely. The Gonzaga product has been in the league three seasons and has been the property of six NBA teams, playing for four of them.

Dickau got his best chance last year after an early season move from Dallas to New Orleans. In 67 games for the Hornets, he started 46 and averaged 13.2 points and 5.2 assists in 31.0 minutes. He has career-highs of 28 points and 16 assists.

While the Celtics have included Banks in trade talks over the summer - mainly if it would help move an undesirable contract - it is quite possible they will begin camp with five point guards and see how the situation shakes out. One or more could then be dealt at a later time.

After deciding not to re-sign Gary Payton, the Celts found a modest stock of points on the free agent market. Those still available at the end of this week also included Earl Watson, Damon Jones and Brevin Knight.

As for Bynum, the 6-foot package of energy from Georgia Tech did well at the Vegas Summer League. He's been more of a scorer than a true point guard, but the Celtics liked his toughness and work ethic and believe he could grow into the position.

[Kori Ellis]

Timberwolves re-sign Griffin
New York, NY (Sports Network) - The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Monday they have re-signed forward Eddie Griffin. Terms of the deal were not released, per team policy.

Griffin averaged 7.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in his first season with the Timberwolves last year. Griffin appeared in 70 contests and ranked 15th in the NBA with 1.69 blocked shots per game.

"We were extremely pleased with Eddie's progress and development last season," said Timberwolves vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale. "He is a player who has a wealth of talent and potential, and we believe that he will continue to improve and become an impact player for us."

In 220 career games, including 90 starts, the 6-foot-10 forward has averaged 8.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.65 blocks per game. He also earned NBA All- Rookie second team honors with the Houston Rockets in 2001-02.

Griffin was selected by the Nets with the seventh pick of the 2001 NBA draft and then was dealt to Houston for the draft rights to forward Richard Jefferson, center Jason Collins and guard Brandon Armstrong.

He was waived by Houston in 2003 and signed as a free agent with the Nets in January, 2004 before signing with Minnesota last season.

[Kori Ellis]

Raptors Sign Matt Bonner

SportsNetwork

Toronto, ON -- The Toronto Raptors announced Monday that they have agreed to terms with forward Matt Bonner. As per team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

Toronto had extended a qualifying offer to Bonner on June 24, which made him a restricted free agent.

"We are very pleased to have Matt back with our team," said Raptors general manager Rob Babcock in a statement. "Matt is more than just a good basketball player. He is the consummate professional who places his team first and gives a total effort every night. His positive attitude carries off the court and into the community."

Bonner, 6-foot-10, averaged 7.2 points and 3.5 rebounds while playing in all 82 games for Toronto this past season. His rights were acquired by the Raptors in June 2003 from the Chicago Bulls in exchange for a second-round draft pick.

He joined the team after spending the 2003-04 season playing for Sicilia in the Italian A1 League. Bonner, out of the University of Florida, is the only player in school history to record 1,500 points, 750 rebounds and 150 three- pointers.

[Manu20]

Sonics Re-Sign Potapenko
August 23, 2005
http://www.nba.com/sonics/news/potapenko050823.html

SEATTLE - Sonics General Manager Rick Sund announced today that the Seattle SuperSonics re-signed Vitaly Potapenko. As per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"In his three years with the Sonics, Vitaly has given us a tough, physical presence in the middle along with the ability to score," said Sund. "We’re excited Vitaly will be in a Sonics uniform again because he also gives us solid veteran experience."

Last season, his ninth in the NBA, Potapenko appeared in 33 games. He shot 51.7 percent from the floor and 87.1 percent from the foul line, both marks career highs. The 6-10, 285-pound center missed the first six weeks of the season due to a fractured fourth metacarpal in his right hand.

Potapenko was originally acquired by the Sonics from the Boston Celtics on July 22, 2002. He has appeared in 124 games over three seasons in Seattle, starting 42. He started in 39 games during the 2003-04 season, when he averaged 7.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

In 574 NBA games, the Ukraine native holds career averages of 6.8 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game.

[Kori Ellis]

Bucks Ink Second-Round Pick

Milwaukee, WI -- The Milwaukee Bucks have signed second-round draft pick Ersan Ilyasova to a two-year contract.

Financial terms of the deal were not released.

Ilyasova was the 36th overall pick of the 2005 NBA Draft. He averaged 4.5 points and 3.2 rebounds for Ulker in the Turkish League last season.

"Ersan is a young, skilled player who we felt fortunate to select in the second round of the draft," said Bucks general manager Larry Harris in a statement. "He has all the tools to be a productive NBA player, and he has been working hard this summer to get stronger physically. Ersan will benefit greatly from practicing and playing with the veteran players on our roster."

Ilyasova played in five games for the Bucks with their Summer League team and averaged 3.6 points with 3.0 rebounds. He finished second on the squad in total rebounds, behind only first overall pick Andrew Bogut.

[Kori Ellis]

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Bulls re-signed free agent forward Othella Harrington on Wednesday.

The 6-foot-9 Harrington averaged 8.0 points and 4.2 rebounds in 70 games last season after being acquired from New York in a six-player trade.

In nine seasons, Harrington has averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds while playing for Houston, Vancouver, New York and Chicago.

[Kori Ellis]

Edwards signs deal with Hawks

http://www.ohio.com/mld/beaconjournal/sports/basketball/12460862.htm

Hudson High School graduate and former Kent State standout John Edwards has signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Hawks.

The deal is worth $2.08 million, according to his agent, Mark Termini.

Edwards, a 7-foot center, averaged 1.2 points and .8 rebounds while averaging 5.6 minutes in 25 games with the Indiana Pacers last season.

He made the Pacers out of training camp on a non-guaranteed contract. He was able to hang on to his roster spot after three players were given lengthy suspensions following a brawl with the Detroit Pistons in November.

Edwards' stock greatly increased following a strong summer-league performance with the Pacers, including one game in which he outplayed No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Bogut of the Milwaukee Bucks.

[Kori Ellis]

Vet Mutombo re-signs with Rockets
Posted: Friday August 26, 2005 5:56PM; Updated: Friday August 26, 2005 6:02PM

HOUSTON (Ticker) - Dikembe Mutombo, one of the most prolific shot blockers in NBA history, will continue his defensive prowess with the Houston Rockets.

The Rockets on Friday re-signed the 7-2, 260-pound Mutombo, who is third behind Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the league's all-time list with 3,097 career blocks.

After a summer in which he was traded from New Jersey to Chicago and from the Bulls to Houston a month later, Mutombo averaged 4.0 points and 5.3 in 80 games as star center Yao Ming's backup last season. He also ranked second on the team with 1.26 blocks per game despite averaging only 15.2 minutes.

"After a decade of starring in this league, Dikembe established himself as one of the league's top reserves last season," Rockets general manager Carroll Dawson said. "Deke gives us rebounding and defense off the bench and he also serves as a personal mentor to Yao Ming. He is a valuable contributor as well as a great teammate."

The 39-year-old Mutombo, the NBA's only four-time recipient of the Defensive Player of the Year award, has averaged 11.1 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.07 blocks in 1,009 games with six teams. He spent his first five seasons with Denver, which drafted him fourth overall in the 1991 draft out of Georgetown.

An eight-time All-Star, Mutombo set a career high with 336 blocks with the Nuggets in 1993-94, marking the first of three consecutive seasons he led the league in that category.

Mutombo averaged a career-best 14.1 rebounds in 82 games with Atlanta in 1999-00. He split the next season with the Hawks and the Philadelphia 76ers and averaged 13.5 rebounds and blocked 203 shots, earning his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award.

[Kori Ellis]

ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves: The Timberwolves signed forward Dwayne Jones, a 6-foot-11, 250-pound shot-blocking specialist who left St. Joseph's after three years. Jones, who can also play center, led the Atlantic 10 Conference is blocks each season, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2004-05. Jones was also fifth in the nation in rebounds with 11.6 per game.

After going undrafted, Jones was poised to return for his senior year until the school found out he was considering signing with the Wolves and ended its attempt to restore his eligibility.

Jones said in July during a minicamp to prepare for Minnesota's summer league team that he was going to sign a two-year, guaranteed contract, which would be an unusual deal for an undrafted prospect.

[ChumpDumper]

Jones could actually end up being a steal.

[Kori Ellis]

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Hawks signed a trio of players on Tuesday including guards Tyronn Lue and second-round pick Salim Stoudemire, as well as center John Edwards.

Lue, who was acquired by the Hawks from Houston in December, netted a career- high 11.2 points-per-game last season in 70 combined games with the Rockets and Atlanta. In 49 games with the Hawks, Lue scored 13.5 points, while dishing out 5.4 assists per contest. The 28-year-old Lue will be entering his eighth NBA season and has produced 8.6 points and 3.5 assists in 353 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Orlando Magic, Rockets and Hawks. Stoudemire, taken with the first selection of the second round, was one of the most explosive scorers in college basketball at Arizona. He helped lead the Wildcats deep into the NCAA Tournament in 2005 with his clutch shooting and leadership on the floor One of 10 players named to the Wooden Award All- American list, Stoudamire earned All-American honors in one form or another for the fourth straight year and led Arizona in scoring with 18.4 ppg. Stoudemire is Arizona's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,960 points. Edwards, meanwhile, appeared in 25 games with the Indiana Pacers last season and averaged 1.2 points and 0.8 rebounds. The 7-footer tallied season highs of nine points and five rebounds at Sacramento (12-3-04).

[Kori Ellis]

Clippers sign Ewing,Singleton
Clippers.com

The Clippers today signed guard Daniel Ewing, their second round selection (32nd overall) in the 2005 NBA Draft and free agent forward James Singleton, it was announced by Vice President of Basketball Operations Elgin Baylor.

Ewing averaged 11.6 points and 2.1 assists per game during his four year career at Duke. As a senior in 2004-05, Ewing tallied 15.3 points and 4.0 assists per game and was named Third Team All-ACC. The 6’3” Ewing excelled in the ACC Tournament, earning First Team honors in his junior and sophomore seasons while being named the 2003 ACC Tournament MVP after averaging 20.3 points per game in leading Duke to the championship.

In six games played for the Clippers’ entry in the 2005 Reebok Vegas Summer League, Ewing tallied 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

The 6’8” Singleton, averaged 11.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 46 games played for Armani Jeans Milano (Italy – SerieA) during the 2004-05 season. He was named the MVP of the Italian League All-Star Game and helped lead AJ Milano to the Italian SerieA League Finals, where they eventually lost 1-3 to Climamio Bologna.

In his two-year career at Murray State University, Singleton averaged 13.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 60 games played. As a senior in 2002, Singleton tallied 14.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocked shots in 29 games, helping lead the Racers to the 2003 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Semifinals en route to being named to the All-OVC First Team.
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[timvp]

If Singleton can stay in the league, he'll win the slam dunk contest. He can jump out of the gym like Vince Carter in his prime.

[Kori Ellis]

Calvin Booth Goes To Washington
7th September, 2005 - 1:22 am

RealGM - A league source confirmed to RealGM’s Christopher Reina late Tuesday night that Calvin Booth has reached an agreement on a two-year contract to join the Washington Wizards . The second year of the deal is a player option.

He will travel to Washington later this week to officially sign the contract.

Booth was waived by the Bucks in August and was designated their amnesty victim.

The 6-11 center was drafted in the second round by the Wizards in 1999 and then went on to do two tours with the Mavericks that surrounded a three-year stint in Seattle.

Booth was also being pursued by the Clippers and Cavaliers.


Murray To Sign With Nets, If He Passes Physical
7th September, 2005 - 8:47 am

Bergen Record - Lamond Murray, cut by the Raptors on Friday, will be given a one-year deal for the veteran's minimum ($1.138 million) from the Nets once he clears waivers and passes his physical, according to league sources.

The Nets also agreed to terms on a two-year deal with Scott Padgett. The veteran forward, who will make $1.6 million in the upcoming season, also must pass his physical before the deal becomes official.

The routine physical has proven dicey for the Nets this summer. Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Robert "Tractor" Traylor had their New Jersey deals voided because they failed theirs.