The source said Vujacic is seeking a multiyear deal from the Lakers averaging about $5 million a year. Vujacic was hoping for a six-year deal, but anticipated it could be a shorter contract. He has not received an offer sheet from another NBA team. Teams were hesitant to make Vujacic an offer because they anticipate the Lakers would match it, the source said.

The Lakers made a qualifying offer to another of their free agents, forward Ronny Turiaf, but when Turiaf received a four-year, $17-million offer sheet from the Golden State Warriors, the Lakers declined to match it.

The National Hockey League and the National Basketball Association have no plans to expand or relocate any of their franchises, but city and state officials said they would build an arena even without a commitment from a professional sports team. Previous state policy called for attracting a franchise before building a sports venue, but city officials said this project would thrive even without a team.

So now he is either playing an elaborate game of chicken with the Hawks, who made him the No. 6 draft pick in 2004, or eagerly learning how to say "pick and roll" in Greek. It doesn't really matter which, because Childress' threat has enough credibility to serve as a warning shot throughout the NBA. After years of nabbing great foreign players, from Yao Ming to Dirk Nowitzki, the league has to see that the trend could work in reverse. That's not to say that Tim Duncan or Kobe Bryant will be decamping for Europe. But now that Euroleague is flush with cash and the dollar has turned frail, it's not unreasonable to think that a young Spanish player such as Pau Gasol might want to finish his career near home. Some coveted international players already have snubbed the NBA in favor of Euroleague. Argentina's Carlos Delfino left the Raptors to join a Russian club, and Spain's Tiago Splitter - whose name alone is priceless - declined the honor of being the Spurs' first-round pick last year.

Until now, Americans didn't go to Europe unless they struggled to find stable employment in the NBA. The experience was often enlightening, but it also could be exasperating. One former player told me that his European team provided housing and utilities, and after he played poorly, he found his heat mysteriously cut off. But as the cash and perks have increased, more players have been tempted, or at least tried to use the cash and perks overseas to shake down their teams here. Childress, though, would be the first big catch from the U.S. An established American pro, with a Stanford education and a grasp of team play that is often missing in the NBA, he could be a billboard for Euroleague.

Scott confirmed that a meeting had taken place with Sixers president/general manager Eddie Stefanski and assistant general manager Tony DiLeo. Stefanski has said repeatedly that he intends to re-sign Williams and Andre Iguodala, who is also restricted. Iguodala is training with the Select Team that is helping prepare the U.S. Olympic team for the competition in Beijing, but will not participate in scrimmages because of his contractual status.

Scott said the Sixers have made clear their "parameters of interest" in Williams, who has spent all three seasons of his pro career in Philadelphia.

Responding to an ESPN.com report that the Golden State Warriors could be considering tendering an offer sheet, Scott said, "A number of teams have shown interest, but no one has put out an offer sheet."

Nachbar's new deal is said to include buyout options following each season so that he can return to the NBA if the opportunity arises.

Nachbar was acquired by the Nets in a trade with New Orleans toward the end of the '05-06 season and averaged just over nine points a game in a little more than two seasons. He was considered the Nets' No.1 shooting threat off the bench. The Nets also finalized a sign-and-trade deal yesterday with the Magic that will bring veteran guard Keyon Dooling to New Jersey. In exchange for the 6-3 Dooling, the Nets will send Orlando the $3.3 million trade exception they received from the Mavericks in the Jason Kidd deal last February.

The source confirmed the main elements of a Yahoo! Sports report Monday that said Deng, 23, would opt to sign a one-year qualifying offer for $4.5 million and become an unrestricted free agent next summer if he's not able to reach a long-term agreement before he leaves the country Aug. 4. Deng will be in Europe for much of August playing with the British team in the European Championship qualifying tournament.

''This isn't an ultimatum,'' the source said. ''It's just that Lu wants to get the deal done before he leaves. There's nothing that will make the deal easier to reach in September.''

Talks have been amicable so far, but the sides remain far apart. Deng turned down a five-year, $57.5 million deal just before the start of last season. He averaged 17 points and 6.3 rebounds in 63 games — a drop from the 18.8 points and 7.1 rebounds he averaged in 2006-07.

You think 29 years entitles you to something? In Dallas, Mavericks fans have waited, mostly patiently, for 28 years. The team sniffed a title once, but let it slip from its grasp.

The Oklahoma Whatevers won 20 games last year in Seattle. You have some nice young players, starting with Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and rookie Russell Westbrook, but they are green — just not Sonic green.

The Mavericks have the league MVP from two seasons ago. They have one of the 10 greatest point guards ever, and he isn't quite finished. They are one year removed from a 67-win season. And you know how many people in Dallas think the Mavericks are on the brink of a title now? About five unless Mark Cuban has removed his name from the pursuit of a true winner — the Chicago Cubs.

The Sonics may have gone one more year than Dallas without a title, but that's nothing in NBA terms. Phoenix and Atlanta joined the league 40 years ago (the Hawks moved from St. Louis). Lots of exciting players have passed through, mostly through Phoenix. Number of titles: 0

''We're kind of in a wait mode,'' he said. ``We'll watch what happens here for a little while. There's a lot out there that isn't totally in line with what we're thinking.''

Lue, bothered by a calf injury last season, said Sunday he would take a physical at 5 a.m. Monday, but he never showed up. He indicated he also was considering Boston and Phoenix. Pfund acknowledged there was interest, but the Heat never made an offer.

The Heat could sign a point guard with its $1.9 million bi-annual exception or trade for one to complement rookie Mario Chalmers and veteran Marcus Banks. Restricted free agent Chris Quinn, who has a qualifying offer from the Heat, continues to speak with other teams.

Though sources said the trade is all but complete, team president Rod Thorn remained cautious Sunday.

"It's not done until you do it through the league," Thorn said.

Dooling has been the object of the Nets' affection for years. When the trade is finalized, Dooling will back up point guard Devin Harris and shooting guard Vince Carter. Dooling averaged 8.1 points and 1.8 assists for the Magic last season.

The move likely will mean the end of Marcus Williams' days in New Jersey. Heading into his third year in the league, Williams has been plagued by injuries so far. He's missed parts of the last two seasons and has averaged 6.4 points and three assists in his career. The Nets are said to be looking to package Williams and one of their other young players, such as forwards Josh Boone or Sean Williams, for a veteran. They still have eight players on their roster with two years' or less experience in the league.

In the Sixers' frontcourt, Speights joins newly acquired all-star power forward Elton Brand, centers Samuel Dalembert and Jason Smith, and forwards Thaddeus Young and Reggie Evans.

Speights traveled to Las Vegas with the Sixers, playing in five games in the NBA Summer League. The 76ers finished 3-2. Speights averaged 18.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in five games. The NBA Summer League continues through tomorrow. But as of Saturday, Speights was one of only three players averaging a double-double.

The Mavericks have the option of re-signing George for more than a minimum contract, however, because he was on their roster last season for about $2.3 million, but Mavs president Donnie Nelson isn't optimistic that they will get a deal done.

"I wouldn't hold out a lot of hope right now," Nelson said. "We're pretty far apart as far as the numbers go."

George, a 6-8 guard/forward, averaged 3.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 53 games last season. George, who will turn 31 years old in late August, has averaged 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds over nine NBA seasons (the first seven with the Los Angeles Lakers). The Phoenix Suns, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Hornets have expressed interest in George. And the NBA champion Boston Celtics could be next in line after they lost 6-8 forward James Posey in free agency.

Not that Thorn is ready to declare the Nets back after a one-year playoff drought, but he's growing more and more optimistic each day that the moves he and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe have made recently will have the team on the right track sooner rather than later.

"I feel better about this team going forward than I did a month ago," Thorn said Wednesday after officially announcing the signings of the two most recent additions, veteran forwards Eduardo Najera and Jarvis Hayes. "We've gotten bigger, we've gotten younger and we've gotten stronger. Over the past six months, we've lost a great player in Jason and a heck of a player in Richard, so we'll have to see. But long-term, I feel better about our team."

Aside from still having Vince Carter and Devin Harris, who was acquired in the Kidd deal, the Nets also got 20-year-old 7-footer Yi Jianlian in the Jefferson trade.

As expected, General Manager Mitch Kupchak announced Friday the Los Angeles Lakers will not match the four-year, $17-million offer sheet Turiaf signed a week ago with the Golden State Warriors.

When we looked realistically at how much time Ronny Turiaf will play for us," Kupchak said, "it's probably not a number that justifies that kind of financial commitment."

Because the Lakers are over the trigger point for the luxury tax, they would be assessed an amount equal to any amount spent, an expensive deal for a reserve like Turiaf, who averaged 18.7 minutes in the regular season last year, but only 9.8 in the postseason. Turiaf, who made $770,610 last season, was not available for comment Friday, but Kupchak, who met with him Thursday, said the 6-10, 250-pound, three-year veteran was at peace with the knowledge he would be heading north.

Kupchak estimated Turiaf probably would have logged no more than 10-15 minutes a game had the Lakers retained him.

The Mavericks reportedly were willing to offer forward Brandon Bass and guard Jerry Stackhouse for Artest. But the Kings wanted Howard included in the deal, halting the discussions. Because the Mavericks won't budge on Howard, a potential trade for Artest is all but dead, the source said. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban declined comment in an e-mail to The Dallas Morning News.

A deal for Artest would have given the Mavericks an All-Star caliber starter at every position except center and reunited Artest with head coach Rick Carlisle, who coached Artest when he played for the Indiana Pacers.

Trade rumors have swirled about Artest this summer. The Kings and Los Angeles Lakers were reportedly in talks about an Artest-for-Lamar Odom swap, but that has since fizzled. The San Antonio Spurs and Phoenix Suns also have shown interest. Artest, 28, is one of the top defensive players in the NBA and has averaged 16 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game over his nine-year career. Artest has career playoff averages of 17.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

So what does Favre really want? Does he want to jump to a team that is a quarterback away from the Super Bowl? That would be Green Bay or Chicago. Would Favre really play in Chicago? For the hated Bears? Should Green Bay let Favre leave or make him stay?

"What little I know of Brett, my sense is that he bleeds that Packer green and gold," Dungy said. "My sense is that he wants to play for them, but he wants to step back in, like everything was just the way it ended up last year. And they're saying it isn't that way anymore because of what you told us."

Favre wants to take one shot with a team he thinks can go to the Super Bowl. Who gives Favre a better shot than Green Bay? Who gives Green Bay a better shot than Favre? That's what the Packers want to find out, and Favre is in the way. Green Bay should set Favre free, and let us all move on. Please.

Reached via cell phone, Stefanski would not say whether he had tendered an offer for Iguodala, who Wednesday was formally named to the 10-man Select Team that will train, practice and scrimmage with the U.S. Olympic team before it leaves for Beijing.

"This was a first meeting," Stefanski said, declining to offer any other details.

He has said repeatedly that his intention is to re-sign Iguodala and restricted free-agent guard Lou Williams. He was also consistent in keeping both players informed as he pursued an impact free agent from elsewhere in the NBA, which ultimately turned out to be Elton Brand. Stefanski said the order of offseason business has been "very normal." As he continues negotiating with Pelinka, it is likely that he will also meet with Merle Scott, the agent for Williams, in the next couple of days. Scott, who has had telephone conversations with Stefanski, was en route to Las Vegas yesterday afternoon.

"[Allen] never shut that door," Higgins said. "He wasn't going to come back just to come back . . . If they thought they were going to get Posey, [Allen] wasn't as important [to Boston]. "There is a lot of interest [in Allen] . . . But I think they will come back and I fully expect them to make him an offer."

The Celtics also drafted swingmen J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker, both of whom are unsigned. Ainge said Posey would be replaced by committee and there wasn't a free agent in mind.

"We go to the next options," said Ainge, who might consider adding another big man. "We're not going to sign one player that is going to replace James Posey. "We're going to do it in a different way and different fashion. We are going to reallocate our dollars in different ways. We are not necessarily looking for a small forward. We're looking to become a better team. We're still talking with veteran point guards. We're still talking to veteran bigs. We are still looking at wing players. We are still looking at all the above. We still have J.R. Giddens and Bill Walker's situation."

But he has walked the championship walk in both Miami and Boston, and we will tell them what Pat Riley told us: You will like him in the regular season and you will love him in the money games. Never before has a 7-point-per-game man been so sought after.

"If you can have a good time with someone you're supposed to be enemies with, and you guys can work together, things can be better for your future," Farmar said.

Farmar, who averaged 9.1 points and 2.7 assists in his second season with the Lakers, also participated in the NBA's fifth-annual "Play for Peace" clinic in 2006, a little more than a month after he was drafted out of UCLA. The Peres Peace Center was founded by Israeli President Shimon Peres with the goal of fostering peace in the Middle East through social programs, cooperation and interaction between Israelis and Palestinians. Farmar said programs such as the camp are important for promoting peace, because the NBA is popular in both countries.

Camby, the NBA defensive player of the year in 2006-07, was obtained from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for a conditional second-round draft pick in 2010.

Conditional because it gives the Nuggets the right to exchange picks with the Clippers in that second round. If, however, the Clippers have the lower pick and Denver chooses to pass on the opportunity, there would be no further compensation. In other words, the Clippers may have gotten Camby for nothing. And the Lakers thought they got a steal in obtaining Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies last season.

"That's my No. 1 choice," said Posey. "I've stressed that to the organization and to everybody. At the same time, I'm still waiting. So we'll see what's going to happen."

House and Posey were interviewed before a screening of a highlight DVD of the Celtics' season at TD Banknorth Garden.

Posey played down the possibility of returning to Cleveland, his hometown, though an NBA source said the Cavaliers might up the ante in an effort to get a talented player to aid LeBron James. Other teams interested in Posey include Detroit, New Orleans, Washington, and the Lakers. Mark Bartelstein, who represents both Posey and House, hoped to have something in place yesterday, but he said there was nothing new with either client. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge greeted Posey last night but said there was no news on the situation.

These days Law has traded the limelight for a spotlight on his own personal challenge - the Hawks' point guard's sole focus is to regain the game that made him the No. 11 pick in the 2007 draft and shed the memories of an uneven rookie season plagued by injuries and lost opportunity. That's why he's attacking the start of rookie/free agent mini-camp Monday, the Hawks don't begin summer league play in Salt Lake City until Friday, as the first official step of his comeback tour.

"I had high expectations for my rookie season and I didn't get to show off my game," Law said after sweating through a grueling workout on the Hawks' practice court last week. "I feel like I have so much to prove. This is the first step. But I'm really looking forward to training camp and proving to my teammates, the new general manager [Rick Sund] and coach that I can play. I'm just so hungry. And it's kind of like replaying the way things went for me in college, though I hate to go back to that, but it's true. People are doubting me, I've got something to prove. And I have to prove what I think I am, what I know I am."

"He needs development, but it looks like he'll eventually be able to be a 6-10 point forward," Nelson said. "There's a good common sense to his game. He wants to be good and there's a lot of good stuff going on there."

That might be the best way of approaching the resume Randolph will put together during his summer-league slate. The Warriors know that exhibition games against NBA wannabes are not a measuring stick for in-season success, but they are plenty comfortable in letting the 18-year-old experiment here. As the final seconds ticked down in Golden State's opening win over the Sixers, a team with returnees Brandan Wright, Marco Belinelli and C.J. Watson simply put the ball in Randolph's hands and cleared out. Randolph, isolated against Jason Smith, took the Sixers' big man off the dribble, drove to the basket and ended up with an and-1.

"He's got a lot of skill," Nelson said. "He can handle, he can pass, he can block shots, he can score."

For the Warriors to continue to contend for the playoffs, it's a must that guard Monta Ellis and center Andris Biedrins, both 22-year-old restricted free agents, be re-signed. Ellis averaged 20.2 points per game last season, while Biedrins averaged 10.5 points and 9.8 rebounds.

"We'll get them back," said Mullin. [Ellis] and Biedrins will be back."

"Beasley is the best player in the draft in terms of being ready right now and the future," Wade said. "[The Bulls'] Derrick Rose is an unbelievable talent. [The Grizzlies'] O.J. Mayo is an unbelievable talent. We would have loved to have any one of them. But, of course, we got the pick that was the best player in the draft, we can hang our hats on that and build around him ourselves."

O'Bryant averaged 13.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 blocks during his sophomore season at Bradley, then left school for the NBA. The Blaine, Minn., native averaged only 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds in 16 games as a rookie in the 2006-07 season, although he averaged 12 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in 25 games for Bakersfield in the National Basketball Development League. Although the Warriors were impressed with O'Bryant's potential, his work ethic became a major concern.

"I came in a little immature to the league," O'Bryant said. "I was barely 20 years old. I didn't quite understand what it was about and I didn't figure it out quick enough. I didn't get the opportunity I wanted."

The Warriors declined O'Bryant's third-year option Nov. 1. Golden State executive vice president Chris Mullin told O'Bryant if he just reaches "30 percent more effort," he could have a 10-year NBA career.

The story was first reported Friday by SI.com, which said Knicks president Donnie Walsh turned down the Clippers' offer. It was not known which players would be going to the Knicks in the deal, but it would not have to be a salary match because the Clippers are well under the cap. Randolph has three years and $48 million left on his contract. The Knicks, with an eye on being in the same position by 2010, would not accept contracts that go beyond that year in return for Randolph, who averaged 17.6 points and 10.3 rebounds last season. He was acquired from Portland by Isiah Thomas on draft night in 2007 for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.

It is believed that Walsh was hoping to pry Eric Gordon, the seventh overall pick in the NBA draft, as part of the deal. That move seems unlikely, but it is expected that Walsh will talk again with the Clippers, who also are participating in the NBA Summer League here. The source said Walsh has been "very active" in trade discussions and is "looking at these types of transactions constantly." Marbury also is brought up in trade discussions, but most teams interested in the 31-year-old point guard would rather wait for the Knicks to buy him out of the final year and $21.9 million left on his contract, then tender him a veteran's minimum contract.

The team reached agreements in principle yesterday with free-agent forwards Eduardo Najera and Jarvis Hayes, who will bring the roster to 15 — including seven players not with the team last season. Najera and Hayes are expected to formally sign next week.

The additions almost certainly put an end to the chance of unrestricted free agent Bostjan Nachbar returning, while also making the likelihood of Nenad Krstic being dealt in a sign-and-trade more probable, with Marcus Camby and Andres Nocioni as possible targets

Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird loves him. "I think Mario's the steal of the draft," Bird said after watching a few of Chalmers' games at this week's Orlando Summer League.

New Jersey coach Lawrence Frank also had high praise for the 6-foot-1 bundle of energy. Through four games, Chalmers has averaged 16 points and 6.25 assists. He's gone 35-for-37 on free throws, a high total for a point guard. Defensively, he has been just as solid.

"If he's not the best," Frank said, "he's one of the top three players here."

And that's among a crew that includes Chicago guard Derrick Rose, the No. 1 pick of the draft; Miami forward Michael Beasley, the No. 2 pick; Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook, the No. 4 pick; and New Jersey center Brook Lopez, who was selected 10th. Chicago big men Tyrus Thomas and Joakim Noah, who have some NBA experience, also are included in that mix.

In Miami's first game, Chalmers smoothly dispatched Rose, finishing with 11 points, six assists, four steals and one turnover. Rose ended with 10 points, four assists and five turnovers. Chalmers and Westbrook dueled Thursday in a battle that might have matched the two best players in Orlando this week. In Miami's 101-76 victory, Chalmers, the Kansas product, finished with 11. Westbrook, who played at UCLA, finished with 19.

Heat fans shouldn't be surprised if Chalmers wins the starting point guard job.

"We're done with big stuff," Nelson said by phone from Las Vegas, where the Warriors' summer league team has been practicing prior to Friday's opener against the Sixers.

There are no apparent plans to sign another big-name point guard to replace Davis. The Warriors say they already have one in-house: Monta Ellis will slide over to the point and "will do fine," Nelson said.

Stephen Jackson, the team's elder statesman and emotional anchor, will start in the backcourt with Ellis. Maggette, Al Harrington and Andris Biedrins are penciled in up front.  hings could still change: Both Harrington and the Warriors are exploring trade possibilities, and the team still needs to reach agreements with Ellis and Biedrins, their coveted restricted free agents.

"I'm not selling the Jaguars," Wayne Weaver said in an interview. "The team is not moving to L.A. I don't know how I can say that any more clearly than that."

The Philadelphia Daily News, citing anonymous sources, reported Wednesday that Weaver was in negotiations with New Jersey billionaire C. Dean Metropoulos to sell the franchise. The Jaguars have long struggled to sell tickets and generate lucrative sponsorships in the Jacksonville area, fueling speculation the team could be sold to a group angling to bring them to Southern California. Metropoulos, the former owner of the parent company of such food brands as Duncan Hines, Armour and Mrs. Paul's, told the Daily News he has not been in negotiations with Weaver.

But two sources told The Times that Metropoulos has been in contact with Jaguars ownership and, one said, has discussed a three-year acquisition plan that calls for him buying 30% of the team in each of the first two years and 40% in the third. The sources spoke on the condition of anonymity because they have not been authorized to speak on behalf of Metropoulos or the Jaguars. One of the sources said Metropoulos thought the $750 million asking price is too high, and the billionaire was also on a short list of potential candidates to buy the St. Louis Rams.

Weaver said he had not considered selling the entire franchise to anyone, only a minority interest. "That's always an option," he said. "But if I ever do that it will be with someone that shares the same commitment and passion to winning football and being a part of the Jacksonville partnership."

Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak had no comment upon receiving the paperwork. But matching the Warriors' offer would seem a stretch for the Lakers, already over the salary cap and at the tipping point for the luxury tax, to more than quintuple the yearly salary of Turiaf, a reserve who averaged 18.7 minutes last year and only 9.8 in the postseason. The 25-year-old Turiaf's salary last season was $770,610.

"It would be presumptuous for me to say what the Lakers will do," said Mark Bartelstein, Turiaf's agent, "but they do have a logjam of guys and it's tough to keep everybody happy."

For Turiaf, who averaged 6.6 points a game during the regular season, it's about more than just the money, Bartelstein said.

"Being with the Warriors would be a better opportunity from a playing standpoint," he said. "He's a young guy who desperately wants to play a lot of minutes. He wants to find out how good a player he can be. Looking at the Warriors' front line, there's nobody like him."

The Suns weren't in a position to match or beat the offer. If they fill their remaining roster spots with rookie Robin Lopez and nothing other than veteran minimum contracts, their payroll will be $76.1 million for the 2008-09 season. That's a shade under $5 million over the luxury tax, leaving the Suns with a payroll and tax bill over $80 million ($81.1 million) - the highest in franchise history. So with Gordan Giricek likely headed to Europe for a more lucrative offer, the search for a wing backup player continues.

Miles, who has been working out locally with former Suns trainer Robin Pound, was examined by the Suns medical staff on Wednesday — specifically, the right knee that has kept him out of the game for more than two years and led to a retirement settlement with Portland. While there is some interest for Phoenix, Miles' past (injuries, substance use, etc.) could go a long way to shying them away. The Portland Oregonian reported that Miles would miss the first 10 games with any new team to serve a suspension for violating the league's Anti-Drug program — which would be the "fourth strike" on the program's ladder.

Brown, who averaged 7.5 points in 78 regular-season games with Cleveland last year, is also of interest to the Suns. He is an above-average defender with offensive skills and could fit the bill price-wise (he made $1.2 million last season).

Meanwhile, Lue remains the No. 1 choice at point guard. The two sides have been keeping in contact, although no formal offer has been submitted by Phoenix to this point. Anthony Johnson remains another player of interest.

The Sixers signed two-time All-Star Elton Brand to a five-year deal reportedly worth $82 million yesterday. The Raptors also completed a trade for six-time All-Star Jermaine O'Neal and the draft rights to Nathan Jawai for guard T.J. Ford, center Rasho Nesterovic, forward Maceo Baston and the draft rights to Roy Hibbert. The Celtics, however, didn't make any moves during the first day of free agency.

"Our division has gotten stronger with the addition of Brand and O'Neal," Celtics general manager Danny Ainge wrote in a text message.

Wrote Celtics coach Doc Rivers in a text message: "Not just the Atlantic, the East in general is loading up. As I said last [season], the East was underrated and the best two records came out of the East. Now it's tougher."

The most coveted of the Boston Celtics' free agents, a two-time NBA champion who played a major reserve role this past season, is drawing interest from the Cavaliers, Washington, New Orleans, Detroit, and the Lakers, but no one seems willing to offer the full mid-level exception ($5.5 million).

When asked about Posey and [free agent Eddie] House, agent Mark Bartelstein said in a text message: ‘‘Nothing new.'' Bartelstein, however, did say he hoped to get Posey signed in ‘‘the next day or so'' and said the Celtics are still in the mix.
Bartelstein indicated the same sentiment to the Cleveland Plain Dealer Wednesday evening. Mary Schmitt Boyer, who wrote in Wednesday's editions that the Cavs had turned their focus to the local product, followed up with a blog entry this evening in which she wrote:

Posey, 31, is believed to be seeking the mid-level exception, which will be $5.585 million for the upcoming season. In addition to the Cavs, his suitors are believed to include the Celtics, Lakers, New Orleans, Washington and Houston — at least. Posey lives in Texas in the off-season. The San Antonio Spurs, who had been interested in Maggette, are another possibility.

Rose left the Bulls' victory over Indiana on Tuesday with 7:58 remaining after he ''jammed'' his knee.

''It's fine,'' Rose said after the Pacers game. ''When I made my last layup, I jump-stopped a little bit and I landed a little hard. But I should be all right. I would like to play all the games. They'd have to sit me out.''

The injury isn't considered serious, but Bulls officials wanted to take a conservative approach. JamesOn Curry started in Rose's place Wednesday. Rose might play today against New Jersey.

The Knicks, according to a league source, are trying to convince James to retire based on his recent medical history, which includes left knee surgery last November. James appeared in just two games last season and sat out the final two months due to soreness in his right knee. James, who will earn $12.8 million over the next two years, has every intention of playing next season and is even considering joining a group of veterans for voluntary workouts this weekend in Las Vegas. The Knicks have the option to simply release James, but his contract would still count against the salary cap. If James is forced to retire for medical reasons, the Knicks could petition the NBA for a medical exception to sign another player.

James, a lumbering 7-1 center, has not been fit for the past two years and has appeared in just 88games since Isiah Thomas signed him to the full mid-level exception three years ago. Last season, James appeared in two games in mid-January and finished the year with four points and three rebounds in five minutes. There is little need for a player with James' lack of speed and mobility to play in Mike D'Antoni's system.

The organization folks thought he liked them. He barely tolerated them. The Clipper Nation thought he loved them. He barely noticed them. Coach Mike Dunleavy thought Brand enjoyed playing for him. Wrong again. Even the Hollywood hotshots thought he had become one of them. That was his best acting job yet. The truth is, Brand probably wanted to leave from the moment the Clippers matched the Miami Heat's offer five years ago, forcing him to stay.

He wanted to play in an offense that better suited him, in an area of the country closer to his New York home, for fans that were more like his collegiate Cameron Crazies. Heck, he had already sold his Los Angeles house and ended this season living in an apartment. The question is, why didn't he just say this?

Why didn't he just tell the Clippers he was leaving before they went through the charade of spending millions to buy him a point guard accompaniment? Why on earth would he tell Dunleavy he would take less money if it enabled them to sign Baron Davis? Why would he do this to Baron Davis?

Why did he lie? His agent, a faded power broker named David Falk, said Brand opted out because he was just trying to, "afford the team roster flexibility."

Of course, we know why he lied. Falk hasn't been relevant in the NBA since Michael Jordan had hair, and he is using Brand as a springboard in his attempt to return to power.

Falk said that he found out, belatedly, that the Clippers had been negotiating with Brand without his agent. "I didn't know it then, I know it now," Falk said. "I know it after the fact. It's probably the reason that the deal fell apart."

Still, once the negotiations officially began between the parties last week, with Falk involved, a sticking point became an early termination option that Brand wanted. Brand said he was told the Clippers could not get owner Donald T. Sterling on the phone to grant the request. So, he and Falk immediately began to look elsewhere.

"It's negotiations. No matter what was said, David Falk, my registered agent, never agreed to any deal" with the Clippers, Brand said.

Said Dunleavy: "I don't know what poisoned Elton against us. But obviously something did. I loved Elton as a player. I'm disappointed and hurt that he left us, but I wish him the best in his future career in Philadelphia."

Late last week, after the Warriors offered Brand $90 million, the Clippers upped their offer to $75 million. Then, Tuesday, the 76ers made a trade to clear some cap space for Brand. That was when the Clippers offered him an $81-million deal for five years, a deal, Falk said, that was only extended after the organization knew they had accepted Philadelphia's offer.

Brand reiterated that he felt the Clippers' first offer was a take-it-or-leave it demand: "That's exactly what it was. Or that's what they said it was. And then, they came back and matched. But it's like, 'OK, do that the first time.' "

Bartelstein said Brown and Pargo are not yet scheduled to visit Miami. Mason and Pargo could help the Heat bolster its backcourt. Miami landed former Kansas point guard Mario Chalmers in the NBA Draft and has backup Marcus Banks under contract but would like more depth.

Mason, 27, averaged a career-best 9.1 points last season for the Washington Wizards. The former University of Virginia player is a combo guard but primarily played point guard last season. He excelled in his nine starts for Washington, averaging 17.4 points. Pargo backed up NBA MVP runner-up Chris Paul in New Orleans last season and averaged 8.1 points and 2.4 assists in 18.7 minutes a game. He is an outside threat and thrived in the playoffs, averaging 10.2 points as a reserve.

Meanwhile, Brown, 6-11, could be a viable option considering the Heat does not have much cap space and only Mark Blount is under contract at center. Brown, the former first overall draft pick, has underwhelmed since being drafted in 2001. He split last season between the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies after being traded from L.A. as part of the Pau Gasol deal. Brown averaged 4.8 points and 4.9 rebounds last season in 18.8 minutes. Brown has been injury-riddled the past two seasons, but he also has failed to remain a starter. He could be a bargain for the Heat.

Delfino appears to be an odd man out after a roster reshuffling in Toronto, while the Nuggets would have to take a serious luxury tax hit to match any substantial offer for Smith.

The Spurs have been in contact with Detroit forward Jarvis Hayes, Washington guard Roger Mason Jr., Denver swingman Yakhouba Diawara and Denver forward Eduardo Najera. All of those players should command a cheaper price than the $5.8 million mid-level exception the Spurs were said to have offered Maggette

"Normally in free agency, the vast majority of the time, it's where the guys can make the most money that they'll sign," said team president Rod Thorn.

Thorn, GM Kiki Vandeweghe and principal owner Bruce Ratner have all admitted in recent weeks that the Nets are looking down the road than the upcoming season, or even the one after that, while still hoping to keep the team "competitive." Ratner has called it a "rebuilding" phase. Thorn called it "retooling." While none of the team executives has said so, the Nets are believed to be preparing to make a run at possible future free agent LeBron James, whose contract with the Cavaliers runs out in 2010. That same year, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh could be available, too.

After a moratorium period that began July 1, NBA free agents can sign as of today. The Celtics' free agents include Posey, guards Eddie House, Sam Cassell, and Tony Allen, forward-center P.J. Brown (who is expected to retire), and center Scot Pollard. But the big question is whether Posey, a key reserve in Boston's run to the title, will be back. While Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, wouldn't say which teams were interested in his client, he did say they were contenders. Among those also expected to be wooing the Cleveland native are the Cavaliers, Wizards, Hornets, Spurs, and Lakers.

"We're just working through this thing," said Bartelstein yesterday. "Free agency is just a moving roller coaster. He'd like to get something done, and he'd like to get something done quickly and be over with it. Every team that is interested has a chance to win a title."

Although a Celtics official has denied it, an NBA source said Posey was initially offered a three-year, $12 million deal by Boston, but the source said the Celtics have improved that offer. The most the Celtics can offer is the midlevel exception, expected to start at $5.58 million next season. At 31, the 6-foot-8-inch, 215-pound Posey seems to be interested in getting close to the midlevel exception and a lengthy deal. Boston currently has about $72 million committed in salary for next season and the salary cap, released last night, is $58.68 million, the luxury tax $71.15 million. Any team over the luxury tax has to pay a $1 tax for every $1 it exceeds the tax.

A team source said the Warriors are looking to add an experienced big man to their roster. Among the restricted free agents available are Nets center Nenad Krstic, Lakers forward Ronny Turiaf and the Pacers' David Harrison. Unrestricted free agents include the Nuggets' Eduardo Najera and Oklahoma City's Francisco Elson.

It's a hefty deal for Maggette, who had been fielding offers mostly starting at the midlevel exception of $5.6 million a year — even if it represents only about half of what the Warriors were willing to commit to Brand, his former Clippers teammate.

Golden State dangled a five-year, $90 million contract at Brand in hopes of luring him from Los Angeles, but the forward ended a weeklong guessing game by agreeing to a five-year deal worth a reported $82 million with the Sixers on Tuesday. The Warriors were considered a longshot, and sources said that Philly's combination of money and location ultimately led Brand to renege on his verbal accord to sign with the Clippers as part a package deal with ex-Warriors guard Baron Davis. Maggette's deal with Golden State can be announced as early as today and represents the team's first real step in reloading after Davis' departure.

Their agreement with Brand and agent David Falk was expected to be for 5 years with a value in the range of $80 million, but could not be tendered until at least 12:01 this morning, the conclusion of the July 1-8 NBA moratorium on finalizing trades or deals with free agents.

The arrival of Brand, who was thought to be in Washington, D.C. yesterday, will create a major buzz in the area. But medical reports notwithstanding, the Sixers also have to hope he never becomes their Achilles' heel. Yes, there's a pun in there, but there also should be at least a small measure of caution. Brand, 29, is coming back from surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles' tendon; he returned to play the final eight games of last season with the Clippers, starting six times.

Brand's Wilmington, Del.-based surgeon, Dr. Craig Morgan, told the Los Angeles Times yesterday that Brand's injury would not be a problem. Brand and Falk visited with Morgan on Thursday

Dealing away Carney and Booth — with Minnesota and Memphis quickly emerging as possible destinations — would shed nearly $3 million from the Sixers' payroll next season as long as the trade doesn't require new GM Ed Stefanski to take any salary back. Multiple front-office sources said late Monday that the Sixers are closing in on a deal with the Timberwolves in which the Wolves would absorb the contracts of both Carney and Booth by using the $2.8 million remaining from a trade exception created by Minnesota's trade of Mark Blount to Miami last October and a separate minimum player exception. It was not immediately known what financial and/or draft considerations might be included in the trade from either side.

"The only thing I can share with you is that Calvin's contract will be traded to Minnesota tomorrow," Booth's agent, Mark Termini, told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

The Sixers are already expecting to have at least $11 million in salary-cap space to spend when the league announces next season's cap figure to all 30 teams Tuesday night. Depending on how closely the cap ceiling for the 2008-09 season comes to the widely projected estimate of $58-59 million — and if the Sixers can finalize a trade to part with Carney and Booth — it's conceivable that Philadelphia could possess the financial flexibility to start a five-year offer to Brand at a first-year salary in the $15 million range.

The biggest piece of the Spurs' free-agent puzzle this offseason, Maggette has been pondering interest from a horde of salivating suitors since opting out of his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers last week.

The Spurs, owning a $5.8 million mid-level exception with Maggette's name on it, are considered the favorites to land him. However, Maggette has received similar overtures from Boston, Utah, Orlando, Detroit, Cleveland and New Orleans. Maggette also could draw interest from Philadelphia and Golden State, two teams with salary cap space to outbid the Spurs.

The rest of the Spurs' free-agent picture should begin to clarify once Maggette makes his decision.

Though it remains his preference to return to San Antonio next season, Thomas — an unrestricted free agent — said Monday he plans to investigate other opportunities before signing a new contract.

"Hopefully, things work out that way," Thomas said of the possibility of re-signing with the Spurs. "That's the great thing about being a free agent. I get to weigh my options and decide what's best for me and my family."

Lost amid the hubbub of the Spurs' week-long recruitment of free-agent swingman Corey Maggette has been their low-key courtship of Thomas, who played an integral role in the team's run to the Western Conference finals last season.

Free agents can begin signing contracts Wednesday, and Posey is one of the most sought after on the market. Posey, who can play shooting guard and small forward, appears to be one of the Hornets' No.1 targets. However, it likely would take a full mid-level exception offer of $5.8 million for him to consider coming to New Orleans.

Last week, the Lakers made one-year qualifying offers to Vujacic for $2.6 million and Turiaf for $1 million, though both players are seeking longer-term deals worth more money. They are each trying to bring a signed offer sheet from another team to the Lakers, who will then have seven days to match.

The Lakers paid almost $5 million in luxury taxes last season and currently have a payroll of $75.1 million for 10 players with guaranteed contracts next season, already putting them on pace to pay more luxury taxes next season. The exact dollar figure for the luxury-tax threshold for 2008-09 will soon be announced by the league.

The Lakers are interested in retaining Vujacic but have not offered him more than $5 million a season. Free agents such as Vujacic typically hope to receive a team's mid-level exception for about $6 million a season, though the 24-year-old has not signed an offer sheet yet. Turiaf, 25, is expected to receive less money than Vujacic.

The Lakers are also hoping to sign Sun Yue, a second-round pick from last year who will play on the Chinese national team this summer. They are somewhat interested in bringing back unrestricted free-agent center DJ Mbenga at a low cost. Unrestricted free agent Ira Newble will not return. The Lakers must also determine over the next few months whether to exercise a one-year, $712,000 team option on Coby Karl. Joe Crawford, the team's second-round pick out of Kentucky.

The poor Sterlings just can't seem to get any Gluck, their best player threatening to walk away from his reputation while their most promising player takes complete leave of his senses wrote Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Plaschke.

"It's always something," said Coach Mike Dunleavy.

In this case, two somethings, both of which should be nothings. Brand should not sign with the Golden State Warriors, not even for $20 million more than the Clippers' offer, not if he is true to his image and his word. Kaman should not play for the German national team, even though his grandparents were German, because stronger loyalties should lie with his health and his $52-million Clippers contract.

After the celebrated agreement with Baron Davis, neither of these things should even be an issue.

Shouldn't the rest of the fellas be excited about the arrival of a star?

Isn't this how the Boston Celtics just won a championship?

The Clippers have earned a reputation for signing their first-round picks late, resulting in the players often missing summer league. But Los Angeles inked the seventh overall pick from Indiana last week.

"This is where I thought I might be drafted at," said Gordon at his introductory press conference last Tuesday in Los Angeles. "It was definitely a high chance that I would be here. I know some players on the team and I am pretty familiar with them."

The biggest question is whether Gordon will be a point guard or shooting guard in the NBA. The Celtics had a similar situation after drafting Chauncey Billups No. 3 in 1997. Expect the Clippers to have a lot more patience than the Celtics did.

The latest, apparently, is J.J. Barea. Word out of Puerto Rico is that he will sign a three-year contract Wednesday, when the moratorium on trades and signings is lifted. The deal is worth less than $5 million, according to reports out of Barea's homeland. NBA sources indicated the deal is not done but is close.

With that, the last bit of business for the Mavericks is to wait and see which free-agent swingman might fall through the high-dollar cracks and into their lap for a minimum salary. Sign-and-trade scenarios also are possible. And they still have interest in re-signing free agents Devean George and Antoine Wright.

"Do I want to set up the offense every time? No, I don't want to do that," he said, as his basketball camp wound down at Florida International University. "I would love to get somebody else in that can handle the ball, as well, at times, and make plays."

Wade said that was why he hinted at a preference for Memphis point guard Derrick Rose before the NBA Draft and also spoke of the virtues of Southern Cal guard O.J. Mayo. Rose went No. 1 overall to Chicago, with Kansas State forward Michael Beasley taken at No. 2 by the Heat and Mayo No. 3 by Minnesota before being dealt to Memphis.

"Last year, and maybe even the year before, where I was kind of the only one who was penetrating and making plays, it gets to the point where teams sag," Wade said. "It makes it easy on them. That's why they're able to zone, because they know I'm the only one that's going to penetrate. So we have to get somebody else that's going to break the defense down."

While Cook will now miss next week's summer league in Orlando, the Heat is hopeful that Beasley nonetheless can compete in the week of games at the Orlando Magic's practice facility. Cook was injured during the second of two practices Thursday at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Beasley was injured just over a half hour into the camp's opening session Wednesday morning at AmericanAirlines Arena, when he took an elbow to the chest during drills. The sessions are being guided by new Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, who took over from Pat Riley in April. Assistant coach Keith Askins will coach the team during the summer league.

Beasley said in a blog post at ESPN.com that the elbow resulted in "a very, very slight fracture of the sternum." The Heat initially termed the injury a contusion, but Friday offered a more complete evaluation.

The Celtics have made offers to their own forward, James Posey, and Maggette, but it's doubtful they can accommodate both. While there is no news regarding Posey, Maggette said he could be coming to Boston in the near future to visit with the Celtics. Free agents can't sign until Wednesday.

"I don't want to hold the Celtics up or [general manager] Danny Ainge," said Maggette in a telephone interview. "I talked to Doc . . . I'm not going to hold them up. I know they are still looking at James Posey. But I'm still weighing my options."

The 7-foot center showed decent range and solid footwork taking feeds in the post. But when he hit the low post against Wisconsin's Brian Butch and Detroit Mercy's Ryvon Covile, who had each been practicing since 9 in the morning, O'Bryant was tugging at his shorts not even 15 minutes into the drill, struggling to muster enough strength to defend either. Celtics spokesman Jeff Twiss pointed out that O'Bryant arrived in Boston at 1 a.m., although he tired quickly against players who had been on the court all morning. O'Bryant took the court at approximately 11 a.m.

Ainge, watching from the sideline, had already taken a look at Chris Andersen, David Harrison, and Kirk Snyder, and said, "We've had a lot of guys come in and work out. We're just continuing the process. We're just trying to find out who's available and find the best ones for us."

The others on the Sixers' radar, include Los Angeles Clippers' unrestricted free agent Corey Maggette and two restricted free agents, Golden State's Andris Biedrins and New Jersey's Nenad Krstic.

Childress is scheduled to visit, but despite earlier reports, is yet to be set for a specific date.

There have been conflicting reports as to whether the Sixers met with Clippers unrestricted free agent Elton Brand this week, although there was previous contact.