Oden practices with Blazers

Good news for Blazers' fans. Greg Oden practiced with the Portland Trail Blazers for the first time since right knee surgery ended the No. 1 draft pick's debut season before it started six months ago.

Oden, the 7-foot center from Ohio State taken with the top selection in last year's draft, surprised his teammates Wednesday when he participated in offensive drills and even dunked during 45 minutes of half-speed work. The Blazers were in Sacramento for Thursday night's game against the Kings.

Only coach Nate McMillan and athletic trainer Jay Jensen knew Oden would be in practice Wednesday for the first time since undergoing microfracture surgery in September.

The Blazers have stayed in contention for a playoff berth without their future franchise center. Led by All-Star Brandon Roy, Portland is in 10th place in the Western Conference.

Oden said he felt no discomfort in his knee after the workout. The Blazers still have no intention of allowing him to play this season, however.

Roy said Oden's surprise participation in practice gave the Blazers a lift and a look ahead to next season.

After going through plays and drills with his teammates, Oden worked out one-on-one with Blazers assistant Maurice Lucas.

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Durant will likely start as the '2' for Sonics

Kevin Durant grabbed outlet passes. He stepped out and fed post players who were running down the middle of the floor.

When he did go inside, he soared to the baseline for a rebound over Wally Szczerbiak, the veteran small forward who at six-foot-seven is two inches shorter but far more bulky than the teenager with the body of a greyhound.

The one time he was in the middle during a fast-break drill that ended the 90-minute session, Durant rose above the rim with both hands clutching the ball. Yet instead of dunking, he simply and smoothly dropped the ball through the hoop.

The second overall pick in June's draft was on the outside looking in during the first practice of his NBA life. He was a shooting guard.

It seemed to fit.

For now, he's in the same "2" spot that all-star Ray Allen held in Seattle from 2003 until he was traded to Boston for Szczerbiak, Delonte West and fifth overall choice Jeff Green, moments after the Sonics drafted Durant.

The other conclusion from Seattle's first practice, a month before the season gets real at Denver for a team that finished 31-51 last season: Forget that he was running with the second team Tuesday. Durant will be starting from Game 1.

Carlesimo all but declared that.

Last season at Texas, as Durant became the first freshman to be national player of the year, he often dropped into the low post when a smaller defender dared to guard him. But mostly he stayed outside as a big guard or small forward.

Durant, 6-9, said he's comfortable as a guard in the running-when-available style that Carlesimo, a defensive mind, has hired assistant Paul Westhead to install.

It's not going to be the warp-speed offence that Westhead, who last month won the WNBA championship with Phoenix, famously ran at Loyola Marymount in the early 1990s. Not that Durant would know.

He'd never heard of Westhead's style until last week. Durant looked puzzled at the mention of Hank Gathers' death on the court and LMU's magical run deep into the 1990 NCAA tournament that followed it.

No wonder. Durant was 18 months old when that happened.

Carlesimo sees talent as much as he sees a kid who turned 19 Saturday and is living with his mom in a rented house in the Seattle suburbs.

Carlesimo compared Durant's physical development to that of a player who entered the NBA skinny and did OK: Michael Jordan.

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Marion and Kobe discussed transfer

Shawn Marion wants to leave Phoenix and interested by the idea to become a member of Lakers.

“I am interested in Lakers,” declared Marion.

He as declared as he had spoken in Kobe Bryant and that Bryant “embraced the idea.”

Marion added: “he wants that occurs.”

If concerns of Bryant on the possible transfers which Lakers make think that the addition of Marion would help, at least it is an indication which it thinks of Lakers as “us” not that “them”.

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Jason Williams is potentially being traded by Heats

Jason Williams will be in competition with Smush Parker and Charlie Bell.

Heat team lacking depth at point guard at the start of the offseason soon could be overloaded at the position.

Based on Riley's offseason rhetoric about getting his team back below the NBA's dollar-for-dollar luxury tax on excessive payrolls, and considering Bell's desire to spend more time at point guard, Williams' Heat future now appears tenuous.

Not only is Williams coming off two injury-plagued seasons, but he holds a $9 million expiring contract. Should the Heat be able to move his deal for a lower-priced contract of a much-needed small forward, say Golden State free agent Mickael Pietrus, the Heat would be able to balance its roster while also reducing its luxury-tax exposure.

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Marion to Utah?

The Suns and Utah Jazz tossed around the idea of has trade sending Shawn Marion to Utah for Andrei Kirilenko last month goal did not move past the changeable training course of talks and the discussion of swapping forwards has been tabled for weeks.

Marion, 29, frequently comes up in trade talks because the Suns are over the tax threshold with contracts that will pay to their big three - Steve Nash, Amaré Stoudemire and Marion - $41.6 million for the coming season and $45.1 million in 2008-09.

Marion is the signal-paid Suns player At $16,440,000 this season and $17,810,000 in 2008-09, his contract' S final year.

Acquiring Kirilenko would only delay the Suns' payroll strain.

Kirilenko, 26, will Be paid $63.1 million over the next furnace let us seasons. He was year All-Star in 2004 drank struggled last season and complained of his reduced role to the not of crying in year interview during the playoffs.

Like Marion, Kirilenko has been among league leaders in blocks and steals during his career. At 6 feet 9, the Russian runs the floor well goal has has suspect perimeter shot. Last season, Kirilenko started 70 games, hit 21 bore of his three-pointers and averaged 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds for has division field. His contract runs through 2010-11, when Stoudemire' S contract closed with has $17.9 million salary and Nash could start has new deal.

Phoenix has been looking to move Marcus Banks, goal Utah has three not guards.

The Suns would get some payroll relief and tax savings ($5.35 million combined this year) while Utah would cuts the end of Marion' S deal lined up with when Deron Williams' first big contract would start.

General Suns Manager Steve Kerr declined to how.

[source]

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Bryant and Jackson together in secrecy service

Jackson dropped by to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., last weekend.

And in typical Jackson-esque fashion, He couldn't just pick up has few accodances and be one his merry way.

How mundane would that be? That's for the hoi polloi.

For regular coaches.

Nope, our man Phil used the occasion to reveal He and Kobe were in collusion to upgrade the Lakers roster.

Thesis are the kinds of things even columnists cannot make up.

That would Be Phil Jackson, the man who ounce demanded the Lakers trade Kobe Bryant. Who deemed him “uncoachable.”

And now they're so cozy they cuts has secret handshake. Yew they start batting to their eyes At each other, I'm leaving.

This is particularly disingenuous with Kobe's idea of encouraging roster upgrades, which has included his infamous atomic yes-No-maybe-yes day of radio rants.

Jackson - the greatest professional basketball coach in history - has one year left one his contract, and after his second hip replacement, is uncertain yew He wants to keep At it. Particularly guiding has TEAM without realistic hope of competing for has.

Kobe - greatest player in the game - is 29 and At the peak of his physical skills.

Spoiled by year early run of championships, He is understandably frustrated poor At the Lakers' record the past three years.

Kobe ripped the Lakers face office, general manager Mitch Kupchak, owner Jerry Buss and his teammates - specifically Andrew Bynum - back in May, though He did spare the TEAM massage therapist.

Before Jackson left for Springfield, He added Jim Buss to the TEAM pyre, saying of the owner's its and club vice president to KLAC-AM (570) 'S Petros Papakakis and Matt Smith:

“We were promised by Jim Buss we'd cuts big exchanges. We've yet to see that. We're still looking for that. And we still are looking for that big boost in our TEAM. So we hope we still cuts one more (move) in custom to include has player that really edge play.”

The Lakers, however, cut done precious little to seriously improve the club this summer.

They signed veteran guard Derek Fisher, which has gift goal won't cuts has major impact. Then they're-signed Luke Walton and Chris Mihm, and crossed fingers and hoped for better health.

Everyone understands that's still not enough to could the Lakers in position to threaten for has, though No one recognizes it better than that one-two shrouded covert coils duet of Phil and Kobe.

No doubt Phil, Kobe, Mitch, the Buss family, TEAM masseuse, the fans, the NBA and media would still prefer to see the roster upgraded. Edge we all Be in collusion with that?

[source]

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Damir Markota waived by Bucks

Milwaukee Bucks have requested waivers on forward Damir Markota (6-10, 225), General Manager Larry Harris announced today.

Selected by San Antonio with the 59th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, Markota was traded to the Bucks on June 28, 2006 for the better of Milwaukee’s two second round picks in the 2007 NBA Draft (33rd overall).

[source]

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The "real" reason of Yi Jianlian

I think everyone wanted to talk about Yi Jianlian, the Milwaukee Bucks’ top draft choice.

Why not?

Yi, a 7-foot forward, has created a buzz by saying he won’t play for the Bucks, although I’m convinced he will. Beyond that, Yi has the physical and mental makeup to be a special player.

Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak, who also was at the summer league, concurred.

"I’m a big fan of Yi’s," Krystkowkiak told me last week before heading out to Montana for a little R&R. "It’s amazing how fast he can get from one end of the floor to the other end of the floor and he has a nice shooting touch.

"He’s very intriguing. I think he can be a great player."

Considering Krystkowiak is hardly prone to hyperbole, that’s quite a statement.

Now we know the "real" reason Yi Jianlian is balking at playing in Milwaukee.

Said Ma Jian, a former Chinese basketball star: "Of course, definitely, CBA (Chinese Basketball Association) and Yi’s agents would prefer that he play in cities with large Chinese population. It will benefit both CBA and Yi; it will help promotion. And it will guarantee him better restaurants and perhaps better looking Chinese girlfriend."

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Gooden in Warriors?

According to an informed league source, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors have recently had discussions about a possible Drew Gooden trade.

The Cavaliers, hoping to re-sign Anderson Varejao, currently have over $64-million worth of salaries committed for next season and are right up against the $67.865-million luxury tax threshold. Both Varejao and Sasha Pavlovic are restricted free-agents for Cleveland, giving the team the opportunity to match any offer given to either of them.

The Warriors possess a $9.9-million traded player exception that they received in the Draft Night deal for Jason Richardson. Should they send the TPE to Cleveland for Gooden, the Cavaliers will immediately be freed from Gooden's $6.4-million salary for next season, increasing the likelihood of bringing back their own free agents, Varejao and Pavlovic.

In need of a rebounding presence on the inside, the Warriors could use Gooden as a backup center to Andris Biedrins. His mobility and willingness to scrap for rebounds would be a welcome addition to a Warriors squad that was out muscled by the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Specific packages and players other than Gooden are not yet known.

The question for the Cavs then becomes whether Varejao is worth that much to them. If not, the Warriors may have stolen Varejao at a great cost. If so, the Warriors' Traded Player Exception looks like an absolutely wonderful chip for the Cavaliers now that Varejao is back. It is very difficult to justify starting Gooden in front of Varejao at that cost and it is equally difficult to do the same for Varejao starting in front of a $6.4-million Gooden. Plus, the Cavaliers would still have to work on a deal with Sasha Pavlovic.

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KG about to become Celtic

According to the rumours, Kevin Garnett would be about to sign a contract of several years with Boston Celtics in exchange of Al Jefferson, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green and Sebastian Telfair. Negotiations had already taken place in June but they had not succeeded.

Annoncement official could take place on Monday. The deal would be already concluded between the two teams.

Garnett had refused the deal in June because it thought at the time Boston was not a rather solid team. Now that Ray Allen with signed, gives it is different.

One will thus find undoubtedly Garnett, Pierce and Ray Allen under the uniform of Celtics to the re-entry.

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The rumour in Las Vegas

The rumour in Las Vegas Sunday was as follows: official Chinese implied in “the business Yi Jianlian” becomes increasingly dissatisfied with the role of his agent daN Fegan and sound the incapacity to make place Yi in a team with a large Chinese population.

Bucks can take another step towards the fact of improving their relationship with Yi Jianlian, their first choice of Draft.

The rumour indicates that Harris and Dave Babcock, the “Player personal Director” could fly away for China to meet the 19 year old forward, his family and Official of Guangdong Ducks.

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Yi has shown interest in Sacramento

The dead-end between Bucks and Yi Jianlian enters his second week today, and among the details emerging Sacramento would be one of the preferred destinations of this Chinese forward, if it successful to force a transfer, The Bee has learned.

If discussions between Kings and Bucks intervened, information was not revealed.

The owner of Sacramento, Gavin Maloof, refused to comment on Wednesday evening makes it have looked at Yi and the Chinese national team to play against Boston Celtics during a match of Summer League with UNLV and the leaders of Milwaukee could not be joined.

The agent of Yi, dan Fegan, as declared as he did not want to make remarks, while hoping to avoid igniting an already difficult situation more.

Milwaukee general manager Larry Harris said he would not trade Yi, increasing the sense of a standoff that could last at least through the summer and very possibly into training camp in October. If the time does come that the Bucks change their stance, many teams with more to offer will show interest.

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Rockets belong to the teams which are interested in Francis

Steve Francis, who has gone from the "Franchise" to a free agent, could be ready to bring his career back to where it began.

A few hours after Francis agreed to have his contract bought out by the Portland Trail Blazers, his agent, Jeff Fried, began talks with several teams — including the Rockets — to find him a home.

Fried declared that Francis, 30 years, is considering the Rockets, Mavericks, Heat, Lakers and Clippers, all of whom he said have shown interest or have been receptive to pursuing Francis.

The Rockets have five point guards under contract (not including Bob Sura, who is expected to retire.) But Fried said that if the team reshapes its roster through a trade, there could be a place for Francis in Houston.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey declined to comment about any interest in signing Francis.

He has said he is seeking a trade that would bring the Rockets a power forward.

The Rockets acquired Francis, 6-3, in an 11-player, three-team deal, then the largest in NBA history, in the months after the 1999 draft. He was traded to the Magic to acquire Tracy McGrady in 2004 and was sent the Knicks during the 2005-06 season.

Francis became a free agent after the Trail Blazers bought out the two years left on the contract he signed with the Rockets for roughly $30 million.

The Clippers have been aggressive in pursuing Francis, offering a chance to reunite him with friend and former teammate Cuttino Mobley, and friend and business partner Sam Cassell.

The Heat's top priority has been free agent Mo Williams, but if unable to sign him, could pursue Francis next, Fried said.

[source]

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Lakers in negotiations to make return Derek Fisher

Lakers always seek a leader of senior play and Derek Fisher is somebody whom they take into account.
Lakers and the new agent of Fisher were in contact and try to negotiate a deal to make come Fisher to Los Angeles.

But the problem between Lakers and Fisher is how much money He wants and the amount of years He wants. It is the same resulting the Lakers cuts with free-agent guard Steve Blake.

Fisher is seeking has three-year deal worth $5 million in the first year and containing 8 bore raises for the next two, said sources. The Lakers, said sources, might Be willing to pay that amount.

It is less than the new mid-level exception that the NBA announced Tuesday At $5.36 million per season. If Fisher and the Lakers were to approved one has deal, it would not be for the full mid-level.

The Lakers aren't willing to give A five-year deal to Fisher, 33, who will Be entering his 12th season, because of his age.

Fisher became available after the Utah Jazz released him from the last three years of has guaranteed contract of $20,592,600 so that He edge concentrate one getting the best care for his 11-month-old daughter, who has cancer in her left eye.

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Yi seeking to another team

The Chinese agent of Yi Jianlian declares that it speaks in this moment with other teams for a possible transfer about Yi from Milwaukee.

Yi, the choice of Bukcs, refused to speak about the prospect to play for Milwaukee after it was selected in sixth position of the NBA Draft last week.

However, the agent of Yi, Yi Zhao Gang was quoted by the daily newspaper China Daily, announcing that it was already in contact with other franknesses which expressed an interest for 19 years the strong winger.

Agent daN Fegan pushed for Yi to go to has city with has heavy Asian influences. According to census dated, Milwaukee has little more than 1,200 Chinese residents.

Yi is in Dallas with the Clouded National Senior TEAM for two exhibition games. He said Monday that He was looking forward to playing against the Dallas Mavericks Summer TEAM one Tuesday. He declined for the second straight day to talk butt the NBA drank.

Yi courted controversy before the draft when access to his workouts was tightly restricted to just a few teams. There have even been questions about his true age, with some reports putting his birth year as early as 1984, partly because sports authorities are known to report their players as younger than they actually are to keep them eligible for junior competitions.

Yi's apparent disappointment with being picked by Milwaukee contrasted strikingly with fellow China national team member Sun Yue's delight at his selection by the Los Angeles Lakers. Sun was the 40th player selected.

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Rashad Lewis will play in Orlando for next season

Rashard Lewis, one of the "free agent", the most coveted intersaison NBA, will leave Seattle and sign a contract with Orlando Magics.

The contract should range between $75 - $85 Million over 5 years.

To allow Lewis, it is possible that Orlando is obliged to refuse to resign Darko Milicic, now free agent also.

Rashard Lewis and Dwight Howard have both recently expressed their desire to play the next season together.

After Ray Allen, now Lewis, the 2nd marker of Seattle last season which leaves the team.

Like all the other "free-agent" of transition, Lewis will have to wait on July 11 to officialize its transfer.

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Nash declared with the media

Steve Nash declared with the media that it did not believe that Suns will complete a transfer to dispatch Amare Stoudemire and to acquire Kevin Garnett.

"I think that they are only words of negotiations" Nash said.

"The large transfer nowadays are really difficult to realize. Each team with this stage of the season will be open to discuss step badly of things, but actually it will probably not occur large thing." the captain of the team, Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash said.

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Will Celtics select Yi Jianlian?

According to sources of the team and league, Celtics are very interested by the selection of Yi with the fifth choice of Draft of Thursday, if Danny Ainge does not transfer it.

Ainge and the trainer, Doc Rivers looked at involved Yi, 18 days ago, and spoke with the prospective customer.

While Ainge affirms, "There are 30 teams which know exactly which is Yi," the geography, the cultural differences and hostile criticisms of the Chinese basketball conspired to make of Yi a mainly unknown player apart from the international circles and scouts NBA.

"I am ready for the NBA," declared Yi in Mandarin, with the assistance a translator. "If I were not ready for that, I would not be registered in Draft." Yi said.

"When I finished my last match in China, I estimated that I was ready for the NBA and I travelled by the plane to prepare up to now."

"The target was ready and the plan too. Many people made projects. I was one of them." Yi said.

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Kevin Garnett in Lakers?

The owners of Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves began talks for a transfer which would imply sending Kevin Garnett in Lakers, declared sources of the league Monday.

A discussion of transfer between several teams is in the process of realization.

The transfer would imply Lakers, Indiana, Minnesota and probably a fourth team, Lakers obtaining Garnett and Pacers obtaining Lamar Odom and the pivot Andrew Bynum of Lakers.

Another secondary player will be probably added so that the deal functions financially.

Jerry Buss and the owner of Timberwolves, Glen Taylor, spoke on the telephone during 20 Friday minutes.

Buss finished the conversation by suggesting that the GM of Lakers Mitch Kupchak and the vice-president of the operations basketball of Timberwolves, Kevin McHale, continue the discussion Monday.

Kupchak, Buss and the trainer of Lakers, Phil Jackson, met Friday to discuss the options based on the assumption which they preserve Bryant, Los Angeles Times learned.

The most probable scenario would be as follows:
- Los Angeles Lakers: Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Indiana Pacers: Lamar Odom, Andrew Bynum (Los Angeles Lakers)
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Choices of Draft, and players nonknown (Boston Celtics)
- Boston Celtics: Jermaine O' Neal (Indiana Pacers)

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Knick wants Garnett or O'neal

Whether trade rumors involving Kevin Garnett are based on solid facts or not, one thing is certain - the Knicks are surely in the mix. Whenever a big name comes towards outside in the market, the Knicks is always the first one that will be mentioned by the members of means and other speculators like potential buyers. That's because they are. Especially Knicks president/coach Isiah Thomas, who is always trying to improve his roster, always looking for ways to spend Jim Dolan's money.

An early riser, Thomas already has his team linked to two possible mega-trades, one involving Jermaine O'Neal and the other involving the ever-elusive Garnett. Like everyone else, the Knicks will try to get one of the two. Unlike other teams, Thomas has been preparing for chasing those two for quite some time now.

But before he starts exchanging possible trade scenarios with fellow GMs, Thomas must make a decision - where is this franchise headed? If they go with Jermaine O'Neal they may be on a different path then if they choose KG. Which way should he go?

[Source]

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