Lakers’ Gasol to play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship. Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals. “The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country,” Gasol said. “We’re really hopeful about the team we have, but we can’t go there with a mentality that we’ll be playing the final just because we’re really good.

NBA’s worst cap-killing contracts
Why are so few teams able to bid on free agents? It’s not the economy, stupid. It’s stupid contracts that kill cap room, Randy Hill says.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Lakers hero Ariza had meteoric rise
Trevor Ariza is a Laker playoff hero, which, paradoxically, is why he’s apparently about to become an ex-Laker, Kevin Hench says.

Reports: Turkoglu opts for Raptors over Blazers
Turkish forward Hedo Turkoglu will join the Toronto Raptors after spurning the Portland Trail Blazers, according to multiple reports. The 208-centimeter (6-foot-10) free agent helped Orlando to the NBA finals last season. On Friday, a person close to the Blazers confirmed that Turkoglu ended contract talks with them. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

Commentary: NBA teams getting away with robbery

Ty Lawson, who was selected as the 18th pick in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, talks about the draft-day trade that sent him to the Denver Nuggets, during a news conference on Friday, June 26, 2009, in Denver.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

Pistons GM not committed to making quick hire
Pistons president Joe Dumars has Avery Johnson on his radar, but a published report indicates it’s no sure bet the former Mavericks coach will end up in Detroit.

Lakers’ Gasol to play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship. Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals. “The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country,” Gasol said. “We’re really hopeful about the team we have, but we can’t go there with a mentality that we’ll be playing the final just because we’re really good.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Report: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers
Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails. The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Commentary: NBA teams getting away with robbery

Ty Lawson, who was selected as the 18th pick in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, talks about the draft-day trade that sent him to the Denver Nuggets, during a news conference on Friday, June 26, 2009, in Denver.

Jackson says he’ll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team’s Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he’s confident he can handle another long season. “All things point to go!” he says.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

Jackson says he’ll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team’s Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he’s confident he can handle another long season. “All things point to go!” he says.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Commentary: NBA teams getting away with robbery

Ty Lawson, who was selected as the 18th pick in the NBA draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, talks about the draft-day trade that sent him to the Denver Nuggets, during a news conference on Friday, June 26, 2009, in Denver.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

Lakers’ Gasol to play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship. Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals. “The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country,” Gasol said. “We’re really hopeful about the team we have, but we can’t go there with a mentality that we’ll be playing the final just because we’re really good.

Report: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers
Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails. The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city.

Lakers hero Ariza had meteoric rise
Trevor Ariza is a Laker playoff hero, which, paradoxically, is why he’s apparently about to become an ex-Laker, Kevin Hench says.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Updated odds to win 2010 championship following Draft, trades (Yahoo! Sports)
Bodog's odds to win the 2009-10 NBA Championship have been reassessed and posted following last week's…

Free-agent buzz: Ariza to Rockets, Cavs eye Parker (Yahoo! Sports)
Trevor Ariza committed to sign with the Rockets after Ron Artest left for the Lakers.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Lakers’ Gasol to play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship. Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals. “The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country,” Gasol said. “We’re really hopeful about the team we have, but we can’t go there with a mentality that we’ll be playing the final just because we’re really good.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

Report: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers
Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails. The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city.

Lakers hero Ariza had meteoric rise
Trevor Ariza is a Laker playoff hero, which, paradoxically, is why he’s apparently about to become an ex-Laker, Kevin Hench says.

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal
A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas. The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Spurs Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Spurs made their biggest splash before the Draft, acquiring high-scoring small forward Richard Jefferson in a three-team deal with Milwaukee and Detroit. San Antonio gave up Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas.

Jefferson joins the formidable trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili as the Spurs took a major step in closing the gap with the Lakers in the Western Conference.

“He’s got a toughness to him,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Jefferson. “He’s a competitor. He gives us that added quality, which is important when trying to get a championship.”

Popovich was an assistant coach on the 2004 USA Olympic team that included Jefferson and Duncan.

Free-agent buzz: Ariza to Rockets, Cavs eye Parker (Yahoo! Sports)
Trevor Ariza committed to sign with the Rockets after Ron Artest left for the Lakers.

Lakers’ Gasol to play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship. Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals. “The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country,” Gasol said. “We’re really hopeful about the team we have, but we can’t go there with a mentality that we’ll be playing the final just because we’re really good.

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal
A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas. The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Spurs Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Spurs made their biggest splash before the Draft, acquiring high-scoring small forward Richard Jefferson in a three-team deal with Milwaukee and Detroit. San Antonio gave up Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas.

Jefferson joins the formidable trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili as the Spurs took a major step in closing the gap with the Lakers in the Western Conference.

“He’s got a toughness to him,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Jefferson. “He’s a competitor. He gives us that added quality, which is important when trying to get a championship.”

Popovich was an assistant coach on the 2004 USA Olympic team that included Jefferson and Duncan.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Spurs Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Spurs made their biggest splash before the Draft, acquiring high-scoring small forward Richard Jefferson in a three-team deal with Milwaukee and Detroit. San Antonio gave up Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas.

Jefferson joins the formidable trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili as the Spurs took a major step in closing the gap with the Lakers in the Western Conference.

“He’s got a toughness to him,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Jefferson. “He’s a competitor. He gives us that added quality, which is important when trying to get a championship.”

Popovich was an assistant coach on the 2004 USA Olympic team that included Jefferson and Duncan.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Yao will wait week before surgery decision
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot. The future of 7-foot-6 (226-centimeter) Yao are in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out of all of next season, and potentially end his career. “It hasn’t been decided yet,” Yao’s agent, Eric Zhang, told The Associated Press on Friday.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal
A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas. The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

Shaq reveals new motto: ‘Win a ring for the King’
Shaquille O’Neal has joined his Cleveland teammates - and says he can help them win a title. Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O’Neal was introduced Thursday as a Cavalier before cheering young fans at the team’s suburban practice facility. The Cavaliers are hoping that the 15-time All-Star can help league MVP LeBron James and Cleveland win its first NBA championship. How long will O’Neal will stay with the Cavaliers is still a question.

Free-agent buzz: Ariza to Rockets, Cavs eye Parker (Yahoo! Sports)
Trevor Ariza committed to sign with the Rockets after Ron Artest left for the Lakers.

Updated odds to win 2010 championship following Draft, trades (Yahoo! Sports)
Bodog's odds to win the 2009-10 NBA Championship have been reassessed and posted following last week's…

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Spurs get in line to woo Wallace

Now, the wait is on. “There’s interest, mutual interest, I would say,” Wallace’s agent, Bill Strickland, said Wednesday.

Report: Celtics meet with Wallace, offer deal
Rasheed Wallace may be joining Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in Boston.

Updated odds to win 2010 championship following Draft, trades (Yahoo! Sports)
Bodog's odds to win the 2009-10 NBA Championship have been reassessed and posted following last week's…

Shaq reveals new motto: ‘Win a ring for the King’
Shaquille O’Neal has joined his Cleveland teammates - and says he can help them win a title. Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O’Neal was introduced Thursday as a Cavalier before cheering young fans at the team’s suburban practice facility. The Cavaliers are hoping that the 15-time All-Star can help league MVP LeBron James and Cleveland win its first NBA championship. How long will O’Neal will stay with the Cavaliers is still a question.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Report: Pistons OK deals with Gordon, Villanueva
A person tells The Associated Press that Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon is in talks with the Detroit Pistons about joining the team. Pistons spokesman Kevin Grigg declined comment on Gordon’s situation Wednesday, saying there’s an NBA moratorium on discussing free-agent matters. But a person close to the talks says Gordon was in Michigan on Wednesday.

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal
A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas. The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A. Kobe and Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Hill: Top 10 NBA free agents
While it pales next to the 2010 class everyone’s awaiting, this year’s free-agent crop has some talent. Randy Hill lists the 10 best.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Report: Celtics meet with Wallace, offer deal
Rasheed Wallace may be joining Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in Boston.

Kobe grants the Lakers a stay

The annual free-agent scramble began for the Lakers when their most important player decided not to be part of it.

Spurs Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Spurs made their biggest splash before the Draft, acquiring high-scoring small forward Richard Jefferson in a three-team deal with Milwaukee and Detroit. San Antonio gave up Bruce Bowen, Fabricio Oberto and Kurt Thomas.

Jefferson joins the formidable trio of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili as the Spurs took a major step in closing the gap with the Lakers in the Western Conference.

“He’s got a toughness to him,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of Jefferson. “He’s a competitor. He gives us that added quality, which is important when trying to get a championship.”

Popovich was an assistant coach on the 2004 USA Olympic team that included Jefferson and Duncan.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Curry fired by Pistons after first-round exit

The Detroit Pistons fired coach Michael Curry on Tuesday as the team started rebuilding from an unpopular trade, a sub-.500 record and an embarrassing first-round exit from the playoffs that ended its six-year streak of making the conference finals.

Free-agent buzz: Ariza to Rockets, Cavs eye Parker (Yahoo! Sports)
Trevor Ariza committed to sign with the Rockets after Ron Artest left for the Lakers.

Agent: Artest to join Kobe, Lakers
Ron Artest will be joining forces with Kobe Bryant. The free agent forward plans to sign with the Lakers, his agent says.