Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 19

L.A. Daily News

"Pau Gasol will make his season debut tonight against the Chicago Bulls. Definitely. Maybe. "I don't know about definitely," he said, wincing after Wednesday's practice. OK, let's just say Gasol's strained right hamstring definitely is improved. Maybe it's not 100 percent but it's still good enough to allow him to play tonight. That is, unless he suffers a serious setback today at the Lakers' shootaround. "It felt great today," he said. "I don't want to jinx it, but I don't see why there's any reason I shouldn't play. I want to play. I've been wanting to play since day one. It just wasn't ready. The muscle wasn't healed. "Now it is healed. It feels good." Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he ..."

Gasol says he will play Thursday

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November 19

Los Angeles Times

"Pau Gasol finally will play for the Lakers tonight when they face the Chicago Bulls at Staples Center. The right hamstring that kept Gasol out of the Lakers' first 11 regular-season games, the injury that hampered him for just over five weeks, healed enough to where he feels comfortable enough to play in a game. "I think that I'll be able to go tomorrow," Gasol said after practice Wednesday. "It felt great today and I don't plan on any reason why it wouldn't feel the same way tomorrow." Gasol has experienced a few close calls in returning to game action since he injured his hamstring in early October. So Gasol was pressed harder, with the media looking for a definitive answer about his ..."

Pau Gasol should be back Thursday

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November 18

Los Angeles Times

"In his acting debut, Pau Gasol died of a brain injury as a character on Monday night's episode of "CSI: Miami." He'll soon be coming back to life in his other, more lucrative job. Gasol is expected to return Thursday against the Chicago Bulls after sitting out 11 games because of a strained right hamstring. "Sounds good to me," he said Tuesday. The Lakers' forward-center shot with the team at Tuesday morning's shoot-around and reported only a small amount of pain. "A little sore here and there, but the good thing is the hamstring has responded well," he said. "It's really promising." Of course, Gasol's recent improvement didn't come without a round of ribbing from Lakers Coach Phil ..."

Lakers have no shot in loss; Bryant nursing groin injury

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November 16

L.A. Daily News

"It wasn't so much the sights that were so strangely unfamiliar Sunday night at Staples Center, but there also were the sounds. There were long stretches of uncomfortable silence, followed by audible grumbling and, finally, boos. Waves of discontent washed over the out of sync Lakers as they turned in a second consecutive clunker and fell with a thud to the opportunistic Houston Rockets 101-91 in front of a confused sellout crowd of 18,997. The normal rhythm of the Lakers' game was absent. They shot a miserable 38.1 percent (32 for 84). They were hammered on the boards by the shorter Rockets, 60-38. They couldn't stop speedy guard Aaron Brooks, who torched them for a career-high 33 points ..."

Lakers' Gasol still awaits season's greeting

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November 12

L.A. Daily News

"Thanksgiving is still a few weeks away, but already the countdown to Christmas has begun. This year, the Christmas season might mark the season debut of a certain 7-foot Spaniard to the Lakers' lineup. That's right, Christmas. After giving daily updates and forecasts about when All-Star forward Pau Gasol and his stubborn right hamstring might finally be fit enough to play, Lakers coach Phil Jackson teasingly said Wednesday that Gasol might not play until Christmas. Just how much Jackson might've been teasing - or needling Gasol - with that comment is unclear. For his part, the Spaniard said he wanted to have at least two days of pain-free running on a treadmill and at least a couple of ..."

Lakers' Bynum to return Thursday

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November 11

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum joined his teammates for Tuesday's practice, suffered no immediate setbacks and pronounced himself ready to play Thursday against the resurgent Phoenix Suns. A strained right elbow no longer was an issue for him. Bynum sat out the past two games, a pair of ho-hum victories over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday. He was injured in the closing seconds of the Lakers' overtime win over the Houston Rockets on Nov. 4. "It's time for me to go out there and try it out," Bynum said. "No, I'm not going to be cautious. I went out there and banged with DJ (Mbenga) a little bit and nothing bad happened. No swelling came back, so I should be all right." ..."

Lakers center Mbenga also has ailments

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November 9

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum sat out because of a strained right elbow. Again. Pau Gasol sat out because of a strained right hamstring. Again. Coach Phil Jackson revealed that DJ Mbenga, the Lakers' third 7-footer, has been suffering from a lingering abdominal injury and tendinitis in his knees and it's been a chore to keep him healthy enough to practice and play in relief of Bynum and Gasol. "His athleticism has been hindered this year by his abdominal injury - partial groin, partial abdominal," Jackson said before the Lakers faced the New Orleans Hornets with Mbenga at center Sunday night at Staples Center. "He has tendinitis, which has kept him from being as active as he'd like to be. So, he's playing ..."

Contract extension for Kobe is in holding pattern

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November 9

Los Angeles Times

"Kobe Bryant has not signed a contract extension. In fact, it might not happen at all this season. The Lakers guard is under contract until July 2011, but he seems to be in no hurry to extend his deal. The Lakers have offered Bryant the maximum money he could earn. On top of the total of $47.8 million he is scheduled to make this season and next, he can sign a three-year extension worth $86 million to $91 million more, depending on NBA salary-cap figures to be determined in 2011. Such a move would keep him with the Lakers through the 2013-14 sea- son. But Bryant, 31, was tight-lipped when asked about the absence of an extension."

Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol to miss another game

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November 8

Los Angeles Times

"Because the healing process has been slow, Lakers center Andrew Bynum and forward Pau Gasol will miss another game. Neither was able to practice Saturday and neither will play tonight when the Lakers face the struggling New Orleans Hornets at Staples Center. Bynum will miss his second consecutive game because of a strained right elbow. Gasol will miss his seventh consecutive game because of a strained right hamstring. "Hopefully, I can make it back by Thursday," Bynum said. "It's just a waiting game, really. I don't know, man. Just doing some treatment, doing a little bit of things, but it's basically got to heal up.""

Lakers big men Bynum and Gasol likely out Friday against Memphis

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November 6

L.A. Daily News

"Andrew Bynum's injured right elbow isn't as bad as originally thought, but he still might not play tonight against the Memphis Grizzlies. Bynum said it was doubtful he could play after an MRI exam revealed he has a strained elbow. Pau Gasol's strained right hamstring has healed, but he said it would be "very doubtful" that he could play tonight against his brother, Marc, and the Grizzlies. Gasol practiced with his teammates, but indicated he's not ready to play yet. Gasol did not participate in the full-contact portion of Thursday's practice. What might Lakers coach Phil Jackson do if neither of his 7-footers is sound enough to play against the Grizzlies? Well, he could give DJ Mbenga, the ..."

Lakers win, but Bynum leaves game with an elbow sprain

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November 5

Los Angeles Times

"The Lakers won another game but might have lost another big man. Pau Gasol is a little closer to returning, but Andrew Bynum was injured toward the end of the Lakers' 103-102 overtime victory Wednesday over the Houston Rockets. Bynum was fouled hard across his right arm while going up for a shot and sustained a sprained elbow with 24.7 seconds left in overtime. He will be re-evaluated today in Los Angeles. "I can't even lift my arm right now," Bynum said. "They just took a shot at me. That's that, I guess. It's not that bad. It just takes a little while to heal up." Anybody ready for Lamar Odom at center? On the day that Gasol was cleared to resume basketball-related activities, the Lakers ..."

Grizzlies courting Abdul-Jabbar

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October 28

L.A. Daily News

"The Memphis Grizzlies asked for and received permission to speak to Hall of Fame center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, possibly about a position with the team, a Lakers spokesman said Tuesday. Abdul-Jabbar attended opening night festivities at Staples Center, but declined to comment. Abdul-Jabbar, whose role as a special assistant to Lakers coach Phil Jackson has been decreased this season, attended the Grizzlies' practice Monday. He also had dinner with the Grizzlies' big men Sunday, according to a report in a Memphis newspaper. The Grizzlies declined comment when asked by a reporter from the Memphis Commercial-Appeal whether they would hire Abdul-Jabbar or what his role might be. Abdul-Jabbar, 62, ..."

Isiah 'blindsided' by Johnson's book

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October 23

New York Post

"A feud between Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas escalated yesterday when the former Knicks president lashed out at the Lakers legend for destroying him in a new book. That Johnson stated his longtime mistrust of Thomas smacks of irony. In 2004, Johnson strongly lobbied to then Garden president Steve Mills to hire Thomas to run the Knicks. Johnson was initially offered the Knicks presidency but turned it down. Mills left the Garden more than a year ago to work for Johnson. In the book, "When the Game was Ours," Johnson admitted he led the charge to have Thomas blackballed from the Olympic Dream Team in 1992 and, shockingly, accused Thomas of spreading rumors he was gay/bisexual after Johnson ..."

Gasol might miss Lakers' opener

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October 23

Los Angeles Times

"When the Lakers boarded a row of double-decker buses for their championship parade in June, they should have left one seat open, reserved for Good Fortune. They managed to keep almost everybody off the injured list, an often-overlooked part of their successful season. Kobe Bryant played in all 105 of their games. Pau Gasol played in 104. So did Derek Fisher. Andrew Bynum missed 32 because of a torn knee ligament, but his replacement in the starting lineup, Lamar Odom, missed only four games. With a handful of days until they begin their title defense, however, the Lakers are already dealing with injuries. For starters, Gasol might be sidelined for the season opener."

Jackson promises peace vs. Bryant

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October 20

Contra Costa Times

"Warriors swingman Stephen Jackson promises there won't be any drama between him and Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant when the two match up tonight in Ontario. "I guarantee you I won't feed into the nonsense," Jackson said after Monday's practice. "Because I know if it comes down to it, if we had a real fight, I know what would happen. So I'm just going to leave it alone and go out there and play basketball." The last time Jackson and Bryant matched up, on Oct. 9 at the Forum in Los Angeles, Jackson wound up getting suspended for two games after a run-in with coach Don Nelson. Tonight, though, Nelson won't be on the sidelines. He's with his wife, Joy, in Southern California after her ..."

Lamar Odom leaves game with right leg contusion

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October 16

Los Angeles Times

"Quick word from Lamar Odom after Friday's 97-92 win over the Kings in Las Vegas. LO limped to the locker room at the end of the first half after getting kicked in the right shin, possibly by Sacramento's Jon Brockman, who was locked in a scrum on the floor with Ron Artest. Josh Powell started the second half, and when Odom tried to enter the game he quickly had to check out, clearly in pain. After the game, he wasn't worried. "I'm alright. It'll be alright. They were wrestling down there, Ron, the wrestler and Brockman, they were wrestling and someone down there kicked me," Odom said. "Front side. Right side on my shin. Right on the muscle there. It's a tough place to get hit. Treatment, ..."

Rambis agrees to four-year, $8 million deal to coach Minnesota

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August 9

L.A. Daily News

"Assistant coach Kurt Rambis will leave the Lakers to take over as head coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, according to an Internet report Saturday night. ESPN.com reported the Timberwolves will hire Rambis, who has spent the past 10 years as an assistant with the Lakers and served as interim head coach during the 1998-99 season. He went 24-13. According to reports from ESPN and the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Rambis will receive a four-year deal worth $8 million. ESPN reported Rambis will be introduced as the Timberwolves' new coach at a Tuesday news conference. Rambis' hiring would be an irony of sorts in that he would be replacing Kevin McHale, with whom he had an altercation during the ..."

Lakers assistant Rambis front-runner for Minnesota Timberwolves job

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August 6

L.A. Daily News

"Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis has emerged as the top candidate to fill the Minnesota Timberwolves' coaching vacancy, according to an Internet report Wednesday afternoon. Rambis was expected to be offered the job soon, Yahoo! Sports said. Rambis also interviewed with the Philadelphia 76 ers and the Sacramento Kings in June, while the Lakers were en route to winning the NBA title. The 76 ers hired Eddie Jordan. Rambis turned down an offer from the Kings, who then hired Paul Westphal. According to the Yahoo! Sports report, Rambis moved ahead of former NBA guard Mark Jackson and current Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner. Rambis had yet to meet with Minnesota owner Glen Taylor, according ..."

Lamar Odom agrees to return to Lakers

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July 30

Los Angeles Times

"The Lakers reached a deal to re-sign free-agent forward Lamar Odom today, retaining an important, and versatile, part of last season's championship run, a source close to the negotiations told the Times. Odom, a 6-foot-10 forward, has been a key player on the Lakers for five seasons. He became an unrestricted free agent in July. ESPN.com reported that the deal was worth $33 million over the four years if the Lakers exercise the final year of the contract. It was widely known that Odom, who will be 30 in November, would have to take a pay cut because of his age, the declining economy and the small number of teams that were far enough under the NBA salary cap to make a legitimate offer to ..."

Source: Odom, Lakers agree on deal

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July 30

ESPN.com

"Free agent forward Lamar Odom will return to the Los Angeles Lakers, an NBA source said Thursday. One source with knowledge of the talks told ESPN.com the four-year deal is worth $33 million if the Lakers exercise the final season. One source close to the process said Odom will come away with a guaranteed $27 million from the new contract, matching the original value of the three-year, $27 million deal Lakers owner Jerry Buss pulled off the table earlier this month. It's believed that the structure of the new deal calls for Odom to earn $25 million over the first three seasons, with the Lakers owing him $2 million in the fourth year if they elect not to pick up their team option. Reached ..."

Pursuit of Lamar Odom puts Riley's negotiation skills to test

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July 29

Miami Herald

"As the story goes, team president Pat Riley was in a room a few months back with dozens of Miami Heat fans on the verge of canceling their season tickets. The reasons they gave ranged from having to make sacrifices in a slumping economy to the Heat's gradual drop off since the team won its lone NBA title in 2006. Riley listened to each concern, rubbed his chin and launched his best sales pitch. ``I had an opportunity to speak with three groups that were on the fence for a number of reasons -- the economy, the product, the price,'' Riley said as he recalled the impact of his message. ``And they all renewed. So just get in a room and let me talk.'' If only things were that simple with the ..."

Source: Lakers reduce offer for Odom

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July 27

ESPN.com

"As Lamar Odom continues to mull his future, still hopeful that an improved offer for the Los Angeles Lakers is forthcoming, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade is trying as hard as he can to convince Odom to end his free-agent wait. Wade announced via his Twitter account late Sunday night that he has flown to Los Angeles to "bring Odom bac (sic)" to the Heat. That was Wade's follow-up to an earlier weekend tweet in which he implored Odom to "come back to where it started for the both of us." Although it's unclear how much impact Wade's ongoing recruiting efforts will have on his former teammate -- or if Heat president Pat Riley, who's also in L.A. this week, will be meeting face-to-face with Odom ..."

Lamar Odom apparently not the ultimate long shot for the Heat

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July 26

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"A Lamar Odom reunion with the Miami Heat apparently is not the ultimate longshot, even for a player coming off a championship season and facing a significant pay cut. Yahoo.com reported Saturday that the Los Angeles Lakers forward is "leaning strongly toward accepting" a Heat offer that would start next season at the $5.9 million mid-level salary-cap exception. Odom, who earned $14.1 million last season, on the final year of the deal he signed with the Heat in 2003 before being dealt a year later to the Lakers in a package for Shaquille O'Neal, entered the offseason aware he would have to take a reduced salary. However, amid negotiations with the Lakers that have included an offer limited ..."

Sources: Odom leaning toward signing with Heat

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July 25

Yahoo! Sports

"Lamar Odom is leaning strongly toward accepting the Miami Heat's contract offer and leaving the Los Angeles Lakers, multiple sources with knowledge of the talks said. Odom has not reached a final decision, the sources said, but there is growing belief he will ultimately return to the Heat unless the Lakers improve their current offer. "It's close, but it's not done," said one source. Lakers officials and Odom's representatives resumed talking after a weeklong standoff that began when Jerry Buss, the team's owner, withdrew a four-year, $36 million offer that guaranteed $30 million. Sources close to Odom said that while the two sides have since talked, Buss is now offering less than the ..."

Odom and Lakers resume talks

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July 23

Los Angeles Times

"Is the table being set again? A week after the Lakers pulled a pair of contract offers to Lamar Odom off the table, the sides resumed talks Wednesday. The discussions were labeled productive, but there was nothing to report "at the moment," according to a source familiar with negotiations who was not authorized to comment publicly. It didn't look great last week for Odom's return to the Lakers after the franchise yanked its offers of three years and $30 million or four years and $36 million, with the fourth year only partially guaranteed. But the sides began communicating in a more positive light Wednesday. Financial details were not immediately available, though the Lakers were not ..."

Fisher takes a shot at keeping Odom as a Lakers teammate

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July 22

Los Angeles Times

"It seemed like a clever gimmick when Lakers guard Derek Fisher, actor David Arquette and fast-food icon Ronald McDonald heaved 33-foot shots from a third-story balcony at L.A. Live on Tuesday to publicize the Lakers 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament to be held Aug. 14-16 and benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California. Under difficult circumstances, Fisher gave it his all. He tried flinging. He tried finessing. He shot from a running start. He shot from a standing start. Though known for his clutch long-range shooting, he couldn't get anything to fall and had to watch avid Lakers fan Arquette make the only shot while TV cameras were rolling. In an ideal world, Lamar Odom ..."

Latest chatter: Sessions over A.I.?

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July 17

ESPN.com

"Here is the latest assemblage of chatter culled from conversations with a variety of knowledgeable sources -- front-office executives, coaches, players and agents -- camped at the NBA's annual summer league here in Vegas. The distinct vibe in the stands at UNLV's Cox Pavilion is that the Clippers -- apart from owner Donald Sterling -- would greatly prefer to add more of a set-up man to a backcourt rotation that already features Baron Davis and emerging star Eric Gordon as opposed to signing Allen Iverson to a one-year deal up to the full $5.9 million midlevel exception. The top choice in that scenario? Extending an offer sheet to restricted free agent Ramon Sessions. Yet as we covered here ..."

Heat targeting both Boozer and Odom

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July 16

Yahoo! Sports

"Pat Riley has listened to Dwyane Wade(notes) express his unease with the Miami Heat sitting out the Eastern Conference's arms race this summer. As the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic elevated themselves as championship contenders, the Heat president sold his superstar on patience, promising a plan to surround him with talent for the long run. Now, the Heat are working furiously to deliver Lamar Odom(notes) and Carlos Boozer(notes) to the shores of Biscayne Bay. The Heat are trying to sell Odom on a five-year, $34 million contract at the mid-level exception, and a league executive with knowledge of the talks says Miami has also hatched a three-way proposal with the ..."

Heat finds itself as leverage in Odom's negotiations with Lakers

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July 16

Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

"If the Miami Heat is being used for leverage when it comes to Lamar Odom's free-agent negotiations with the Los Angeles Lakers, it is safe to say it is a willing participant. While the Heat is limited in the bidding to its $5.9 million mid-level exception, which is roughly one-third of what Odom earned last season and two-thirds of what the Lakers are currently offering, Odom long has remained a favorite of Heat President Pat Riley. Odom, in fact, is coming off of the final year of the free-agent contract he signed with the Heat in 2003, before he was traded the following season to the Lakers in a package for Shaquille O'Neal. Caron Butler, another forward who was sent from the Heat to the ..."

Talks break down between Lakers and Odom

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July 15

Orange County Register

"The Lakers have withdrawn their contract offer to Lamar Odom and talks have broken have broken off for the time being, a team spokesman said Tuesday. Neither Odom nor agent Jeff Schwartz has responded to the Lakers' latest offer of either $30 million over three years or $36 million over four years. Odom, who earned $11.4 million last season, is seeking $10 million a year. Neither Odom nor Schwartz could be reached Tuesday."

Wrong time for Odom to go free

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July 12

L.A. Daily News

columnist Ramona Shelburne

"In this week's edition of "While you were off winning an NBA championship last season," also known as the weekly "How the economic meltdown is affecting professional sports" report, versatile Lakers free agent forward Lamar Odom sits team-less and contract- less on July 12 trying to figure out how to swallow a rather large pay cut after the most successful season of his professional career. Meanwhile, the considerably less-accomplished free agent forward Paul Millsap inks an offer sheet with Portland that will pay him $32 million over the next four seasons. Besides a championship ring, talent-gap and experience, what's the difference between them? Age. Millsap is 24. Odom will 30 later ..."

Lakers GM Kupchak `hopeful' of Odom's return

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July 9

L.A. Daily News

"Because free agent Ron Artest took less money to sign with the Lakers than he might have received elsewhere, it now appears general manager Mitch Kupchak might have an easier time re-signing Lamar Odom. Kupchak said Wednesday he remained "hopeful" a deal could be struck soon. "If we would have gone down another avenue and agreed to something we didn't think made sense, I'm not sure we'd be in a position to bring everybody back," Kupchak said, referring to Odom and Shannon Brown. When negotiations on a new contract for free agent Trevor Ariza stalled after only a few hours last week, it became obvious to Kupchak that he needed to move in a different direction. So, Kupchak called David ..."

After getting Ron Artest, can they re-sign Lamar Odom?

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July 9

Los Angeles Times

"The Lakers officially signed Ron Artest, in case his smiling visage and lengthy entourage among a throng of reporters at a news conference Wednesday in El Segundo didn't confirm it. But will Artest be the Lakers' only big-name announcement this summer? The Lakers remain far apart in negotiations with unrestricted free agent Lamar Odom, a chasm that probably widened with the NBA's announcement of a lower salary cap for next season. In figures released by the NBA, the salary cap fell for only the second time since it was introduced in 1984, a nod to the severity of the economic slowdown. Of greater importance to the Lakers, who knew they were tens of millions of dollars over the salary cap, ..."

Lakers still unsure about Odom's future plans

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July 8

L.A. Daily News

"Ron Artest is coming. Shannon Brown is returning. Trevor Ariza is leaving. What about Lamar Odom? The Lakers' free-agent negotiations produced a surprising agreement with Artest and a predictable one with Brown, sandwiched around the loss of Ariza to the Houston Rockets. There has been hardly a trickle of information about Odom, however. Today is the first full day free agents can sign new contracts. Artest and Brown signed their deals with the Lakers on Tuesday night. Ariza could have done the same with the Rockets. It's uncertain what Odom's day will bring. He wants to re-sign with the Lakers and the Lakers want him back. There's been a near-total news blackout, however. Odom and the ..."

Trail Blazers interested in Lamar Odom

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July 7

OregonLive.com

"Ken Berger at cbssports.com is reporting that "a coaching source" said the Trail Blazers are interested in Lamar Odom. Despite reports that the Trail Blazers were preparing to make a major bid for Knicks restricted free agent David Lee, a coaching source familiar with the situation said Portland is more interested in the Lakers' Lamar Odom. And the source described the Odom situation with Portland as "lukewarm.""

Artest joins Lakers, Ariza set for Houston in virtual swap

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July 4

Denver Post

"Ron Artest, the mercurial forward who has bounced from Chicago to Indiana to Sacramento to Houston, has landed in Los Angeles, and Trevor Ariza is on his way to the Rockets. Artest, 29, said Thursday he has agreed to a contract that will make him a Laker next season. The Lakers cannot comment on pending deals - contracts cannot be signed until Wednesday - but Artest's agent, David Bauman, said the deal was for five years and between $34 million and $35 million. "I don't care about the money," said Artest, who played for the Rockets this past season. "I'll play there for nothing. L.A. was very interested in me, and they got me." Artest's presence meant the Lakers probably would have had to ..."

Trevor Ariza talks with Rockets

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July 2

Los Angeles Times

"The Trevor Ariza NBA tour has officially begun. The Lakers' free-agent forward is meeting today in Las Vegas with Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey and Coach Rick Adelman, according to Ariza's agent. "They both flew in to meet him," agent David Lee said. Ariza has also had a discussion with Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James about joining the Cavaliers."

Cleveland Cavaliers reportedly make a play for Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza

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July 2

Cleveland Plain Dealer

"Two players who didn't seem like they were going to be available to the Cavaliers ended up in the team's crosshairs at the end of day one of the NBA free-agency period. According to several league sources, the Cavs are attempting to land Houston Rockets free-agent forward Ron Artest, and the pitch included a meeting with LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles as both were in Southern California for various events. In addition, a league source indicated the team is trying to attract Los Angeles Lakers swingman Trevor Ariza, who appears to be disgruntled with the Lakers' early attempts to re-sign him. Ariza's agent, David Lee, told the Riverside, Calif., Press-Enterprise Wednesday, ..."

Ariza keeps his intentions unknown

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July 2

Orange County Register

"Trevor Ariza wants to remain with the Lakers. He said as much during his exit interview. But the free agent didn't say much more than that during a radio interview Wednesday, declining to reveal if he will re-sign with the team. Ariza, Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown became free agents Tuesday night. Ariza is expected to be one of the hottest free agents on the market because of his athleticism and defensive abilities. He is expected try to double his current $3.1 million Lakers contract. "It's a business and I understand that business side of it," Ariza said on KSPN/710. "(And) I have to do what I have to do in the business side of things. It's exciting, it's a good experience for me and I'm ..."

Lakers are far apart with free agents Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom

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July 2

Los Angeles Times

"The Lakers had a near-perfect June, breezing through the NBA Finals in five games and capping it off with a victory parade and championship rally under sunny Southern California skies. The first day of July, however, wasn't as picturesque. The Lakers remained far apart on negotiations Wednesday with their two main free-agent pieces, forwards Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. In particular, Ariza and his agent weren't thrilled by the Lakers' annual offer of $5.6 million over an unspecified number of years. Ariza, 24, was hoping for $7 million to $8 million a year. Odom, 29, is believed to be seeking $10 million a year, though it was unclear what the Lakers offered him. Ariza's agent, David Lee, ..."

Bryant decides not to opt out

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July 1

Orange County Register

"Kobe Bryant isn't going anywhere, just as he said. At least it seems not for the coming year. By not contacting the Lakers via phone or fax by Tuesday's 9 p.m. deadline, indications are the star guard elected not to terminate his contract early and become an unrestricted free agent, a move that could give him leverage down the road. Bryant, who will earn $23 million next season, is believed to be seeking a new five-year deal from the Lakers worth $135 million. "This is my home," Bryant told the crowd during a rally at the Coliseum after the team's celebratory parade. Bryant, who turns 31 in August, could have opted out and sought another team to pay his hefty asking price. But only ..."

Can Lakers keep pieces to championship puzzle?

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July 1

Orange County Register

columnist Jeff Miller

"Even fate, it now appears, is a Lakers fan. Can't you just see fate, in a purple-and-gold feather boa, Kobe jersey and Kurt Rambis glasses, looking cheerleader enough to work in local radio? That can be the only explanation for why everything keeps coming up Laker these days. From the forgiving end of the regular season to the accommodating run through the playoffs to the friendly pairing with overmatched Orlando to this: A free-agent period thin enough on money and buyers that the Lakers might be able to keep both Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom. What next, Vic the Brick's beard refereeing next season's Lakers-Cavaliers Finals? In a normal world, the economy wouldn't have eroded to the point ..."

Duke coach Krzyzewski: `I'm not going to the Lakers'

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July 1

L.A. Daily News

"Longtime Duke coach quashes rumors about him taking over NBA champions should Jackson decide to retire. DURHAM, N.C. - Mike Krzyzewski made it clear: He's not ever going to coach the Lakers. During his annual summer meeting with reporters Tuesday, one of the first topics covered by the Duke coach was the simmering buzz that had him leaving the Blue Devils for the Lakers if Phil Jackson retires. "I'm not going to the Lakers. They have one of the great coaches in the game," Krzyzewski said. "I don't know where that rumor started, but there has been nothing done like that, and I'm not leaving Duke. Whatever you hear about anything like that, I will never leave Duke until I leave coaching." ..."

If Kobe Bryant wants a new contract, today's the deadline to ask

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June 30

Los Angeles Times

"Where's Kobe Bryant? Today is the last day for Bryant to terminate his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, but the Lakers hadn't received any notice as of Monday night from the NBA Finals MVP. If Bryant wants to opt out of his contract, he needs to officially notify the Lakers via fax by the end of today. The Lakers declined to comment. Bryant's agent, Rob Pelinka, did not return a phone call. Knowing Bryant's flair for the dramatic, it could be a wait-until-the-last-minute decision. It wouldn't be the first time. As a free agent in 2004, he made the Lakers and Clippers wait until the last possible second before announcing he would sign a seven-year contract with the Lakers. ..."

Ariza bleeds purple and gold

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June 30

Orange County Register

"Having just gotten off the phone with Trevor Ariza's agent, it seems the Lakers forward seriously wants to re-sign with the team. How much? Well, for one he is a Los Angeles guy, having grown up here and played high school (Westchester) and college (UCLA) here. Plus, having grown up here, he has been a lifelong Lakers fan. "If Trevor falls down and bruises his knee, he bleeds purple and gold," said Ariza's agent, David Lee said Tuesday morning. Lee doesn't beat around the bush. He said the Lakers should make Ariza a priority, however, he also expects his cell phone to be ringing constantly after 9 p.m. today, when free agency begins. Ariza is considered a hot (hottest) commodity on the ..."

Will Lakers -- or someone else -- show them the money?

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June 30

L.A. Daily News

"One by one, they said they hoped to come back to play for another NBA championship next season. Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown said they were happy and at home with the Lakers and wanted to re-sign with the team. The Lakers want them back, too. General manager Mitch Kupchak and coach Phil Jackson each said the journey to a second consecutive league title begins by re-signing the three unrestricted free agents. Kupchak made two moves toward retaining the services of Ariza, Odom and Brown when he traded two of the Lakers' three draft picks for cash and future selections. He didn't want to add players or their salaries to the roster. The next and most important step begins at 9 ..."

Knicks buy Lakers' pick

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June 25

Yahoo! Sports

"New York Knicks officials are telling peers they have purchased the Lakers' No. 29 pick. The Knicks are planning to draft a point guard with their choice at No. 8, and sources say they're targeting a big man at 29. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said on Wednesday the team hoped to sell its pick and use to money to help re-sign free agents Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza."

Rumor Roundup: Brand, McGrady, Rondo, Darko, Farmar

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June 25

SI.com

"The 76ers have shopped Elton Brand. ... Other teams "very aggressive" in pursuit of Tracy McGrady, according to Rockets GM Daryl Morey. ... The agent for Rajon Rondo, the subject of trade rumors, is unhappy with Celtics boss Danny Ainge. ... The Knicks are close to acquiring Darko Milicic. ... The Lakers have contacted Houston about acquiring Jordan Farmar or buying their first-round pick."

Lakers likely to stay put, trade top pick

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June 25

Orange County Register

"Mitch Kupchak has his eye on specific players in today's NBA draft. The Lakers general manager knows exactly which players he wants to take with the team's three draft picks. "Blake Griffin, Ricky Rubio and (Hasheem) Thabeet," Kupchak said Wednesday with a straight face, adding, "if they're available." Kupchak's glib remark evoked laughter from the media that attended Wednesday's briefing on which players the Lakers might choose with their three picks. Kupchak's other answers were not as quick or easily forthcoming. With three potential free agents, Kobe Bryant opting out and the Lakers' desire to keep intact their NBA championship team, Kupchak doesn't possess clear-cut ideas of how the ..."

Lakers Trade Rumors