Kobe Bryant wasn't tipping his hand as the clock ticked down on the final hours of the NBA's two-week moratorium on trades and free agent signings.
Eager to learn his choice, but uncertain when that decision might come, the LA Lakers and LA Clippers awaited word from Bryant or one of his agents Tuesday.
Both clubs made formal presentations to the free agent guard on Monday.
The end of the moratorium was to coincide with the league releasing the new salary cap figure for the 2004-2005 season, an announcement that will impact the size of Bryant's new contract -- and those of several other free agents.
Bryant will be eligible to receive a starting salary equal to 30 percent of the cap, which was US$43.84 million last season.
Several lesser free agents also were awaiting salary cap calculations to determine the amount of the average salary, which will be the starting salary in 2004-2005 for any of them who receive the full midlevel exception from a team already over the salary cap.
While Bryant made everyone in Los Angeles wait, and while his agent, Rob Pelinka, again did not return several phone messages, the process of trading Shaquille O'Neal was being set in motion.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat were expected to complete a deal Wednesday sending O'Neal to the Heat for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a first-round draft pick.
A few free agents were expected to sign offer sheets after the moratorium expired at 0400 GMT Wednesday, while others -- most notably Steve Nash going from Dallas to Phoenix -- would finally be allowed to sign the deals they agreed to during the first two weeks of this month.
other top free agents
Among the top free agents whose plans were not yet known were Rasheed Wallace of the NBA champion Detroit Pistons, Erick Dampier of the Golden State Warriors, Karl Malone of the Los Angeles Lakers, Vlade Divac of Sacramento, Derek Fisher of the Lakers, Darius Miles of Portland and Kenyon Martin of New Jersey.
Martin was weighing whether to sign an offer sheet with Atlanta or Denver after sign-and-trade discussions between the Nuggets and Nets broke down.
Malone, puzzled by the breakup of the Lakers, was being courted by the Spurs.
"Without a doubt I'm serious [about the Spurs]," Malone told the San Antonio Express-News. "I've had serious dialogue with them, and more than once. I've talked to Coach [Gregg] Popovich two or three times and [general manager] R.C. [Buford] one or two times. They call about every other day. I've had great dialogue with them."
Malone, however, said he will not make a decision on next season until he knows whether he can perform at 100 percent of his capability. He recently underwent surgery on his left knee, which he sprained twice last season.
Boozer's story
The Utah Jazz were waiting to see whether Carlos Boozer would accept their six-year, US$68 million offer sheet.
The Cleveland Cavaliers believed they had an understanding with Boozer when they did not pick up the third-year option on his contract, but Boozer denied any agreement was in place and accepted US$27 million more than Cleveland could pay him.
"For [the Cavaliers] taking shots at my character is incredibly wrong, and I don't understand that," Boozer told The Plain Dealer for a story Tuesday.
"I thought I had a great relationship with them. Maybe they're trying to save face or trying to make up stuff and kill my character. And if that's the road they want to take, that's OK."
done deals
Among the free agents who reportedly agreed to deals during the moratorium were:
-- Miami guard Rafer Alston going to Toronto for US$28 million over five years.
-- Seattle guard Brent Barry joining San Antonio for four years and US$23 million.
-- Boston center Mark Blount staying with the Celtics for US$42 million over six years.
-- San Antonio forward Bruce Bowen staying with the Spurs for US$12 million over three years.
-- Denver center Marcus Camby agreeing to return to the Nuggets.
-- Golden State forward Brian Cardinal joining the Memphis Grizzlies for US$38 million over six years.
-- Dallas guard Marquis Daniels staying with the Mavericks for six years and US$38 million.
-- Denver center Michael Doleac joining Miami for four years and US$12 million.
-- Warriors center Adonal Foyle re-signing with Golden State for six years and US$42 million.
-- Manu Ginobili agreeing to stay in San Antonio for six years and US$52 million.
-- Troy Hudson opting to stay in Minnesota for five years and US$31 million.
-- Stephen Jackson of the Hawks set to go to the Indiana Pacers in a sign-and-trade deal for Al Harrington.
-- Antonio McDyess leaving Phoenix to join the Pistons for four years and US$23 million.
-- Pistons forward Mehmet Okur joining the Jazz for six years and US$50 million.
-- Clippers guard Quentin Richardson expected to receive a US$48 million offer sheet from Phoenix.
-- Milwaukee Bucks forward Brian Skinner rejoining one if his former teams, Philadelphia, for five years and US$25 million.
-- Washington center Etan Thomas joining the Bucks for US$38 million for six years.
-- Spurs swingman Hedo Turkoglu signing an offer sheet with the Orlando Magic for six years and US$38 million.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely