The reality is that the Washington Wizards had decided even before Josh Howard tore his left ACL last week that they would not be picking up his $11.8 million option for next season. The Wiz essentially regarded Howard as an expiring contract when they acquired him from Dallas in the deal that cost them Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood, knowing that the ability to pass on the team option in Howard's deal would help Washington create significant salary-cap space this summer to greet the expected ownership transfer to Washington Capitals boss Ted Leonsis. - ESPN
The Sixers have yet to officially announce that Allen Iverson has played his last game for them, but the players certainly think so. Elton Brand said Iverson was a fine teammate on and off the court, but he’s not counting on him to return. Iverson recently took a second leave of absence to be with his ailing young daughter. “He made guys want to play hard,” Brand said. “He wasn’t late for a meeting or late for a practice. All the [past] stuff you heard wasn’t him here. But I don’t expect him to come back.” - Yahoo! Sports
Free agent Larry Hughes is determined to show he can still be productive in the league after being buried on the New York Knicks’ bench. Hughes is getting interest from several teams, his agent Jeff Wechsler told Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski. “Larry’s got a chip on his shoulder to show everybody he can still play,” Wechsler said. Hughes was recently waived after being traded to Sacramento. - Yahoo! Sports
Sixers center Francisco Elson is expected to have his contract bought out before Monday’s deadline, so he can be eligible to play in the postseason for another team, a league source said. The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz are among the teams who could show interest, a source said. The 7-foot center has not reported to the Sixers after recently being acquired from Milwaukee. He is expected to be cleared soon to play after having hernia surgery Feb. 1. - Yahoo! Sports
Veteran forward Kenny Thomas is a candidate for the Trail Blazers' 15th roster spot, according to the player's agent, Mark McNeil. The Blazers have one open roster spot, and must sign a player before Monday in order for that player to be eligible for the playoffs. Thomas, 32, was waived by Sacramento on Feb.18. "We've talked and we plan to speak again between now and Monday,'' McNeil said Friday. - Oregonian
The Jazz haven’t sat down to talk about candidates, but what’s so intriguing is that they could really go with anybody. A big man might be preferable, but the Jazz also could opt for a wing. They won’t add a fourth point guard, however. Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor wants a player with experience, but that’s not necessarily a 10-year veteran. The Jazz would likely somebody who could help them on the court, but most importantly they don’t want to mess with their chemistry. - Salt Lake Tribune
Already owning about $23 million in salary-cap space for this summer’s free-agent market, the New Jersey Nets could have tried to clear another $5 million before the trade deadline to give them enough room to sign two max-level players. But with a few talented young players, along with some draft picks to dangle, the Nets didn’t find a deal to their liking. “We had talks with several teams, but we never came close to completing anything,” Nets president Rod Thorn said. “The free-agency market has changed because you have seven teams with $15 million or more under the salary cap. There are a lot of teams who, at least in theory, could sign a max free agent.” - Yahoo! Sports
One source with knowledge of Memphis' thinking told ESPN.com that Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins was high on Thabeet going into the draft as well. Yet Heisley is widely regarded as the voice that pushed hardest for the selection of Thabeet, which only makes this story wilder. You'd figure box-office reasons would be the primary consideration when an owner wants a certain player drafted. The decision not to select local collegiate star Tyreke Evans at No. 2 gets even more curious when you're reminded that Heisley was hooked more than anyone else in the organization on Thabeet's size (7-foot-3) and wingspan. - ESPN
Lakers center Andrew Bynum was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Friday for criticizing referees after the Lakers' 101-96 loss Wednesday at Dallas. "It's hard to win when it's five against eight," Bynum told reporters after the game, a thinly veiled reference to the three referees. - Los Angeles Times
While it still seems to be a pretty silly use of the NBA's time, the league's decision not to allow Caron Butler to chew on a straw when he plays has some merit to Jason Terry. "Kids are going to do what we do,'' he said. "That's just the way it is. I can see why they're doing it for safety's sake. But I don't know about all those years in Washington.'' - Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Now Brand can’t even bring himself to tune into the All-Star game. “I haven’t watched it since ’06,” Brand said. “It’s tough. It’s tough to see guys where you think, ‘I can play better than him’ or ‘I could do this.’ “The young stars end up taking over for the older guys. There are a lot of young guys with a lot of game. I saw it when I was a young guy taking guys’ spots. But I’m not ready to concede my spot yet.” - Yahoo! Sports
Contentious talks between the NBA and the players union pose the threat of a lockout in 2011, and some collegians might want the immediate payday instead of waiting and earning nothing next year if the league shuts down. "The likelihood is people will panic" and enter the draft prematurely, agent David Falk, who represented Michael Jordan during his NBA career, said this week. "You should come out when you're ready to make an impact." - USA Today
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said Friday he would be happy if Vinny Del Negro returns as his head coach next season, and Rose believes there's a good chance Chicago will land a major free agent this summer. "Oh definitely, if he comes back I'll be happy," Rose said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "If not, that's not really up to me, it's up to the front office. "He's doing a good job with us, the coaching staff is doing a good job with us. He usually lets me go out there and play and lets me make the best of my mistakes. No matter what, he always tells me I'm doing a good job, and he's always showing me video. I don't have anything to complain about." - ESPN
The list of South Florida athletes who have been arrested grew on Friday. Coral Gables Police arrested Heat star Carlos Arroyo just before 9 a.m. Friday. Arroyo was arrested on charges of failure to obey a lawful order and resisting arrest without violence. According to Coral Gables Police, a detective followed Arroyo after he saw the Heat player driving slowly and holding up traffic. The detective asked for a marked unit to make a traffic stop on Arroyo. - CBS 4
Samuel Dalembert, the 76ers' center, has been named the winner of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January, recognizing his philanthropic and charitable work in his homeland of Haiti. Since last month's devastating earthquake in Haiti, Dalembert has made two trips there and has made personal donations of more than $120,000 to the U.S. Fund For UNICEF. Dalembert will receive the David Robinson Plaque, and a $5,000 donation will be made by the NBA to support his foundation. - Philadelphia Daily News
He has been called the NBA’s greatest player and one of the country’s top pitchmen. Now Michael Jordan is ready for a new title: NBA owner. With minutes to go until his exclusive negotiating window was to expire, Jordan struck a deal late Friday night to buy controlling interest of the Charlotte Bobcats, putting the six-time NBA champion in charge of the money-losing team in his home state. - Yahoo! Sports
The Sixers have yet to officially announce that Allen Iverson has played his last game for them, but the players certainly think so. Elton Brand said Iverson was a fine teammate on and off the court, but he’s not counting on him to return. Iverson recently took a second leave of absence to be with his ailing young daughter. “He made guys want to play hard,” Brand said. “He wasn’t late for a meeting or late for a practice. All the [past] stuff you heard wasn’t him here. But I don’t expect him to come back.” - Yahoo! Sports
Free agent Larry Hughes is determined to show he can still be productive in the league after being buried on the New York Knicks’ bench. Hughes is getting interest from several teams, his agent Jeff Wechsler told Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski. “Larry’s got a chip on his shoulder to show everybody he can still play,” Wechsler said. Hughes was recently waived after being traded to Sacramento. - Yahoo! Sports
Sixers center Francisco Elson is expected to have his contract bought out before Monday’s deadline, so he can be eligible to play in the postseason for another team, a league source said. The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz are among the teams who could show interest, a source said. The 7-foot center has not reported to the Sixers after recently being acquired from Milwaukee. He is expected to be cleared soon to play after having hernia surgery Feb. 1. - Yahoo! Sports
Veteran forward Kenny Thomas is a candidate for the Trail Blazers' 15th roster spot, according to the player's agent, Mark McNeil. The Blazers have one open roster spot, and must sign a player before Monday in order for that player to be eligible for the playoffs. Thomas, 32, was waived by Sacramento on Feb.18. "We've talked and we plan to speak again between now and Monday,'' McNeil said Friday. - Oregonian
The Jazz haven’t sat down to talk about candidates, but what’s so intriguing is that they could really go with anybody. A big man might be preferable, but the Jazz also could opt for a wing. They won’t add a fourth point guard, however. Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor wants a player with experience, but that’s not necessarily a 10-year veteran. The Jazz would likely somebody who could help them on the court, but most importantly they don’t want to mess with their chemistry. - Salt Lake Tribune
Already owning about $23 million in salary-cap space for this summer’s free-agent market, the New Jersey Nets could have tried to clear another $5 million before the trade deadline to give them enough room to sign two max-level players. But with a few talented young players, along with some draft picks to dangle, the Nets didn’t find a deal to their liking. “We had talks with several teams, but we never came close to completing anything,” Nets president Rod Thorn said. “The free-agency market has changed because you have seven teams with $15 million or more under the salary cap. There are a lot of teams who, at least in theory, could sign a max free agent.” - Yahoo! Sports
One source with knowledge of Memphis' thinking told ESPN.com that Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins was high on Thabeet going into the draft as well. Yet Heisley is widely regarded as the voice that pushed hardest for the selection of Thabeet, which only makes this story wilder. You'd figure box-office reasons would be the primary consideration when an owner wants a certain player drafted. The decision not to select local collegiate star Tyreke Evans at No. 2 gets even more curious when you're reminded that Heisley was hooked more than anyone else in the organization on Thabeet's size (7-foot-3) and wingspan. - ESPN
Lakers center Andrew Bynum was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Friday for criticizing referees after the Lakers' 101-96 loss Wednesday at Dallas. "It's hard to win when it's five against eight," Bynum told reporters after the game, a thinly veiled reference to the three referees. - Los Angeles Times
While it still seems to be a pretty silly use of the NBA's time, the league's decision not to allow Caron Butler to chew on a straw when he plays has some merit to Jason Terry. "Kids are going to do what we do,'' he said. "That's just the way it is. I can see why they're doing it for safety's sake. But I don't know about all those years in Washington.'' - Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Now Brand can’t even bring himself to tune into the All-Star game. “I haven’t watched it since ’06,” Brand said. “It’s tough. It’s tough to see guys where you think, ‘I can play better than him’ or ‘I could do this.’ “The young stars end up taking over for the older guys. There are a lot of young guys with a lot of game. I saw it when I was a young guy taking guys’ spots. But I’m not ready to concede my spot yet.” - Yahoo! Sports
Contentious talks between the NBA and the players union pose the threat of a lockout in 2011, and some collegians might want the immediate payday instead of waiting and earning nothing next year if the league shuts down. "The likelihood is people will panic" and enter the draft prematurely, agent David Falk, who represented Michael Jordan during his NBA career, said this week. "You should come out when you're ready to make an impact." - USA Today
Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said Friday he would be happy if Vinny Del Negro returns as his head coach next season, and Rose believes there's a good chance Chicago will land a major free agent this summer. "Oh definitely, if he comes back I'll be happy," Rose said on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on ESPN 1000. "If not, that's not really up to me, it's up to the front office. "He's doing a good job with us, the coaching staff is doing a good job with us. He usually lets me go out there and play and lets me make the best of my mistakes. No matter what, he always tells me I'm doing a good job, and he's always showing me video. I don't have anything to complain about." - ESPN
The list of South Florida athletes who have been arrested grew on Friday. Coral Gables Police arrested Heat star Carlos Arroyo just before 9 a.m. Friday. Arroyo was arrested on charges of failure to obey a lawful order and resisting arrest without violence. According to Coral Gables Police, a detective followed Arroyo after he saw the Heat player driving slowly and holding up traffic. The detective asked for a marked unit to make a traffic stop on Arroyo. - CBS 4
Samuel Dalembert, the 76ers' center, has been named the winner of the NBA Cares Community Assist Award for January, recognizing his philanthropic and charitable work in his homeland of Haiti. Since last month's devastating earthquake in Haiti, Dalembert has made two trips there and has made personal donations of more than $120,000 to the U.S. Fund For UNICEF. Dalembert will receive the David Robinson Plaque, and a $5,000 donation will be made by the NBA to support his foundation. - Philadelphia Daily News
He has been called the NBA’s greatest player and one of the country’s top pitchmen. Now Michael Jordan is ready for a new title: NBA owner. With minutes to go until his exclusive negotiating window was to expire, Jordan struck a deal late Friday night to buy controlling interest of the Charlotte Bobcats, putting the six-time NBA champion in charge of the money-losing team in his home state. - Yahoo! Sports
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