MA MAKES CLIPPERS?: NBA history will likely be made today when forward Ma Jian is expected to survive the Los Angeles Clippers' final roster cut. Ma would be the first Chinese player to make an NBA roster.
With point guard Pooh Richardson being placed on the injured list, the Clippers are only required to make one move to get to 12 players. It is also expected that center Stanley Roberts will be placed on the injured list, opening a roster spot for Ma or forward Logan Vander Velden.MOURNING TRADE?: Alonzo Mourning hinted that he may have to leave the Charlotte Hornets because of their contract dispute.
In a prepared statement issued Wednesday night by the NBA club, Mourning said, "I want to play here but based on the unfortunate circumstances, I have to deal with anything that happens."
Earlier Wednesday, Mourning met privately with Hornets owner George Shinn for about 30 minutes. Shinn would not comment on their meeting, which kept his star center from attending a morning practice.
Mourning made the second workout of the day, a 90-minute session Wednesday night. He gave no reason for missing the earlier practice, a team spokesman said.
"At this point, I'm a member of the Charlotte Hornets and am concentrating on facing the Chicago Bulls Friday night," he said in his statement.
"I am not commenting on negotiations because I always put that in the hands of my agent," Mourning said. "My only responsibility is to get myself ready to play basketball this season."
But where he will play this year remains a mystery.
And it's apparent the stalemate is starting to take an emotional toll on his teammates and coaches.
When Mourning didn't show up for the Hornets' morning practice, coach Allan Bristow and point guard Muggsy Bogues lamented how the star's feud with management is becoming a distraction.
PRICE CONSIDERS SURGERY: Mark Price is considering foot surgery, which would sideline the Washington Bullets guard several months.
Price, obtained from the Cleveland in a preseason trade, has plantar fascitis - tissue inflammation along the bottom of the foot.
COLEMAN ON RESERVE: New Jersey Nets forward Derrick Coleman, who will start the season on injured reserve because of an irregular heartbeat, practiced on a limited basis for the second straight day.
SURGERY FOR SMITS: Indiana Pacers center Rik Smits underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone fragments and spurs from his left ankle. He is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks.
GRIZZLIES-MAGIC TRADE: The Vancouver Grizzlies acquired forward Anthony Avent from the Orlando Magic on Wednesday for guard Kevin Pritchard and forward Larry Stewart.
Avent, a first-round pick of the Atlanta Hawks in 1991 who spent two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, averaged 3.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in 71 games for the Magic last season.
TARPLEY'S WOES: Roy Tarpley's on-again, off-again career with the Dallas Mavericks has hit another bump, with the team Wednesday still trying to decide his status for the season's start.
The Mavericks forward has an inflamed pancreas and he will either be placed on the injured list or the suspended list, said president and general manager Norm Sonju.
With Tarpley not cleared to join the team because of his health, including him on the 12-man active roster appears out of the question.