DAUGHERTY CAREER OVER: Cleveland Cavaliers center Brad Daugherty confirmed what had long been expected: His NBA career is over.
Daugherty, 30, has not played since February 1994 because of a bad back. He had surgery later that year to remove two herniated discs in his spine that pressed against his nerves, but did not recover enough to return.Daugherty, Cleveland's career leader in points (10,389) and rebounds (5,227), was a five-time All-Star.
Daugherty's guaranteed contract of an estimated $21 million over the next four years will be paid by the league's insurance, meaning it will no longer count against the NBA salary cap.
Daugherty, a former North Carolina star, was drafted by the Cavs in the first round in 1986.
SONICS SIGN McILVAINE: Jim McIlvaine, a 7-foot-1 free agent who was a backup with the Washington Bullets last season, signed a seven-year, $35 million contract with the Seattle SuperSonics.
McIlvaine, 24, who replaces Ervin Johnson at center, averaged nearly as many blocks (2.08) as points (2.3) last season. He was the Bullets' second-round draft choice in 1994 from Marquette.
WARRIORS INK SPREWELL: The Golden State Warriors re-signed free agent guard Latrell Sprewell to a multi-year contract, reportedly a four-year deal worth $30 million.
Sprewell, entering his fifth season with the Warriors, was the team's top scorer for the third straight season in 1995-96, averaging 18.9 points.
Sprewell, the 24th overall pick in the 1992 NBA draft, became the first Warriors rookie to total 1,000 points, 250 rebounds, 250 assists, 100 steals and 50 blocks.
STITH STAYING: Denver captain Bryant Stith re-signed with the Nuggets, spurning more lucrative offers from Miami and Atlanta for a reported $22 million over five years.
Stith, a 6-foot-5 shooting guard, had career-best averages in scoring (13.6), rebounding (4.9) and assists (2.9) last season, and was the only Denver player to appear in all 82 games. He has missed only one game the last three seasons.
GRIZZLIES SIGN MAYBERRY: The Vancouver Grizzlies signed free agent point guard Lee Mayberry to a four-year, $5.7 million deal and waived veteran guard Byron Scott.
Mayberry averaged 5.1 points and 3.7 assists in 82 games for Milwaukee last season. Scott, 35, averaged 10.2 points last season.