LAKERS MAY TRY TO PICK UP A PENNY: Penny Hardaway met with Los Angeles Lakers executive Jerry West recently, fueling speculation the unrestricted free-agent guard might be reunited with former teammate Shaquille O'Neal.
The Los Angeles Times and Orlando Sentinel reported the Lakers have considered adding Hardaway, possibly in a sign-and-trade deal with the Orlando Magic.Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed Wednesday that West met with Hardaway last week, but he wouldn't comment on what was discussed or what the meeting was about.
The Lakers are over the salary cap, meaning the only way they could pay Hardaway anything close to market value would be to work out a sign-and-trade deal with the Magic.
One name mentioned as a possibility in that scenario is Glen Rice. The Lakers recently picked up their $7 million option on Rice for next season.
RICHMOND SHOPPING AROUND: With talks stalled between free agent Mitch Richmond and the Washington Wizards, Richmond's agent said Wednesday night he is listening to offers from as many as eight other teams.
Richmond and the Wizards remain millions of dollars apart on a contract. The 10-year veteran, acquired a year ago in a trade with Sacramento, was the team's leading scorer with a 19.7 average last season.
But that average was the lowest of Richmond's career. He is also 33 years old, and the Wizards acquired another shooting guard, Richard Hamilton, in last month's draft.
Sharpe said Phoenix, Seattle, Golden State, Miami, Indiana, Orlando, Sacramento and the Los Angeles Lakers have inquired about Richmond.
FRANCIS CONFIDENT GRIZZ CAN TURN IT AROUND: Steve Francis, the No. 2 pick in this year's NBA draft, is confident he can help the Vancouver Grizzlies turn around their fortunes.
"I'm not going to be the sole guy that can change it, but I definitely can help this team win more than eight games" out of 50, Francis said Wednesday. "I think I can bring some of my leadership to the table as far as knowing how to win."
Francis, a 6-foot-3 guard from the University of Maryland, made his comments while visiting Vancouver to talk about his contract. He was also in town to do a little fence-mending with fans.
When he was drafted, he seemed far from pleased to be picked by the Grizzlies. But his sour countenance at the draft didn't have anything to do with the city or the team, he said Wednesday.
SNOW, 76ERS AGREE: Guard Eric Snow has agreed to a multiyear contract with the Philadelphia 76ers worth about $3 million per year, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday.
Snow, who joined the Sixers in January 1998, was scheduled to visit with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday but canceled the visit "because we think we can get this done," said Steve Kauffman, Snow's agent.
Kauffman declined to confirm Wednesday the $3 million number reported by the Inquirer but did say that he and Sixers general manager Billy King have agreed in principle to a dollar amount and contract length.
"But until I review the proposed documents, I don't feel I can absolutely confirm that," Kauffman said.
SURGERY FOR DAVIS: Second-year guard Ricky Davis of the Charlotte Hornets had foot surgery Wednesday and will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, the team said.
The injury to Davis' right foot, a fracture of the fifth metatarsal, was discovered last week during the Atlanta Summer Shootout workouts.
Davis should recover in time for the opening of training camp in early October, according to Dr. Glenn Perry, the team's physician who performed the surgery.