Nick Anderson, the last original member of the Orlando Magic, appears headed to the Sacramento Kings, and Steve Smith and Detlef Schrempf have joined the Portland Trail Blazers.
The pace of player movement picked up Monday on the second day since the expiration of a one-month moratorium on NBA trades and free agent signings, with Portland and Phoenix getting big chunks of their retoolings accomplished.The Blazers signed Schrempf for $4.2 million over two years, beating out the Utah Jazz, and Portland also convinced Jermaine O'Neal to turn down what he said was a one-year, $9 million-$10 million offer elsewhere.
Charles Oakley was in Los Angeles to speak to the Lakers, even as the Toronto Raptors had an offer worth about $6 million annually on the table.
There was still no movement on the Penny Hardaway or Mitch Richmond trade fronts, while the other two big-ticket free agents -- Terrell Brandon and Vin Baker -- appeared almost certain to remain with their old teams.
Rodney Rogers agreed to terms with the Phoenix Suns, Michael Curry moved from Milwaukee to the Pistons, Jud Buechler opted to stay in Detroit, and Jelani McCoy re-signed with Seattle.
Sacramento, after scheduling a news conference to announce the re-signings of Jon Barry and Scot Pollard, suddenly called it off. General manager Geoff Petrie instead worked out a trade sending Tariq Abdul-Wahad to the Orlando Magic for Anderson. The deal was likely to be finalized today.
In the Trail Blazers-Hawks four-player deal, Rider and Jim Jackson were sent to Atlanta for Smith and Ed Gray.
A subsequent trade sending Jackson from Atlanta to the Los Angeles Clippers for free agent Lorenzen Wright was being discussed, but Hawks general manager Pete Babcock said the teams "were not even close."
"It would be nice to add depth to our frontcourt, depending on how heavy a price it would be on the rest of our roster," Babcock said. "We didn't make this trade with a plan to move one of these players on."
It was a particularly busy day for the Blazers, who increased their offer to the 20-year-old O'Neal. O'Neal got a four-year contract. Terms were not disclosed.
Rogers agreed to take the $2 million mid-level exception from the Suns, who have already re-signed Clifford Robinson and remain in the hunt for Hardaway. The contract is for three years, with the final season at the player's option.
Curry took the Pistons' five-year, $12 million offer over a four-year, $10 million offer from Milwaukee.
Buechler signed a one-year deal with a player option for a second year using the team's $1.1 million exception, said his agent, Mark Bartelstein.
Schrempf, insulted by Seattle's $1.1 million offer, decided to move to Portland for two years at $4.2 million. His final choices were Portland and Utah.
"He's saved all his money, he just wants to win a championship," said his agent, Tony Dutt.
Schrempf also drew interest from the San Antonio Spurs but told them he preferred to remain closer to his family in Seattle. The 36-year-old spent the past five season with the Sonics, who are courting Shandon Anderson and Cedric Ceballos as his replacement. Seattle also expressed interest in Rick Fox, but he is expected to return to the Lakers.
San Antonio reportedly was close to an agreement with Lamond Murray of the Clippers.
The Sonics also were waiting to hear from the Wizards regarding a possible trade for Richmond, who has reportedly been offered $30 million for three years to stay in Washington. Seattle would like to acquire him in a sign-and-trade deal involving Hersey Hawkins and another player, but the Sonics also could try to trade Hawkins to a third team to clear enough cap room to sign Richmond as a free agent.
Baker's agent was expected to meet with the Sonics on Monday night, and Brandon's agent was working with the Timberwolves to finalize a deal that would keep the point guard in Minnesota.
Dutt, who also represents Nick Van Exel, was meeting with Nuggets executives in Denver on Monday night.
"We're close in some areas, not so close in other areas," Dutt said. "Hopefully, if we each move in some areas, maybe we can finish this afternoon."
Oakley, meanwhile, was in Los Angeles to meet with the Lakers.
The Raptors have offered Oakley a three-year contract believed to be worth about $18 million, and the Hawks could still make a slightly smaller offer if they are unable to work out a deal with the Clippers for Wright.
Hardaway's future remained uncertain, with the Magic hoping to get a better offer from Phoenix in a sign-and-trade deal and the Lakers also trying to put together a package that would satisfy the Magic.
If the Suns or Lakers can't pull off a trade and Hardaway does not return to Orlando, his best option would be to sign with the Raptors or Clippers -- the only teams with enough salary cap room to give him a lucrative contract starting at $9.5 million annually.
The strangely silent Chicago Bulls also have loads of cap room, but Hardaway apparently does not want to play there.
In other NBA-related news:
-- Isiah Thomas has completed negotiations to buy the Continental Basketball Association for $10 million, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
-- Billy Hunter, union chief for NBA players, has been recommended for a six-year contract extension worth about $12 million, The Charlotte Observer reported.