Coveted free agent Michael Redd agreed Thursday to re-sign with the Milwaukee Bucks, choosing to stay with the only NBA team he's played for over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
"He's going to get a max deal in Milwaukee for $90-96 million, depending on what the cap is, over six years," Redd's agent, Kevin Poston, told The Associated Press Thursday afternoon. "Michael started his career in Milwaukee and hopes to end it there, too.
"It was a tough decision between the Bucks and the Cavaliers, but Michael's heart is in Milwaukee and he's excited about his future there."
Redd, who was the top remaining free agent available, met with James and Cavs officials in Cleveland on Wednesday, a day after meeting with the Bucks.
The 6-foot-6 shooting guard averaged a career-high 23 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season. He has averaged 17.7 points while making 39.4 percent of his 3-point shots since Milwaukee drafted him in second round, with the 43rd overall pick, in the 2000 NBA draft.
Poston said Redd, who turns 26 in August, is excited about playing with former Utah center Andrew Bogut, the No. 1 pick overall in last month's draft, and for the Bucks' next coach.
"Michael and Andrew have spoken at great length, and are really looking forward to starting something special in Milwaukee," said Poston. "We also know who the Bucks are focused in on to be their next coach, and Michael is very comfortable with him."
GUN ARREST: Dallas Mavericks free agent Alan Henderson was arrested and charged with carrying a gun in his luggage while trying to board a flight over the weekend.
The 32-year-old Henderson was released without bail Sunday, a day after his arrest at John F. Kennedy International Airport, a spokesman for the Queens County Criminal Court said.
Henderson had a loaded 9 mm pistol stored in a metal lock box inside his suitcase, said Patrick Clark, a spokesman for the Queens District Attorney's office. Clark said Henderson was stopped by airport officials when he acknowledged he didn't have a valid New York permit or a license for the weapon.
Henderson is charged with second- and third-degree counts of criminal possession of a weapon. His court date is set for Aug. 25. If convicted, Henderson could face 15 years in prison.
A message seeking comment was left Thursday for Henderson's agent, Bill Strickland.
Henderson, a 6-foot-9 forward, was a first-round pick by Atlanta in 1995 and has played 10 NBA seasons. He is an unrestricted free agent after averaging 3.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a game for Dallas last season.
WARRIORS SIGN PICK: First-round draft pick Ike Diogu signed a contract Thursday with the Golden State Warriors.
Diogu, the ninth pick in last week's NBA draft, was the Pac-10 Player of the Year last season as a junior at Arizona State. He finished the season tied for fifth in the country in scoring at 22.6 points per game.
The 6-foot-8 forward led the Pac-10 in scoring; rebounding at 9.8 per game, and averaged 2.34 blocked shots. He also led the conference in scoring as a sophomore, making him the first to do so in consecutive years since Oregon's Stan Love from 1969-71.
CLIPPERS TO BUILD FACILITY: The Clippers have made significant strides in recent years to shed a reputation as one of the least successful franchises in professional sports.
They took another Thursday, announcing they have purchased two acres of prime land where they plan to build a state-of-the-art practice facility.
"This is a great day for the Clippers," executive vice president Andy Roeser said at a news conference. "We couldn't be happier to have found this site. We will open on Sept. 1, 2006."
Roeser said the $20 million project located 17 miles from the Staples Center and four miles from Los Angeles International Airport has been in the works for some time.