LATES RUMORS/FACTS(UPDATED 1/22/2007): by Ben Maller
1.JASON KIDD TO LAKERS?
There are exceptions. If Jason Kidd were to somehow become available or, to a lesser degree, Andre Miller, there would be quite a few interested teams. I'm sure the Lakers would lob a phone call or two as well. Both of those players have two more seasons left on their contracts, Kidd for a total of $41 million, Miller for a more manageable $19 million.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE2.PAUL GASSOL TO BULLS? GASSOL WANTS OUT OF MEMPHIS!
Grizzlies center Pau Gasol won't say as much but his actions and agent have delivered the message. The 7-footer wants out of Memphis. Pronto. Given Gasol's play and the feelers his agent, Arn Tellem, have lobbed around the NBA recently, the Grizzlies are suddenly forced to consider their future without someone they've deemed the franchise player. Gasol, who has four years and more than $60 million left on a maximum contract, is one of the few skilled post players in the league. Still, a Gasol deal with the Bulls could be consummated if they were willing to part with guard Ben Gordon and forward Luol Deng.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE3.KEVIN GARNETT TO KNICKS?
It's not likely Kevin Garnett will be moved this season, though it is possible he might ask for a trade - at 30 years old, he has said he is not interested in another rebuilding project - if the Timberwolves fail to make the playoffs for a third straight year. Could the Knicks make a play for Garnett, the highest-paid player in the NBA at $21 million? Only if they can convince Minnesota to take on Steve Francis' big contract as a starting point. The Knicks would almost have to include a few of their young players. It might include Channing Frye to start and Nate Robinson, a favorite of Minnesota coach Dwane Casey, as well.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE4.SORIANO TO PHILLIES?
The Phillies quest to sign Alfonso Soriano is heating up. GM Pat Gillick confirmed that team officials would meet with the leftfielder's representatives today. A meeting between the sides that had been scheduled for yesterday had to be pushed back because of scheduling conflicts. Gillick confirmed that the team had not yet made an offer to Soriano, who also is drawing interest from the Dodgers, Angels, Cubs and Astros. Soriano is seeking a contract similar to the seven-year, $119 million deal that Carlos Beltran got from the Mets two winters ago. "We like him," Gillick said. "We're studying the situation." The Phillies definitely will talk money in their talks with Soriano's agents, but it's unclear whether an offer will come out of today's meeting. Word around baseball is that the Angels are ready to meet Soriano's price. However, people close to Soriano have said he wants to stay on the East Coast.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE5.ARE PETTITE AND CLEMENS GOING BACK TO THE YANKEES?
Two old New York friends filed for free agency yesterday and though neither Roger Clemens nor Andy Pettitte has decided whether to play next season, the Yankees intend to inquire about both, according to a team source. The Yankees have talked internally about pursuing Pettitte, who left the Bronx after the 2003 season to sign with his hometown team, the Astros. And Pettitte apparently has told confidants that he would consider a return to New York, if he does continue to play. But nothing has been decided according to agent Randy Hendricks, who along with his bother, Alan, represents both players. "We will listen to anyone who calls," Hendricks said in an E-mail yesterday. "Neither player has decided whether he will play next year."
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE6.IS DAUNTE CULPEPPER DONE?
Dolphins QB Daunte Culpepper will not play against Kansas City on Sunday, missing his fifth consecutive game. As he has done the past two weeks, he also has not been involved in practices. Despite the news, Saban believes Culpepper had a good week compared to the previous two. ''No, he's been doing good,'' Saban said when asked if Culpepper had missed any of his scheduled rehabilitation work for his right knee. ``He's done well this week. He had a good week so far.'' Culpepper has declined all requests for comments the past four weeks.
7.SAMMY SOSA IS BACK?
Reports say that Sosa's Agent talked to Dominican Reporters and said Sammy Sosa would love to be back next season and reach 600 Hrs. Since the report, manny teams have phoned asking for Sosa including the Mets and the Padres in hopes of landing the potential free agent slugger as a backup outfielder.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE 8.PHIL'S BURELL TO GIANTS?
Since GM Pat Gillick was hired a year ago, the Phillies' general manager has been trying to trade leftfielder Pat Burrell. The main obstacle: Burrell's full no-trade clause. To this point, Burrell has indicated that he would waive the clause only in deals that would send him to New York or Boston. The Phillies can add San Francisco to that list. Burrell's representatives indicated yesterday that he would accept a trade to the Giants. That team could ask Burrell to switch back to first base, the position he played in 2000. ... In trade, the Giants might want the Phillies, who are looking for bullpen help, to take closer Armando Benitez, who comes with plenty of baggage: a $7.6 million salary for this season, the last on his contract; his bad knees, which limited him to 41 games this season; and a poor reputation as a teammate.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE 9.MLB-WHERE WILL THE YANKEES TRADE SHEFFIELD AND FOR WHO?(10/27/2006):
New York Yankees slugger Gary Sheffield, informed Wednesday that the Yankees will pick up his $13 million option in 2007, was angry by the decision, hoping instead the Yankees would let him go. ""This will not work, this will not work at all," Sheffield told USA TODAY. "I don't want to play first base a year for them. I will not do that." Where is he going to be traded by Boras?
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE10.NBA-CHAUNCE BILLUPS IN A DENVER NUGGER UNIFORM?(10/24/2006)
After the game, Pistons guard Chauncey Billups, a Denver native, visited the Nuggets locker room. Will Billups, likely to opt out of his contract next summer, consider Denver? "I'm not talking about free agency," he said
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE11.MLB- WILL TOM GLAVINE RETURN TO BRAVES?(10/24/2006)
While there is a chance Tom Glavine could return to the Braves in 2007, the veteran pitcher probably would have to accept a significantly smaller salary than he'd get if he stays with the Mets. And that seems unlikely. Glavine, who has 290 wins and will turn 41 during spring training, told reporters Friday he would talk to his family about whether to stay with the Mets or return to the Braves, the only other team he says he'd pitch for.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE12.NFL-LB BRIGGS WAITING ON BEARS CONTRACT TALKS?(10/24/2006)
There are no secret negotiations going on between the Bears and LB Lance Briggs' agent, Drew Rosenhaus. Briggs says everything is on hold until the Bears complete their season. He scoffed at a two-line report in the Miami Herald last week that suggested he wants to play for the Dolphins but might not be coveted by that team because it is expected to put all of its resources into improving a wretched offensive line. Briggs knows that kind of speculation will increase as the season goes on. ''The more success we have, the more people are going to talk about: 'Who is going to stay? Who can we get, and what can we grab? Can we get a piece of this great defense?''' Briggs said.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL ARTICLE13.NBA- KNICK'S MARBURY TRYING TO BECOME A TV STAR?(10/24/2006)
Knicks guard Stephon Marbury is trying to sell his own TV talk show, according to the NEW YORK POST.Marbury has filmed a handful of demo shows, including a one-hour interview with Kobe Bryant. His reps have been shopping the show around.
"We just haven't taken anything," Marbury told The Post. "We've had offers. We're looking for the right deal."Marbury can be a tough interview when he's displeased with the tone of certain questions. But he feels he's a good interviewer, despite not taking any broadcast journalism courses in his one year at Georgia Tech
