Chris Webber was having second thoughts about returning to the
Sacramento Kings, his agent said Tuesday just hours before the
NBA's 2 ½-week moratorium on free agent signings was originally set to expire.
However, a post-midnight development delayed Wednesday's expected
flurry of finalized trades and free agent signings as the NBA and the
union broke off talks over details of the new salary cap.
It remains unclear what will happen now.
Webber was widely expected to sign a seven-year deal with the
Kings, but his newly rehired agent, Fallasha Erwin, said Webber
changed his mind Tuesday.
"He's having second thoughts. He's going back and forth and
he's not sure what he wants to do," Erwin said.
If Webber decides he does not want to return to the Kings, his
options would be limited. The Detroit Pistons, who met with Webber
two weeks ago and have more than $13 million in salary cap space,
can offer him a six-year contract worth $95.7 million.
The Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Clippers can offer Webber
similar deals, but neither team is considered a viable option.
The Indiana Pacers are eager to work out a sign-and-trade deal
with the Kings, but they could only do so if Webber forced the
Kings' hand by telling them he will sign with the Pistons unless he
is traded to the team of his choosing.
"I think he's interested in us, but it's a long shot because
this is a hard thing to pull off," Pacers president Donnie Walsh
said. "It's all up to Chris and the Kings. The bottom line is I
don't know, but I can afford to wait."
Pistons president Joe Dumars and Sacramento general manager
Geoff Petrie did not return phone calls.
The New York Knicks and Orlando Magic had been interested in
acquiring Webber through a sign-and-trade, but both teams opted to
pursue other free agents rather than wait for Webber to make up his
mind.
Webber, who has said little publicly since becoming a free agent
July 1, was not available for comment, Erwin said.
If the salary cap is set at $42.5 million next season, Webber
will be eligible to receive a starting salary equaling 30 percent
of the cap, or about $12.75 million.
With 12.5 percent annual raises, his contract with the Kings
would be worth $123 million over seven years -- making it the
second-largest contract in NBA history in terms of total dollars,
ranking only behind the six-year, $126 million extension signed by
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett in 1998.
Most prominent free agents reached agreements on new contracts
during the moratorium, and several of those deals are expected to
be officially announced later this week.
Among them:
Dikembe Mutombo and Aaron McKie will re-sign with the
Philadelphia 76ers, who will almost certainly be looking for a new
backup center. Todd MacCulloch has signed a $35 million, six-year
offer sheet from the New Jersey Nets that the 76ers will have 15
days to match, if they so choose.
Antonio Davis, who was courted by the Orlando Magic and
Chicago Bulls, will re-sign with Toronto for $55 million over five
years. The Raptors also will re-sign forward Jerome Williams and
are trying to re-sign point guard Alvin Williams.
Michael Finley will re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks and is
expected to receive a seven-year deal for the maximum he is
eligible to receive under the collective bargaining agreement --
about $102 million.
Allan Houston will re-sign with the New York Knicks, also
receiving a maximum contract worth $102 million. New York also has
reached agreement with Cleveland free-agent forward Clarence
Weatherspoon on a $27.5 million, five-year contract.
Nazr Mohammed, one of the few centers available on the free
agent market, will re-sign with the Atlanta Hawks after being
courted by several teams.
Eddie Robinson will leave the Charlotte Hornets to sign with
the Chicago Bulls for $30 million over five years.
Barring a last-minute offer from the Lakers, Horace Grant was
set to leave the two-time defending champions to return to the
Orlando Magic. Patrick Ewing, who spent last season with Seattle,
also is expected to sign with the Magic.
Tyronn Lue, who did an admirable job of defending Allen
Iverson during the NBA Finals, will leave the Lakers to sign a
multiyear contract with the Washington Wizards.
Anthony Mason, Tim Hardaway and Dan Majerle might not be back
with the Miami Heat. Mason's agent, Don Cronson, said his client
hoped to be sent elsewhere in a sign-and-trade deal. Hardaway's
starting point guard job has been all but given to Anthony Carter,
who re-signed for three years and $12 million. Majerle has said he
would prefer to play for Phoenix next season.
Pistons free agents Corliss Williamson and Joe Smith were
caught up in the waiting for Webber. Detroit does not want to make
an official offer to either player until learning what Webber
intends to do.
San Antonio has agreed with center David Robinson on a new
contract, but the Spurs have not yet come to terms with shooting
guard Derek Anderson. Point guard Avery Johnson is reportedly
mulling a three-year, $14 million offer from the Denver Nuggets.
Christian Laettner and Popeye Jones have reportedly agreed to
re-sign with the Washington Wizards.
Hakeem Olajuwon told the Houston Chronicle that he has not yet
decided whether to return to the Rockets. Because Olajuwon occupies
$24.5 million of cap space, the Rockets cannot sign other free
agents until the veteran center is renounced or signed to a smaller
contract.
John Amaechi of Orlando was mulling offers from the Lakers,
Jazz, Bulls and Heat.
Heat forward Bruce Bowen was considering offers from the
Spurs, Mavericks and Celtics.
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