Basketball Trade Rumors

Sam Cassell Being Sam Cassell in LA

Allan Houston to be given every chance this season

Michael Finley: where will he go?

Doug Christie and DeSagana Diop: The Newst Mav’s

And More Point guard Sam Cassell plans to discuss his contract situation with the Clippers before joining the team that acquired him from the Minnesota Timberwolves last week, his agent said Thursday. Charles Tucker declined to reveal most of the issues they want resolved before Cassell reports to Los Angeles next week, but a contract extension tops their agenda.

– Los Angeles Times

New Knicks coach Larry Brown is willing to give Allan Houston every chance to prove he can be a factor this season. “I’ve talked to him and he tells me he’s going to be all right,” Brown said yesterday.

– New York Post

A judge is considering throwing out a lawsuit against LeBron James, based on an Ohio law that mandates that agent contracts with high school athletes be in writing. Joseph Marsh contends he reached an oral contract with James and his family to produce a do*****entary film while James was at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. Marsh filed a $15 million lawsuit for lost profits.

– Akron Journal Beacon

The Pistons are among the few teams still hoping to land Michael Finley. They also are talking to guard Latrell Sprewell. The Heat, Pistons, Suns, Spurs and Nuggets are on the short list for Finley, the hottest free agent in the market.

– Detroit News

The Cavaliers are waiting on Michael Finley. No, they’re not one of the teams bidding for Finley’s services. The Cavaliers are still waiting on an answer from free-agent point guard Damon Jones. Jones, in turn, is waiting to see if the Heat win the Finley derby. If they do, it’s likely Jones won’t be going back to Miami, which seems to be his preference. If Finley goes elsewhere, there’s a good chance that the Heat might turn their attention back to Jones.

– Akron Beacon Journal

Heat center Alonzo Mourning is back, and he’d like former Dallas guard Michael Finley to join him and the retooled Miami squad for a run at the NBA title.

– Palm Beach Post

A week that started off with the Michael Finley bummer will end happily when the Mavericks sign free agents Doug Christie and DeSagana Diop.

– Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Derek Anderson, a free agent who wanted and expected to be sent to the Rockets in a February trade with Portland, visited with coach Jeff Van Gundy and other club officials Thursday as the Rockets sought the versatile guard for their last roster spot.

– Houston Chronicle

While the Lakers have stepped in and interrupted their pursuit of free agent Aaron McKie, the Nets appear to be just days away from adding Robert “Tractor” Traylor to their roster.

– New York Post

Milwaukee Bucks backcourt was put in place Thursday as the team signed 26-year-old free agent guard Charlie Bell to a two-year contract.

– Milwaukee Journal Sentinel