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Saturday, August 1

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The New York Knicks claimed point guard Jason Williams off waivers Friday from the Los Angeles Clippers, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The Knicks have until Aug. 6 to negotiate a contract with the 10-year NBA veteran. Williams actually retired on Sept. 26, 2008, from the Los Angeles Clippers despite never playing in a game with the club after being signed as a free agent a month earlier. Yahoo! Sports

Sessions is in the second of those two categories. The former Wolf Pack point guard is still looking for a team. However, Sessions' agent, James "Chubby" Wells, said Friday that might change by the beginning of next week. "We're really trying to shoot for Monday and Tuesday," Wells said of finishing a deal. "We have been talking with a couple of teams and we're really trying to get some clarification and some finality. We're shooting for early next week." Reno Gazette-Journal

Wells said three teams remain heavily interested in Sessions -- the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Clippers and a mystery third team. He added that Sessions has remained calm through the process despite having an uncertain future and going through free agency for the first time in his career. "There's not any frustration. I think it's more anticipation," Well said. "Before the process we went through a lot of different scenarios. ... He understands there's a process that you have to go through, so he's holding up pretty well." Reno Gazette-Journal

Wells said if Sessions doesn't get the long-term offer he is hoping for, he might accept the qualifying offer worth about $1 million and try free agency next season (when he would be an unrestricted free agent). One thing Wells did rule out was Sessions going to Europe for a big payday. Reno Gazette-Journal

Bowen is contemplating retirement but could also have interest from Orlando, a source told Yahoo! Sports. Yahoo! Sports

Bowen, 38, joined the Spurs in the summer of 2001 and was part of three championship teams (2003, '05 and '07) in his eight seasons in San Antonio. It's believed that a return to the Spurs in free agency is highly unlikely but contenders such as Orlando, Cleveland and Boston have been mentioned as potential suitors for Bowen. ESPN.com

Bowen's full $4 million salary for next season would have been guaranteed if he was not released by Aug. 1. The Bucks will save half that amount by waiving Bowen and paying him the required $2 million buyout stipulated in Bowen's contract. ESPN.com

Bruce Bowen: Just got off the plane, got word that I will not be in Milwaukee for Christmas! Twitter.com

Rashad McCants: just wondering? do u guys think im kina crazy in some way? like a bad boy? its what I hear why teams wont sign me. its funny but i wana know. Twitter.com

Rashad McCants: Just finished lifting.. Feels good to be in great shape.. What free agent sg out there ever avg more then 10ppg? Twitter.com

Not at a stage where it is willing to move forward with a concrete offer, the Miami Heat has called off a scheduled weekend meeting with free-agent point guard Jamaal Tinsley. Heat President Pat Riley, who was to meet with the former Indiana Pacers starter, made the announcement through a team spokesman Friday. A 6-foot-3 playmaker, Tinsley, 31, was asked to remain away from the Pacers, with full pay, last season after a series of off-court incidents. Those incidents could leave him playing for the veteran's minimum of about $1 million this coming season. He earned $6.8 million last season, with a buyout from the Pacers of about $10 million. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Celtics placed guard Gabe Pruitt on waivers yesterday after not picking up the option year on his contract. Pruitt was projected as a backup for point guard Rajon Rondo last season, but he was relegated to a bit role after the addition of Stephon Marbury in February and averaged just 7.8 minutes in his 47 games. “We like Gabe but he was not going to get a chance to play much with Marquis [Daniels] coming in,’’ Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge said last night. “He has a bright future and this will give him a chance to play elsewhere.’’ Boston Globe

“Several teams have expressed interest and we will see what happens in the next few days,’’ said Sam Goldfeder, Pruitt’s agent. “It’s all part of the business. It comes down to getting an opportunity and, hopefully, Gabe will end up getting a chance to play. Boston Globe

Virtus Roma is thinking to bring to Italy Maurice Ager. There are talks with the guard/small forward born in 1984 who has played 78 games in NBA during his career averaging 2ppg (last year Ager played 20 games with Nets scoring 1.7ppg). Sportando.net

Now that Odom has been re-signed, Kupchak said he and his staff will now ``turn to the future, beyond this season.'' He wouldn't specify whether that meant he'd open talks with Kobe Bryant's agent Rob Pelinka on a contract extension, but all indications are that discussions about that very issue will begin immediately. Earlier this summer, Bryant said he was content to let the organization take care of unrestricted free agents Trevor Ariza, Shannon Brown and Odom before beginning extension talks with him. ``Mitch has a lot on his plate,'' Bryant said during an interview in early July. ``I'd rather him take care of those pieces first. But he'll get around to me.'' Los Angeles Daily News

In an emotional, candid and introspective radio interview Friday, Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom revealed that he, indeed, stood on the verge of returning to South Florida as a free agent this week and insisted that he never attempted to use the Miami Heat as leverage. "I was really close," Odom told ESPN-760 host Evan Cohen. "I weighed and I balanced every option. I did it 50 times, 60 times" South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"It was a tough decision," he told the West Palm Beach station. "It was hard. Pat, Micky and Dwyane, I love those guys. Micky is an incredible owner. Of course, D-Wade is my friend. Pat? I don't know what Pat is to me; he's a little bit more special to me than just a coach. I look up to him tremendously. "It was hard." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

"I understand how negotiations work. But because Pat and Micky were so good to me, I wouldn't have done that. It's just something that my loyalty runs too deep. Those guys took care of me and they showed me a lot and that's just something I wouldn't do. Those guys were great to me and that's something we let each other know wasn't happening really early." That, Odom said, made it difficult for him to inform Riley and Wade of his Thursday decision. "It was tough," he said. "I sent them a text and let them know how appreciative I was, and I'll probably get to speak to them face to face when I get down to Miami at the end of the month and I get set in my home and just relax and take some time out and reflect." South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Odom said that he had to personally lobby Buss to revisit contract talks and worried, for the first time, that he might not return to the Lakers. Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak described the tense two-week period after the Lakers withdrew their offers to Odom as, ``at its best case, a time out. ``We had an offer on the table and we took it off,'' Kupchak said. ``Sometimes you revisit those things, and sometimes you don't. Early on there was not an indication that we would revisit it.'' Los Angeles Daily News

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Hakim Warrick had a number of willing suitors, but the unrestricted free agent decided to take a chance on the Milwaukee Bucks. The athletic 6-foot-9 forward agreed to a one-year deal with the Bucks on Friday, team officials confirmed. "We're looking forward to adding a quality-caliber player such as Hakim," Bucks general manager John Hammond said of the former Memphis Grizzlies player. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Several other teams pursued Warrick, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers and Charlotte Bobcats. The Cavaliers were interested in adding him to a star-studded lineup that features LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal and former Bucks guard Mo Williams. The Warrick signing was the biggest in a flurry of moves made by the Bucks on Friday, as they also traded veteran forward Malik Allen to the Denver Nuggets and released veteran guard-forward Bruce Bowen and guard Salim Stoudamire. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

You played with Shaq in Miami and with LeBron on a pair of U.S. Olympic teams. How do you think they will work out as teammates in Cleveland? Dwyane Wade: “They're going to have a great regular season, no matter what. It's all about the postseason for them. It's about getting to June. They were a strong team already, and adding Shaq and his experience will only help. We'll have to see what happens six, seven, eight months from now.” Omaha World-Herald

In a one-on-one tournament with you, Kobe and LeBron, who wins? Dwyane Wade: “Me! What kind of question is that (laughing)? I'm going to win, man. No, but seriously, a one-on-one with us, that would be unfair to each guy. That's the best way you can put it.” Omaha World-Herald

During his press conference, Barnes was asked whether he's spoken with Stan Van Gundy and been told whether he'll be in the starting lineup or come off the bench. This was Barnes' response: "Briefly. He said he has his four starters in Jameer, Vince, Rashard and Dwight. Me and Pietrus will battle it out to kind of see who that other starter is." Orlando Sentinel

How do you feel about the Suns’ offseason, especially the Shaq trade? Jared Dudley: As a teammate, I loved to have Shaq around. He’s one of the funniest guys I’ve ever been around and a great teammate. Court-wise, I think we’re going in the right direction, trying to go back to the old Suns’ style of run-and-gun. So I think making the transition to that will make us a better team on the court. HoopsHype.com

You’re one of the most active Twitter users among NBA players. How did you get into it? Jared Dudley: It was Shaq. He told us to get into it. Jason Richardson got into it. And one day, I said, “Let me try this thing out.” You know, now all my friends are out there hanging out. I talk to Mark Cuban every day on it… It’s just a cool website for fans to get involved in players’ lives. What I try to do is give the fans insight on what they really can’t see. Once the season starts, I’m gonna give them insight on training camp, what’s going on in the locker room, the team bus, hotels and everything. HoopsHype.com

You’ve even broken news about players like Steve Nash or Matt Barnes. Has the team told you anything about it, that maybe you shouldn’t be talking about stuff like that? Jared Dudley: I haven’t had a problem. Everything I’ve said is the truth. I have not put anything out there that’s false or make stuff up. Everything I’ve said, I’ve talked about it with the source. I have credibility. As long as you’re not talking about anything negative… But talking about Steve Nash getting an extension isn’t really bad, so I’m going to continue doing it. For example, next week in Vegas I’m going to talk about the workouts. I’m going to say who’s playing well, how the games are going… Just trying to get more a little more insight for the fans. HoopsHype.com

Jorge Sierra: Jermaine O'Neal not doing interviews this offseason, his agency says. He has started tweeting, though. HoopsHype.com

Sean May: About to go swim! People don't realize swiming works every muscle in the body! You get a hell of a work out! Twitter.com

Protecting their six-year, $66 million investment in Tony Parker, the Spurs on Friday summoned their point guard back to San Antonio so their medical staff can examine injuries Parker suffered a week ago in France. Parker has been training with and competing forLes Bleus, the French national team, as they prepare for a six-team tournament that will determine the final qualifier for the European championships. The Eurobasket tournament is in Poland in September. Parker collided with an Austrian player in a game in Strasbourg, France, on July 23, leaving the court on crutches after injuring both his right thigh and ankle. An MRI exam showed no ligament damage, but the Spurs this week requested Parker's return so they could perform their own tests. San Antonio Express-News

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford, responding by text message to a question about the need for Parker to return to San Antonio, said the Spurs were “being cautious” with the three-time NBA All-Star, who led the Spurs in scoring in both the regular season (22.0 points per game) and playoffs (28.6). Pointing out that the French team does not play again until Wednesday, when it takes on Italy as part of the Eurobasket play-in tournament, Buford said the tests, scheduled for today, will let the Spurs “know what we're dealing with.” San Antonio Express-News

“Honestly, I don't understand this decision, because of all the tests done with the French doctors and the Spurs,” Parker was quoted in the release. “I regret what is going on. “I am obligated to follow what my (NBA) club wants me to do, but I hope to come back (to France) as soon as possible to participate in the qualification with the French national team.” San Antonio Express-News

Tyler Hansbrough is being put on the shelf for the rest of the summer, a move the Indiana Pacers hope allows their first-round draft pick to be healthy for his rookie season. Hansbrough has a lingering right shin injury from college and needs to rest it six to eight weeks, the Pacers said Friday. Indianapolis Star

Kahn has said that he plans to have his prospective coach sit down with Taylor before making any hire, but Taylor said that meeting has yet to take place. He and Kahn also said there is nothing to reports that the Wolves' coaching decision is a possible factor in Rubio's decision of whether to play in the NBA this season, denying that the Spanish point guard has expressed his preference to the team. "That is absolutely false," Kahn said. "That hasn't been part of it," Taylor added. "As far as Ricky, his comments (to us) have been that he wants to come here. He has no conditions. He would just like to get his buyout resolved so he can afford to come here. You know, he wants to play. He just wants to play." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Spanish newspapers have been filled with reports that Rubio could be close to signing with Real Madrid or Regal FC Barcelona, but Taylor said they haven't been disconcerting. "I'm taking them all with a little grain of salt in the sense that I know we're talking to the Rubio family directly," he said. "I know they're concerned. I know they would like to get some answer to this, too." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Ricky Rubio and FC Barcelona have had a deal in place for three weeks. Zona131.com

Ricky Rubio has rejected Real Madrid's offer because he wants to keep living in El Masnou. El Mundo Deportivo

Mark Jackson long has been considered the favorite for the job, but Taylor insisted that the Wolves are still considering three finalists and haven't settled on a first choice. "No decision has been made that one candidate is better than the other two or anything like that," he said. "As far as I know, we are still looking at those three people." St. Paul Pioneer Press

Former University of Virginia coach Dave Leitao is a leading candidate to take over Rio Grande Valley of the NBA’s Developmental League, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. Leitao will meet with Houston Rockets front-office officials on Monday to further discuss the coaching vacancy with the franchise’s minor league affiliate in Texas. Houston general manager Daryl Morey recently had a lengthy phone conversation with Leitao about his potential interest in the coaching job, one source said. Yahoo! Sports

Former Milwaukee Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak is the favorite to return to the Idaho Stampede as head coach, league sources said. Krystkowiak reached the Continental Basketball Association’s championship series as Idaho’s coach in 2004 before leaving for a successful run at the University of Montana. He coached the Bucks for parts of two seasons, losing his job in 2008 with a 31-69 (.310) record. Yahoo! Sports

Amar'e Stoudemire: "I'm very thankful 2 be named Goodwill Ambassador.I hope 2 do much more work in Sierra Leone, as well as other parts of the world." Twitter.com

Mark Madsen: back in MPLS figuring out what to do with my house now that I've been traded to the Clips! Twitter.com

A couple of Playboy bunnies were there hopping around, blonde cutie Tiffany Selby (Miss July 2007) and lovely Japanese-born Hiromi Oshima (Miss June 2004). Tiffany told me she was into extreme sports, and Hiromi said, “I grew up with the Tokyo Giants, and now I’m a huge Dodgers fan.” So she was happy to see the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp at the party. Others from the sports world were NBA twins Jarron Collins (with the Utah Jazz) and Jason Collins (Minnesota Timberwolves), Tyson Chandler (Hornets), Chad Ochocinco (Bengals), Andre Igudala (76ers), Chester Pitts (Texans), Danny Granger (Pacers), and NFL legend Warren Moon. Entertainment Today

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