Monson: It’s easier for the Jazz to blow cash than to get their money’s worth

One thing I thought I’d never see out of the Jazz is this: They could wind up with the highest — or near the highest — payroll in the NBA .

Jackson says he’ll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team’s Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he’s confident he can handle another long season. “All things point to go!” he says.

Pistons GM not committed to making quick hire
Pistons president Joe Dumars has Avery Johnson on his radar, but a published report indicates it’s no sure bet the former Mavericks coach will end up in Detroit.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Utah Jazz salaries: Paying a pretty penny

Still needing to add at least two players to their roster ? perhaps Paul Millsap and another point guard ? here’s how much the Jazz will pay to the 11 players who, barring trades, are set to be on their team in 2009-10: Player Salary Andrei $16Kirilenko,442,000 Deron $14Williams,325,000* Carlos $12Boozer,657,233 Mehmet $9Okur,000,000 Matt …

Pistons GM not committed to making quick hire
Pistons president Joe Dumars has Avery Johnson on his radar, but a published report indicates it’s no sure bet the former Mavericks coach will end up in Detroit.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Utah Jazz: Maynor’s father comes full circle

Eric Maynor answers questions at a press conference. Maynor will start his NBA career playing for the same coach who cut his father years ago, a twist of fate still difficult to believe in the draft’s aftermath.

Jackson says he’ll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team’s Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he’s confident he can handle another long season. “All things point to go!” he says.

Millsap’s potential suitor list smaller

All was quiet Thursday on the Paul Millsap front, with Millsap’s camp seemingly hunkered down for the long haul and the Jazz banned by NBA rule from discussing their free-agency plans until early next week.

Lakers hero Ariza had meteoric rise
Trevor Ariza is a Laker playoff hero, which, paradoxically, is why he’s apparently about to become an ex-Laker, Kevin Hench says.

Jackson says he’ll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team’s Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he’s confident he can handle another long season. “All things point to go!” he says.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

Monson: It’s easier for the Jazz to blow cash than to get their money’s worth

One thing I thought I’d never see out of the Jazz is this: They could wind up with the highest — or near the highest — payroll in the NBA .

Jackson says he’ll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team’s Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he’s confident he can handle another long season. “All things point to go!” he says.

Lakers hero Ariza had meteoric rise
Trevor Ariza is a Laker playoff hero, which, paradoxically, is why he’s apparently about to become an ex-Laker, Kevin Hench says.

Andre Ingram to Play for Utah Jazz in Summer League

American University men’s basketball alumnus Andre Ingram, ‘07, has been invited to play for the Utah Jazz in the 2009 Orlando Pro Summer League.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Utah Jazz: Maynor’s father comes full circle

Eric Maynor answers questions at a press conference. Maynor will start his NBA career playing for the same coach who cut his father years ago, a twist of fate still difficult to believe in the draft’s aftermath.

Millsap’s potential suitor list smaller

All was quiet Thursday on the Paul Millsap front, with Millsap’s camp seemingly hunkered down for the long haul and the Jazz banned by NBA rule from discussing their free-agency plans until early next week.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Report: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers
Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails. The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

Monson: It’s easier for the Jazz to blow cash than to get their money’s worth

One thing I thought I’d never see out of the Jazz is this: They could wind up with the highest — or near the highest — payroll in the NBA .

Updated odds to win 2010 championship following Draft, trades (Yahoo! Sports)
Bodog's odds to win the 2009-10 NBA Championship have been reassessed and posted following last week's…

Report: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers
Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails. The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Jazz Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

As much stability as they have enjoyed with John Stockton and Deron Williams at point guard over the years, the Jazz have struggled when it comes to finding capable backup ballhandlers.

Howard Eisley and Shandon Anderson are the two most regularly cited success stories. The last two seasons, the Jazz have searched for consistency between Jason Hart, Brevin Knight and Ronnie Price.

But the Jazz hope they found their backup point guard of the future in Virginia Commonwealth’s Eric Maynor. The Jazz selected Maynor with the 20th pick in the June 25 draft, amid a run of five consecutive point guards chosen.

Maynor pulled out of a scheduled workout with the Jazz with back spasms, but visited them for an interview on the eve of the draft.

That was more than could…

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lakers’ Gasol to play for Spain at Euro Championship
Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol will play for Spain in September in the European Basketball Championship. Gasol said Friday that it was an easy decision after winning the NBA finals. “The season went really well for me and now I want to defend our country,” Gasol said. “We’re really hopeful about the team we have, but we can’t go there with a mentality that we’ll be playing the final just because we’re really good.

House stays in Boston

The Celtics‘ first move of the 2009 free agent season couldn’t have been more effortless.

Pistons fire coach Curry after one year

DETROIT - All or nothing seems to be the formula for coaching the Detroit Pistons.

Andre Ingram to Play for Utah Jazz in Summer League

American University men’s basketball alumnus Andre Ingram, ‘07, has been invited to play for the Utah Jazz in the 2009 Orlando Pro Summer League.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Jackson says he’ll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team’s Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he’s confident he can handle another long season. “All things point to go!” he says.

Yao will wait week before surgery decision
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot. The future of 7-foot-6 (226-centimeter) Yao are in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out of all of next season, and potentially end his career. “It hasn’t been decided yet,” Yao’s agent, Eric Zhang, told The Associated Press on Friday.

Report: Celtics meet with Wallace, offer deal
Rasheed Wallace may be joining Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen in Boston.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Updated odds to win 2010 championship following Draft, trades (Yahoo! Sports)
Bodog's odds to win the 2009-10 NBA Championship have been reassessed and posted following last week's…

Jazz Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

As much stability as they have enjoyed with John Stockton and Deron Williams at point guard over the years, the Jazz have struggled when it comes to finding capable backup ballhandlers.

Howard Eisley and Shandon Anderson are the two most regularly cited success stories. The last two seasons, the Jazz have searched for consistency between Jason Hart, Brevin Knight and Ronnie Price.

But the Jazz hope they found their backup point guard of the future in Virginia Commonwealth’s Eric Maynor. The Jazz selected Maynor with the 20th pick in the June 25 draft, amid a run of five consecutive point guards chosen.

Maynor pulled out of a scheduled workout with the Jazz with back spasms, but visited them for an interview on the eve of the draft.

That was more than could…

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Lakers hero Ariza had meteoric rise
Trevor Ariza is a Laker playoff hero, which, paradoxically, is why he’s apparently about to become an ex-Laker, Kevin Hench says.

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal
A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas. The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Andre Ingram to Play for Utah Jazz in Summer League

American University men’s basketball alumnus Andre Ingram, ‘07, has been invited to play for the Utah Jazz in the 2009 Orlando Pro Summer League.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Yao will wait week before surgery decision
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot. The future of 7-foot-6 (226-centimeter) Yao are in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out of all of next season, and potentially end his career. “It hasn’t been decided yet,” Yao’s agent, Eric Zhang, told The Associated Press on Friday.

Yao will wait week before surgery decision
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot. The future of 7-foot-6 (226-centimeter) Yao are in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out of all of next season, and potentially end his career. “It hasn’t been decided yet,” Yao’s agent, Eric Zhang, told The Associated Press on Friday.

Monson: It’s easier for the Jazz to blow cash than to get their money’s worth

One thing I thought I’d never see out of the Jazz is this: They could wind up with the highest — or near the highest — payroll in the NBA .

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Yao will wait week before surgery decision
Houston Rockets All-Star center Yao Ming will have to wait up to a week before he knows whether he will need surgery on his broken left foot. The future of 7-foot-6 (226-centimeter) Yao are in question amid reports from the team doctor that the hairline fracture in his foot could keep him out of all of next season, and potentially end his career. “It hasn’t been decided yet,” Yao’s agent, Eric Zhang, told The Associated Press on Friday.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Shaq reveals new motto: ‘Win a ring for the King’
Shaquille O’Neal has joined his Cleveland teammates - and says he can help them win a title. Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O’Neal was introduced Thursday as a Cavalier before cheering young fans at the team’s suburban practice facility. The Cavaliers are hoping that the 15-time All-Star can help league MVP LeBron James and Cleveland win its first NBA championship. How long will O’Neal will stay with the Cavaliers is still a question.

Jazz Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

As much stability as they have enjoyed with John Stockton and Deron Williams at point guard over the years, the Jazz have struggled when it comes to finding capable backup ballhandlers.

Howard Eisley and Shandon Anderson are the two most regularly cited success stories. The last two seasons, the Jazz have searched for consistency between Jason Hart, Brevin Knight and Ronnie Price.

But the Jazz hope they found their backup point guard of the future in Virginia Commonwealth’s Eric Maynor. The Jazz selected Maynor with the 20th pick in the June 25 draft, amid a run of five consecutive point guards chosen.

Maynor pulled out of a scheduled workout with the Jazz with back spasms, but visited them for an interview on the eve of the draft.

That was more than could…

Report: Rockets, Ariza agree to deal
A person close to the situation tells The Associated Press that the Houston Rockets are meeting with Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza. The person, who did not want to be identified because the negotiations were ongoing, said Rockets general manager Daryl Morey was meeting with the free agent in Las Vegas. The meeting was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston, which also said Coach Rick Adelman was meeting with Ariza. The AP source could not confirm that.

Report: Pistons OK deals with Gordon, Villanueva
A person tells The Associated Press that Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon is in talks with the Detroit Pistons about joining the team. Pistons spokesman Kevin Grigg declined comment on Gordon’s situation Wednesday, saying there’s an NBA moratorium on discussing free-agent matters. But a person close to the talks says Gordon was in Michigan on Wednesday.

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A. Kobe and Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Updated odds to win 2010 championship following Draft, trades (Yahoo! Sports)
Bodog's odds to win the 2009-10 NBA Championship have been reassessed and posted following last week's…

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Pistons fire coach Curry after one year

DETROIT - All or nothing seems to be the formula for coaching the Detroit Pistons.

House stays in Boston

The Celtics‘ first move of the 2009 free agent season couldn’t have been more effortless.