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.

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

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.

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.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

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.

Reports: Turkoglu opts for Raptors over Blazers
Turkish forward Hedo Turkoglu will join the Toronto Raptors after spurning the Portland Trail Blazers, according to multiple reports. The 208-centimeter (6-foot-10) free agent helped Orlando to the NBA finals last season. On Friday, a person close to the Blazers confirmed that Turkoglu ended contract talks with them. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations.

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.

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.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

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.

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.

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.

Hornets starting Bass talks

With less than a week remaining before free agents can sign contracts, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower has inquired about former LSU and Hornets forward Brandon Bass, a league source said Thursday afternoon.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

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.

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.

Hornets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Hornets want to play Chris Paul fewer minutes. But they also want to play more like they do with Paul even when he’s not in the game.

They are better able to do both after getting UCLA point guard Darren Collison and LSU guard Marcus Thornton in the draft. They used their only pick, No. 21 in the first round, to select Collison, and sent two future second-round picks (2010 and ‘12) to Miami for Thornton, whom the Heat had selected at No. 43.

Coach Byron Scott was careful not to compare Collison too much with Paul but said Collison’s basketball I.Q., toughness, and ability and determination to push the basketball will allow the Hornets to play Paul’s style when the two-time All-Star is on the bench.

Scott said he hopes Collison will earn 12-17 minutes per game…

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.

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.

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…

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.

Hornets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Hornets want to play Chris Paul fewer minutes. But they also want to play more like they do with Paul even when he’s not in the game.

They are better able to do both after getting UCLA point guard Darren Collison and LSU guard Marcus Thornton in the draft. They used their only pick, No. 21 in the first round, to select Collison, and sent two future second-round picks (2010 and ‘12) to Miami for Thornton, whom the Heat had selected at No. 43.

Coach Byron Scott was careful not to compare Collison too much with Paul but said Collison’s basketball I.Q., toughness, and ability and determination to push the basketball will allow the Hornets to play Paul’s style when the two-time All-Star is on the bench.

Scott said he hopes Collison will earn 12-17 minutes per game…

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.

Signing free-agent Brandon Bass should be priority for New Orleans Hornets

We soon will see — really, really soon — just how interested Brandon Bass is in the Hornets.

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.

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.

Wright, Collison, Thornton head Hornets’ summer-league team

For the third consecutive year since entering the league as a first-round draft choice in 2007, forward Julian Wright will be part of the Hornets‘ summer-league team that will play this month in Las Vegas.

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

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.

Hornets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Hornets want to play Chris Paul fewer minutes. But they also want to play more like they do with Paul even when he’s not in the game.

They are better able to do both after getting UCLA point guard Darren Collison and LSU guard Marcus Thornton in the draft. They used their only pick, No. 21 in the first round, to select Collison, and sent two future second-round picks (2010 and ‘12) to Miami for Thornton, whom the Heat had selected at No. 43.

Coach Byron Scott was careful not to compare Collison too much with Paul but said Collison’s basketball I.Q., toughness, and ability and determination to push the basketball will allow the Hornets to play Paul’s style when the two-time All-Star is on the bench.

Scott said he hopes Collison will earn 12-17 minutes per game…

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.

Signing free-agent Brandon Bass should be priority for New Orleans Hornets

We soon will see — really, really soon — just how interested Brandon Bass is in the Hornets.

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

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

Suicide lines: Grizzlies try Randolph; Nuggets start on Birdman … (Yahoo! Sports)
Every weekday morning, Ball Don't Lie serves up a handful of NBA-related stories to digest with your…

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

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.

Hornets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Hornets want to play Chris Paul fewer minutes. But they also want to play more like they do with Paul even when he’s not in the game.

They are better able to do both after getting UCLA point guard Darren Collison and LSU guard Marcus Thornton in the draft. They used their only pick, No. 21 in the first round, to select Collison, and sent two future second-round picks (2010 and ‘12) to Miami for Thornton, whom the Heat had selected at No. 43.

Coach Byron Scott was careful not to compare Collison too much with Paul but said Collison’s basketball I.Q., toughness, and ability and determination to push the basketball will allow the Hornets to play Paul’s style when the two-time All-Star is on the bench.

Scott said he hopes Collison will earn 12-17 minutes per game…

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.

New Orleans Hornets looking to sign help, make trades

Jannero Pargo and Chris Paul paired well in the Hornets‘ backcourt two seasons ago.

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

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…

Wright, Collison, Thornton head Hornets’ summer-league team

For the third consecutive year since entering the league as a first-round draft choice in 2007, forward Julian Wright will be part of the Hornets‘ summer-league team that will play this month in Las Vegas.

Hornets Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

The Hornets want to play Chris Paul fewer minutes. But they also want to play more like they do with Paul even when he’s not in the game.

They are better able to do both after getting UCLA point guard Darren Collison and LSU guard Marcus Thornton in the draft. They used their only pick, No. 21 in the first round, to select Collison, and sent two future second-round picks (2010 and ‘12) to Miami for Thornton, whom the Heat had selected at No. 43.

Coach Byron Scott was careful not to compare Collison too much with Paul but said Collison’s basketball I.Q., toughness, and ability and determination to push the basketball will allow the Hornets to play Paul’s style when the two-time All-Star is on the bench.

Scott said he hopes Collison will earn 12-17 minutes per game…

New Orleans Hornets looking to sign help, make trades

Jannero Pargo and Chris Paul paired well in the Hornets‘ backcourt two seasons ago.

Signing free-agent Brandon Bass should be priority for New Orleans Hornets

We soon will see — really, really soon — just how interested Brandon Bass is in the Hornets.

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.

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