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.

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

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

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

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.

Sources: Turkoglu changes mind on Blazers (Yahoo! Sports)
Free agent Hedo Turkoglu has backed out of his commitment to Portland and plans to sign with Toronto.

Source: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers (PA SportsTicker)
By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer

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.

Source: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers (PA SportsTicker)
By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer

Sources: Turkoglu changes mind on Blazers (Yahoo! Sports)
Free agent Hedo Turkoglu has backed out of his commitment to Portland and plans to sign with Toronto.

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.

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

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.

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

Source: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers (PA SportsTicker)
By ANNE M. PETERSON AP Sports Writer

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…

Trail Blazers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

More than anything, the Trail Blazers cleared up their situation at point guard and positioned themselves for a nice run in free agency this summer with their maneuvers in the NBA draft.

The Blazers drafted Spanish forward Victor Claver as a future pick at No. 22 in the first round and acquired three second-round selections who will get an opportunity to make the club next season.

Portland gave away reserve point guard Sergio Rodriguez—who at best was going to have to fight for reserve minutes with Jerryd Bayless next season—to Sacramento to save $1.5 million on the salary cap.

The Blazers preserved the nucleus of their roster and gave themselves a little more cushion as they hope to add another important piece or two through a trade or free…

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

Trail Blazers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

More than anything, the Trail Blazers cleared up their situation at point guard and positioned themselves for a nice run in free agency this summer with their maneuvers in the NBA draft.

The Blazers drafted Spanish forward Victor Claver as a future pick at No. 22 in the first round and acquired three second-round selections who will get an opportunity to make the club next season.

Portland gave away reserve point guard Sergio Rodriguez—who at best was going to have to fight for reserve minutes with Jerryd Bayless next season—to Sacramento to save $1.5 million on the salary cap.

The Blazers preserved the nucleus of their roster and gave themselves a little more cushion as they hope to add another important piece or two through a trade or free…

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

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.

Trail Blazers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

More than anything, the Trail Blazers cleared up their situation at point guard and positioned themselves for a nice run in free agency this summer with their maneuvers in the NBA draft.

The Blazers drafted Spanish forward Victor Claver as a future pick at No. 22 in the first round and acquired three second-round selections who will get an opportunity to make the club next season.

Portland gave away reserve point guard Sergio Rodriguez—who at best was going to have to fight for reserve minutes with Jerryd Bayless next season—to Sacramento to save $1.5 million on the salary cap.

The Blazers preserved the nucleus of their roster and gave themselves a little more cushion as they hope to add another important piece or two through a trade or free…

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.

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…

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.

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.

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

Trail Blazers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

More than anything, the Trail Blazers cleared up their situation at point guard and positioned themselves for a nice run in free agency this summer with their maneuvers in the NBA draft.

The Blazers drafted Spanish forward Victor Claver as a future pick at No. 22 in the first round and acquired three second-round selections who will get an opportunity to make the club next season.

Portland gave away reserve point guard Sergio Rodriguez—who at best was going to have to fight for reserve minutes with Jerryd Bayless next season—to Sacramento to save $1.5 million on the salary cap.

The Blazers preserved the nucleus of their roster and gave themselves a little more cushion as they hope to add another important piece or two through a trade or free…

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Trail Blazers Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

More than anything, the Trail Blazers cleared up their situation at point guard and positioned themselves for a nice run in free agency this summer with their maneuvers in the NBA draft.

The Blazers drafted Spanish forward Victor Claver as a future pick at No. 22 in the first round and acquired three second-round selections who will get an opportunity to make the club next season.

Portland gave away reserve point guard Sergio Rodriguez—who at best was going to have to fight for reserve minutes with Jerryd Bayless next season—to Sacramento to save $1.5 million on the salary cap.

The Blazers preserved the nucleus of their roster and gave themselves a little more cushion as they hope to add another important piece or two through a trade or free…

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…

Does Portland know that Hedo Turkoglu is 30? (Yahoo! Sports)
30. 31, by the time the playoffs start next season. Portland? By the time the playoffs start in 2010?

Does Portland know that Hedo Turkoglu is 30? (Yahoo! Sports)
30. 31, by the time the playoffs start next season. Portland? By the time the playoffs start in 2010?

Report: Gordon, Pistons agree to deal
Score two for Detroit. Ben Gordon, one of Randy Hill’s top 10 free agents, and Charlie Villanueva reportedly will sign with the Pistons.