Mutombo Scooped Up By Hawks
Dikembe Mutombo became the latest premier player to cash in on the free-agent market, signing a contract with the Atlanta Hawks believed to be worth at least $50 million for five years.
The 7-foot-2 center, who has led the league in blocked shots the past three seasons, played the first five years of his career with the Denver Nuggets.
“It was time for me to move on with my life,” Mutombo told a news conference.
Hawks trade Long
In another move, the Hawks traded swingman Stacey Augmon and forward Grant Long to the Detroit Pistons for two first-round and two second-round draft picks.
Long, 6-9, averaged 13.1 points and a career-high 9.6 rebounds last season. Augmon, 6-8, averaged 12.7 points and 3.9 rebounds.
The Pistons, meanwhile, renounced their rights to Lou Roe, Mark West and Eric Leckner, meaning they can sign with any team as free agents.
Blazers trade Strickland
Portland traded point guard Rod Strickland and forward Harvey Grant to the Washington Bullets for Rasheed Wallace and Mitchell Butler.
Bullets sign Murray
The Bullets also added Tracy Murray, a free-agent forward, who spent last season with the Toronto Raptors. Terms were not disclosed.
Murray, 6-7 and 228 pounds, averaged 16.2 points and 4.3 rebounds in 82 games for the expansion Raptors.
Lakers pessimistic about Shaq
The Los Angeles Lakers, all but convinced that Shaquille O’Neal is staying in Orlando, have opened talks with the other Hollywood type on this summer’s list of free-agent stars. Dennis Rodman.
The Chicago forward has emerged as the Lakers’ latest target, sources told the Los Angeles Daily News, with O’Neal’s return to the Magic - for at least $115 million over seven seasons - now considered inevitable.
Although the Lakers haven’t formally withdrawn from the Shaq Sweepstakes, vice president Jerry West began the new week with a surprise, arranging a face-to-face sit-down Monday night with Rodman and his agent.
Rockets pay Price
Brent Price, a free-agent point guard, who spent the last three seasons with the Bullets, signed a seven-year contract with the Rockets, Houston’s KTRK-TV reported. xxxx PERKINS SIGNS WITH SONICS Seattle re-signed free agent forward Sam Perkins to a two-year guaranteed contract on Monday. Terms of the deal were not announced. Perkins, 35, played in 82 games last season. He averaged 11.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.