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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Reports Link Barkley To Three-Way Trade

From Wire Reports

The Phoenix Suns are reportedly discussing a three-way deal that would get them Denver Nuggets center Dikembe Mutombo and send forward Charles Barkley to the Houston Rockets.

The Arizona Republic reported Friday that Suns sources confirmed the trade talks.

But after the NBA and its players’ association finalized their disputed collective bargaining agreement Friday, all trades, negotiations and free-agent signings will be prohibited until July 9.

As part of the deal, the Nuggets would get forward Robert Horry and guard Sam Cassell from the Rockets, the Republic said. Houston would get another member of the Suns besides Barkley, but it won’t be Elliot Perry as some reports have said.

Rider’s arrest upstages Marbury

Still riding an enormous high from the draft-day coup that netted Stephon Marbury, the Minnesota Timberwolves hoped to continue the celebration by introducing their new point guard.

Instead, they found that their maddening relationship with Isaiah Rider had taken another embarrassing turn.

Rider, in trouble with the law and the team throughout his three-year career, was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of an illegal cellular telephone, both misdemeanors, after he was arrested Thursday night in his hometown of Oakland, Calif.

“This is really Stephon Marbury’s day, you guys,” Kevin McHale, the Wolves’ VP of basketball operations, said before Marbury’s arrival. “This is not a day to ask Stephon Marbury questions about J.R. Rider. Let’s try to get the focus of this thing back on Stephon.”

Ehlo a free agent

Craig Ehlo became a free agent after the Atlanta Hawks declined to exercise their option on his contract, which would have paid him $1.8 million for the 1996-97 season.

Ehlo, a 6-foot-7 guard from Washington State University, averaged 8.5 points last season, his third with Atlanta after seven seasons at Cleveland. The Hawks said they would welcome him back next season if he fails to agree to terms with another club.

Quick shots

Bucks assistant coaches Frank Hamblen, Jim Eyen and Butch Carter were fired by new Milwaukee coach Chris Ford. … The Blazers decided not to exercise their option to keep 36-year-old power forward Buck Williams for the final year of his contract. Also, Portland has acquired the draft rights to Jason Sasser from Sacramento in exchange for undisclosed future considerations. … Dontae’ Jones, one of the Knicks’ three first-round draft picks in this week’s NBA draft, underwent successful surgery on his left foot. … As expected, the Detroit Pistons acquired Arizona State guard Ron Riley from Seattle in exchange for a second-round pick in the 1997 NBA draft. … Mark Macon, waived by the Pistons in April, has been charged in a warrant with carrying a concealed weapon in his car in Flint, Mich., on June 5. Police found a 9mm weapon and full clip of bullets. They told prosecutors Macon was cooperative.