Possible Deals For Hardaway Fail To Develop

The vision danced in the heads of John Calipari and John Nash: Penny Hardaway in a New Jersey Nets uniform, holding aloft the team’s first National Basketball Association championship trophy.

But the Nets were awakened from their dream Wednesday, coming close to a deal for the Orlando Magic’s All-Star guard before seeing it fall apart.

Calipari, the Nets’ coach, and Nash, the team’s general manager, confirmed Wednesday that New Jersey tried to swing a three-way trade that would have sent Kendall Gill and Sam Cassell to the Toronto Raptors. The Nets would have received Damon Stoudamire and Walt Williams, who would then have been packaged with Kevin Edwards and the Nets’ 1998 No. 1 draft pick and sent to the Magic for Hardaway.

What would have been a dream for the Nets was not as inviting a prospect for Hardaway, who told The Associated Press Wednesday: “I really don’t want to play in New Jersey. I don’t want to go somewhere where I don’t want to be.” He added that Calipari’s reputation for volatility would be a problem “with any player.”

Hardaway also said that he expected to be traded soon, but according to Calipari and several other league executives, there now appears to be little chance that he will come to the Nets.

Blazers suspend Rider

The Portland Trail Blazers suspended guard Isaiah Rider for one game, costing him about $51,000 in salary.

Rider was benched for the first quarter of Tuesday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers after missing a team meeting. Later in the game, he exchanged words with coach Mike Dunleavy, and left the court with about seven minutes left.

On the courts

At Inglewood, Calif., Shaquille O’Neal overcame an upset stomach to score 33 points and grab 10 rebounds Wednesday night as the Los Angeles Lakers warmed up for a showdown with Seattle Friday by defeating the Golden State Warriors 105-99.

At Los Angeles, Rod Strickland had 31 points and 13 assists, and Calbert Cheaney scored 22 of his 28 points in the first half as the Washington Wizards defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 110-104.