James, Wade, Anthony, Bosh all stay put

Rather than choose the five-year extensions they were eligible for that would kick in starting with the 2007-08 season, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade went for three years with an option for a fourth – and the chance to become free agents sooner and potentially make even more money.

Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh of Toronto, also top-five picks from the ‘03 draft, could have gone the same route. But Anthony went for a five-year deal with Denver worth an estimated $80 million.

“I thought this was the best move for me as a young player and I’m looking forward to it,” Wade said. “I think with everything coming with LeBron and Carmelo and Chris, we all make our own decisions. Of course, we all talk, no question about it, because we’re all friends. … But everyone makes a decision for themselves, thinking about their futures and their families.”

Both James and Wade said their decisions had nothing to do with wanting the ability to leave their teams earlier. Neither the Cavaliers nor Heat seemed concerned by the decisions their franchise players made.

Teams could begin negotiating with free agents on July 1, but deals couldn’t be signed until Wednesday after the salary cap for the upcoming season was set at $53.135 million. That cleared the way for a number of signings and trades:

•The Memphis Grizzlies acquired and then signed Rudy Gay, the eighth pick in the draft, along with Stromile Swift for forward Shane Battier. The trade means that five of the first eight players selected on draft night have been dealt.

•The Houston Rockets lost out on a player they wanted when free agent Mike James picked Minnesota. Houston thought it was going to land the Toronto guard.

•Dallas got Austin Croshere from Indiana for Marquis Daniels in a previously agreed-to trade. The Mavericks also worked out a deal with Denver guard Greg Buckner.

•The Los Angeles Clippers gave a two-year deal to Sam Cassell, who sparked them to within a game of the Western Conference finals last season. But Vladimir Radmanovic opted not to return and will try to provide a perimeter threat for Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

•The New Orleans Hornets acquired Peja Stojakovic and cash considerations from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for the draft rights to Andrew Betts, to boost their outside shooting. But Speedy Claxton, the runner-up for the NBA’s sixth man award last season, left the Hornets for a four-year deal worth about $25.5 million with the Atlanta Hawks.

•Utah sent guards Devin Brown, Keith McLeod and Andre Owens to Golden State for guard Derek Fisher. The Jazz also re-signed forward Matt Harpring to a four-year, $25 million deal.

•Ben Wallace, who bolted Detroit for Chicago in what was perhaps the biggest free-agent signing, will be introduced today by the Bulls.

•The New Jersey Nets signed first-round draft picks Marcus Williams and Josh Boone to multiyear contracts.

The 6-foot-3 Williams, the 22nd overall pick of the draft, averaged 12.3 points and a Big East-high 8.6 assists for Connecticut last season.

Boone, the 23rd overall pick averaged 10.3 points, seven rebounds and two blocks last season for the Huskies.

•Mickael Gelabale, the Seattle SuperSonics’ second-round pick in the 2005 draft, signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract. The first $200,000 of his deal will go to help pay a $700,000 buyout of his contract with Real Madrid, with the rest paid by the Sonics.

Team USA adds Hinrich

Chicago Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich was added to the U.S. national team.

The squad needs another outside shooting threat with J.J. Redick injured.

Hinrich averaged a career-best 15.9 points last season and was better in the playoffs, averaging 20.5 points and 7.7 assists.

Bzdelik rejects offer

Air Force coach Jeff Bzdelik rejected an offer to be an assistant coach with the Denver Nuggets, the team that fired him as head coach 19 months ago.

“I am flattered that the Denver Nuggets would have an interest in me,” Bzdelik said. “However, I am totally committed to my present job at the Air Force Academy and very excited about our future.”