Warriors Sign Webber; Trade Possibility Looms

Chris Webber re-signed Wednesday night with the Golden State Warriors after a bitter contract dispute, but that did little to quell speculation he might not remain with the team.

The Warriors, who did not release terms of the agreement, said Webber was expected to rejoin the team Friday or Saturday.

The signing came at the end of a holdout that led Coach Don Nelson to say he would quit if such a move would facilitate signing Webber, who has said he was unhappy playing for Nelson last season.

Webber was angered at Nelson for making such a suggestion, and meanwhile his agents said they were investigating possible trades with four teams, including the Clippers.

By signing Webber, the Warriors now would be able to trade him. They could not have traded Webber, or even negotiated with other teams about a trade, while he remained an unsigned restricted free agent.

“We continue with the speculation,” agent Bill Strickland said in response to a question about whether Webber would soon be traded. “He’s under contract with the Warriors, and that’s all I can say at this time. He’s happy to have signed his contract, and hopefully we can move beyond what has been a press spectacle out there.”

Webber has missed the team’s first six games.