Money Talks When Stars Are About to Walk

Three months ago, most people around the NBAthought Sacramento’s Chris Webber and Toronto’s Vince Carter were certain to leave their teams once they became unrestricted free agents.

It’s a good thing the so-called experts didn’t bet on it.

What they failed to realize is that today’s NBA players are businessmen first. Following the money is their top priority.

In the cases of Webber and Carter, they signed long-term deals with their teams after realizing they would have to leave money on the table if they signed elsewhere.

“It doesn’t surprise me,” said Jeff Weltman, the Clippers’ director of player personnel. “All along I felt that they would stay because that is where they would get the most money. Also, the cities they play in have embraced them and they are playing on winning teams which have a chance to win it all.”

With teams reluctant to trade for elite players because of the implementation of a luxury tax next season, it’s clear that the league’s collective bargaining agreement has done exactly what Commissioner David Stern and the owners wanted it to accomplish.

Although Webber signed a seven-year deal for nearly $123 million and Carter signed a six-year contract extension for a reported $94 million, salaries will no longer escalate out of control through open-market bidding wars. Smaller-market teams such as Sacramento and Toronto can keep their key players instead of getting picked apart by richer teams.

“Even for teams that want to get into play, it’s getting harder,” Weltman said.

“You have guys who merit making the max, but there are only two or three teams that are capable of going out and signing them with cap space. . . . After that, their option is a sign-and-trade. That’s when teams end up thinking that it’s not worth it because cap space is so valuable. Teams don’t want to jam up their own salary cap to get something.”

No Need to Panic

With Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant on their roster, the Lakers would still be a threat even if they didn’t acquire guards Mitch Richmond and Lindsey Hunter and power forward Samaki Walker.

But since they did, General Manager Mitch Kupchak should get his props.

If Richmond’s knee is 100% and he’s in shape by the start of the regular season, the Lakers will have added a crafty veteran who is still feared by opponents. His ability to score and play within a system is a great fit.

Hunter is also a top-notch acquisition. Not only will he provide insurance for Derek Fisher, who is expected to be sidelined when the season starts while recovering from a broken foot, but Hunter has a lot of spring left in his legs.

The best thing about Walker is that he’s young and still improving. Playing next to O’Neal, Walker’s role will be simple: rebound.

The Lakers’ main opposition in the Western Conference may be Portland. The Trail Blazers’ new coach, Maurice Cheeks, could be the right man to get the most out of talented but troubled forward Rasheed Wallace. When Cheeks was assessed a technical foul by a woman referee at the Long Beach Summer League recently, Wallace reportedly called Cheeks and gave him a hard time. Their relationship is that good.

Portland also acquired Derek Anderson and Ruben Patterson, athletic swingmen who will give Cheeks more defensive options. Now if they only can get some production from Shawn Kemp and Dale Davis.

Sacramento also should be better with Mike Bibby at point guard instead of erratic Jason Williams. With Webber and Doug Christie both re-signing, and forward Predrag Stojakovic coming into his own, the Kings will have enough talent to allow young players such as Hidayet Turkoglu to develop.

And San Antonio? The Spurs have Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Antonio Daniels but not much after that. Do they really think Mark Bryant, Cherokee Parks and Bruce Bowen are the answers to counteract the Lakers or Blazers in the Western Conference playoffs?

Eastern Moves

Philadelphia was the class of the Eastern Conference last season, but the 76ers will be hard pressed to repeat, thanks to some off-season moves by their rivals.

Toronto, which pushed the 76ers to seven games in the conference semifinals, has consolidated Carter’s supporting cast by adding veteran center Hakeem Olajuwon and re-signing power forwards Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams and improving guard Alvin Williams.

Although Toronto may still have a few more deals to make, it appears likely the Raptors will have to pay a luxury tax. But Toronto understands it’s now or never and is counting on Coach Lenny Wilkens to take the team to the next level.

Orlando is another team to watch. The Magic expects a full-strength return by Grant Hill, who sat out nearly all of last season because of an ankle injury. Hill is complemented by emerging star Tracy McGrady.

To contend, Orlando Coach Doc Rivers figured his team needed veterans inside. So the Magic allowed John Amaechi to sign as a free agent with Utah and then added aging center Patrick Ewing and power forward Horace Grant.

After spending his best years with the New York Knicks, Ewing didn’t do much in his only season as a Seattle SuperSonic. But that didn’t discourage Orlando, which hopes Ewing can contribute and provide leadership.

But Orlando’s biggest move may be down the line. The Magic has first-round picks in each of the next four drafts, and also is owed first-round picks from Phoenix, Sacramento and the Clippers. So don’t be surprised if Orlando makes another run at Duncan, who will be a free agent following the 2003-04 season.

Crossover Moves

According to witnesses at Michael Jordan’s Summer Camp in Santa Barbara this week, Jordan hasn’t looked anything close to the player who retired as a Chicago Bull three years ago. In his nightly pickup games, Jordan has looked his age (38), partly because of his recent rib injury. Darius Miles, the Clippers’ 19-year-old phenom, has dominated play at the camp. But before people start writing off a possible NBA return by Jordan, they should realize he’s known for playing head games with his camp competition. . . .

The latest version of Jordan’s basketball shoe was unveiled this week at Harlem’s Riverbank Park. The Air Jordan XVI Low will be the world’s first convertible sneaker; the top of the shoe has a collar that folds down, so it can be a midcut or lowcut shoe. . . .

Many considered Miles the best player at the Long Beach Summer League, where he averaged 25.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, three blocked shots and 2.7 steals in seven games. . . .

The Clippers, who will play three games on national television next season, have already sold nearly 4,000 new season tickets for 2001-02. . . .

In case you missed it: LaPhonso Ellis is now with the Miami Heat; Tyrone Hill is with the Cleveland Cavaliers; Jacque Vaughn and Emanual Davis are with the Atlanta Hawks; Todd MacCulloch is with the New Jersey Nets; Stacey Augmon and Bryce Drew are with the Charlotte Hornets; Danny Manning is with the Dallas Mavericks, and Paul Pierce signed a six-year maximum contract extension with the Boston Celtics.