NBA Puts a Cap on Activity

By MARK HEISLER

July 19, 2001 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

Instead of opening their annual bazaar, NBA general managers sat around as lawyers from the league and the players union spent Wednesday resolving their latest dispute, delaying the official start of business.

The two sides finally succeeded in setting next season’s salary cap at the $42.5-million mark everyone expected. By then, however, it was evening in the east and several news conferences announcing re-signings, such as Dikembe Mutombo in Philadelphia, Antonio Davis in Toronto and Michael Finley in Dallas, had been postponed until today.

So much of what happened Wednesday was unofficial, such as:

* The Lakers were reported close to agreement with Mitch Richmond.

Richmond has agreed in principle to a one-year, $1-million contract that would make him a bargain, even at age 36. At 35, he averaged 16 points a game for the Wizards and he’s a 39% career three-point shooter.

“No comment,” Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said.

* Chris Webber had second thoughts about returning to Sacramento, or 102nd thoughts, but he will remain a King, his agent said Wednesday night.

“He’s going back to Sacramento. He always wanted to go back with the Kings,” agent Fallasha Erwin said. “They had to do something to drive him away rather than someone else win him over.”

Last weekend Erwin told the Sacramento Bee, “I think we’ll soon have something to say that will be positive for Chris as well as Sacramento.”

However, after Webber visited Indiana, where his old friend and Michigan teammate Jalen Rose plays, Erwin acknowledged Webber was “having second thoughts. He’s going back and forth and he’s not sure what he wants to do.”

Webber is expected to get a seven-year, $123-million contract, the second highest in league history behind Kevin Garnett’s $126 million, and will sign a contract either Friday or Saturday, Erwin said.

* Laker guard Tyronn Lue officially became a Wizard, signing a two-year, $3.1-million contract and appearing at a news conference in Washington.

“I had a great experience winning championships in L.A.,” Lue said. “That was fun, but I came here to have a chance to play and grow with young players.”

* Orlando introduced its newest signee, Patrick Ewing, but delayed its expected announcement that it has also signed ex-Laker Horace Grant.

The Magic will pay Grant $5 million over two seasons, with a third season at club option.

The Lakers actually matched the offer, but Grant, who has a home in Orlando, chose the Magic.

The Lakers were thought to be limited to $2.5 million to split between Richmond and a big man. However, they also can ask guard Brian Shaw, who’s scheduled to make $2.25 million but whose contract isn’t guaranteed until Dec. 1, to take a pay cut to free up more money.

The Lakers’ first choice is former Spur Samaki Walker, but even if they go to $2.5 million for him, as they did for Grant, they’re afraid another team will offer more.

In that case, they would turn to journeymen such as Mark Bryant or John Amaechi. This may be why the Lakers pursued Grant so doggedly at the end.

* Former San Antonio point guard Avery Johnson, 36, who played for Denver in 1990-91, got a three-year contract with the Nuggets worth $14.4 million.

* Other players officially staying with their teams included: Doug Christie, Kings (seven years, $48 million); Aaron McKie, 76ers (seven years, $42 million); Jerome Williams, Raptors (seven years, $40.8 million); Nazr Mohammed, Hawks (five years, $25 million); and Milt Palacio, Celtics (two years, $1.43 million).

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

WEBBER

Age: 28

2000-01

Points: 27.1

FG Pct.: .481

FT Pct.: .703

Rebounds: 11.1

RICHMOND

Age: 36

2000-01

Points: 16.2