Raptors Pursue Olajuwon; Anderson May Leave Spurs

Hakeem Olajuwon will not finish his career with the Houston Rockets if the Toronto Raptors have their way. Derek Anderson might not be playing for the San Antonio Spurs next season unless they make him a better offer.

The Raptors are trying to sign Olajuwon, 38, who has spent his first 17 seasons in Houston and earned $16 million last season.

“I’d have trouble seeing him in another uniform, and that’s why we’re working so hard to keep him here,” Rocket General Manager Carroll Dawson said Thursday. “Money and years are both issues.”

The Raptors are likely offering their $4.5-million exception to the 7-footer.

Anderson, meanwhile, remained at odds with the Spurs over financial terms. San Antonio is offering $36 million over five years, but Anderson, 27, wants a sixth year guaranteed--along with maximum raises from year to year.

The Phoenix Suns signed free-agent swingman Dan Majerle, 35, to a one-year, $1-million contract, bringing him back to the team with which he spent his first seven years in the NBA. He had played the past four years with the Miami Heat.

In another move, the Suns hired former center Mark West, 40, for the new position of assistant general manager.

In deals completed Thursday:

Center Dikembe Mutombo, 35, re-signed with the Philadelphia 76ers for four years and $65 million. . . . The Utah Jazz, hoping for more production at center, signed free agent John Amaechi, 30, to a multiyear contract. . . . Forward Christian Laettner, 31, stayed with the Washington Wizards for a reported $21 million over four years. . . . Guard Anthony Carter, 26, re-signed with the Heat for a reported $12 million over three years. . . . Basketballs used during the NBA Finals with the championship logo and the logos of the Lakers and 76ers are being sold by USA Sports Network at (888) 408-4764.