AROUND THE NBA

Sensing that center Arvydas Sabonis has little intention of returning to the team, the Portland Trail Blazers signed free agent Chris Dudley to a one-year contract.

Dudley, a 6-foot-11 rebounder who’s a career 46% free-throw shooter, doesn’t have nearly the skills of the 7-foot-3 Sabonis, but the Trail Blazers are growing impatient waiting for Sabonis to make up his mind.

Sabonis, who has been living with his family in his native Lithuania most of the summer, has not let on what his plans are, although training camp is less than two weeks away. His agent, Herb Rudoy, has repeatedly said that Sabonis would contact him when he was ready to make an announcement.

“The Blazers will continue to keep the door open for Sabonis to return, but all indications from his representatives are that he does not want to play this year,” the Blazers said in a statement. “It is sounding more and more like he will not return, but nothing has been announced formally.”

A phone message left at Rudoy’s office was not returned.

Sabonis, who turns 37 in December, made more than $11 million last year, and the Blazers reportedly were in talks with Rudoy about signing Sabonis to a one-year deal at a smaller salary.

The lowest moment of last season, for him and the Blazers, came in a late-season loss to the Lakers at Staples Center. After accidentally smacking teammate Rasheed Wallace in the face, Wallace cursed Sabonis and threw a towel into his face during a timeout.

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The Orlando Magic have shelved plans for arena renovation, blaming a faltering economy for scuttling the $75 million project.

Magic executives, who had already seen their dreams for a new, $250 million arena pared back to a renovation of the 12-year-old TD Waterhouse Centre, said last week’s terrorist attacks put their controversial plans in a new perspective.

The Magic notified Orange County officials that negotiations were off indefinitely.

“As far as we’re concerned at this point, it’s not a happening thing--and won’t be for the foreseeable future,” said Cari Coats, the team’s vice president. “We need to get back to playing basketball.”

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The Boston Celtics Limited Partnership reported more than $4 million in losses for the fiscal year ending June 30.

The partnership, which indirectly owns 48.3% of the NBA franchise, said it lost $4.1 million, or $1.27 per unit, compared to a loss of $3.3 million, or $1.23 per unit, in the previous year.