Lakers, Divac Postpone Decision

The Lakers and Vlade Divac agreed to postpone a decision on the aging center’s contract status until Sept. 30, giving the team an additional three months to decide whether to bring him back.

The Lakers can pick up a one-year, $5.4-million option or buy him out for $2 million, a decision originally due today. With the revised deadline, the Lakers can better judge the condition of Divac’s back a few days before training camp begins in early October. They will also have a better idea of Andrew Bynum’s development and whether the 17-year-old draft pick will be able to contribute next season.

“It’s something that affords us a lot more flexibility in a lot of different ways,” Laker General Manager Mitch Kupchak said.

Divac, 37, had mid-season back surgery and averaged 2.3 points in only 15 games last season.

-- Mike Bresnahan

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Point guard Damon Jones decided not to exercise the $2.75-million option year of his contract with the Miami Heat and became an unrestricted free agent.

Jones, the Heat’s starting point guard last season, can negotiate with teams starting today, but cannot sign with the Heat or any other club until July 22.

Jones is one of several Miami players whose status for next season is still undecided. The Heat is expected to begin negotiating with Shaquille O’Neal on a longer-term deal today; O’Neal is owed $30.6 million for the final year of his existing contract.

Former Clipper Keyon Dooling, who played a key role as a reserve guard for the Heat, is also expected to become a free agent although he too hasn’t ruled out a return to Miami.

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The Seattle SuperSonics extended qualifying offers to forwards Vladimir Radmanovic and Reggie Evans and guards Ronald Murray and Damien Wilkins, giving the team the right of first refusal to match any offers those restricted free agents get. ... The Golden State Warriors exercised options on guard Mickael Pietrus and forward Zarko Cabarkapa. ... Dan D’Antoni, older brother of Phoenix Coach Mike D’Antoni, was hired by the Suns as an assistant coach. Dan D’Antoni, 57, had coached 30 years at Socastee High in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Associated Press contributed to this report.