Ridnour, Paul and Howard Expected to Try Out for U.S.

Seattle SuperSonic guard Luke Ridnour said he has been invited to try out for the U.S. basketball team that will compete at the world championships and the 2008 Olympics, and New Orleans Hornet guard Chris Paul and Orlando Magic forward Dwight Howard think they’ll be invited too.

Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are the only players publicly named to the 22-man roster invited to training camp in July. A 15-man team will head to Japan for the world championships in August.

USA basketball director Jerry Colangelo is expected to announce the entire roster Sunday.

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The Detroit Pistons signed free-agent guard Tony Delk, 32, waived Feb. 24 by the Atlanta Hawks after playing in one game this season.

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Chicago Bull forward Malik Allen is listed as day to day after spraining his neck when he fell into teammate Darius Songaila’s shin in Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota.

Guard Chris Duhon is also day to day after suffering a bruised jaw while taking a charge in the same game.

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Tim Thomas, 29, was waived by Chicago, clearing the way for the forward earning $14 million in the final year of his contract to sign with a playoff contender.... The Phoenix Suns waived swingman Jim Jackson, 35, who has played for 11 teams in 14 years.... The Houston Rockets released guard Jon Barry, 36, who has struggled with calf and foot injuries and has not played in 22 of the last 25 games.... Bryon Russell, 35, was waived by Seattle, less than a week after being acquired from Denver in a four-team, nine-player trade.... Denver waived Charles Smith, 30, who had come to the Nuggets from Portland in the four-team deal.