Lewis chooses Orlando over re-signing in Seattle

Forward Rashard Lewis, one of the most sought-after free agents, agreed to a “maximum contract” to leave the Seattle SuperSonics for the Orlando Magic, his agent said Tuesday.

Lewis is expected to get about $15 million annually. The Magic wouldn’t comment, citing league rules that an agreement cannot be announced until July 11.

Orlando can only sign Lewis to a five-year contract, while Seattle could sign Lewis to a six-year deal. Lewis’ agent, Tony Dutt, said the Magic and Seattle are in talks about a sign-and-trade deal that would give Lewis that sixth year, help Orlando clear some salary and give Seattle something in return.

Lewis, 27, who averaged 22.4 points and 6.6 rebounds last season, opted out of the final two years of his contract with Seattle in late May, leaving behind a guaranteed $21 million.

Meanwhile, Patrick Ewing was hired as a Magic assistant.

--

The SuperSonics scheduled a Thursday news conference amid reports that the team has hired San Antonio Spurs assistant P.J. Carlesimo as its new coach.

Team officials refused to comment on a report that first appeared on the San Antonio Express-News website. Seattle’s new general manager, Sam Presti, spent the last seven years with the Spurs.

--

Point guard Chauncey Billups and the Detroit Pistons agreed to a five-year, $60 million contract, with the fifth season a team option, a person with knowledge of the deal told the Associated Press.

Billups, 30, opted out of the last year of a six-year contract. He averaged 17 points and 7.2 assists last season.

--

Former Laker Kareem Rush, the Baltic League Final Four most valuable player last season in Lithuania, agreed to a deal with the Indiana Pacers.

--

The Sacramento Kings let go of all four assistants -- Scott Brooks, Brendan O’Connor, Mark Hughes and Clay Moser -- who worked for fired coach Eric Musselman last season.

HOCKEY

Ducks re-sign May to a two-year deal

The Ducks re-signed left wing Brad May to a two-year, $1.2 million contract. May, 35, had one assist in 18 playoff games, but his physical play on the fourth line impressed club officials.

The Ducks are also looking to upgrade their depth on defense and, according to a league source, are believed to be pursuing Atlanta’s Shane Hnidy and the Kings’ Jamie Heward, both unrestricted free agents.

-- Eric Stephens

--

The Kings signed Calgary free-agent defenseman Brad Stuart, 27, to a one-year, $3.5-million contract, gave goaltender Jason LaBarbera, 27, a two-year, $1.65-million extension and watched goaltender Mathieu Garon, 29, an unrestricted free agent, sign a two-year deal with Edmonton.

-- Lonnie White

--

The Edmonton Oilers complained to the NHL that they had an agreement with free-agent center Michael Nylander before he signed a four-year, $19.5-million deal with the Washington Capitals.... The Nashville Predators signed goalie Chris Mason, 31, to a $6-million, two-year contract extension.... The New Jersey Devils signed forward Dainius Zubrus, 29, two days after losing Scott Gomez to the New York Rangers.

PRO FOOTBALL

NFL suspends Rhodes for first four games

Oakland Raiders running back Dominic Rhodes, who played for Indianapolis last season, was suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

--

Torrie Cox of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers was suspended for the first four games of the regular season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

MOTOR RACING

NASCAR defends cheating penalties

NASCAR has not ruled out suspending drivers for cheating on the Car of Tomorrow.

“Of course we would,” Chairman Brian France said. “We have in the past and we will in the future. We’re not hoping to do that.”

France also said NASCAR is investigating reports that crew chiefs Chad Knaus, Steve Letarte and Tony Eury Jr. were at New Hampshire International Speedway last weekend despite their suspensions. One report even said Letarte participated in a team meeting.

--

Dale Earnhardt Jr. will drive his own No. 88 Chevrolet on Friday when he replaces Shane Huffman in the Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

MISCELLANY

British Open winner will receive $1.5 million

The winner of this month’s British Open golf tournament will receive $1.5 million, making it the richest top prize in any major. The winner of the July 19-22 tournament at Carnoustie, Scotland, would earn $60,460 more than Tiger Woods did when he won at Royal Liverpool last year.

--

ESPN announced that Trevor Ringland and Dave Cullen, two men from Northern Ireland on opposite sides of the 30-year conflict , will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the July 15 ESPYs.”

Ringland, a Protestant rugby star, and Cullen, a Catholic who grew up using basketball to escape the realities of the conflict, brought children together earlier this year from both religious denominations to play basketball in a peace effort.

-- Larry Stewart

--

T.J. Hardeman was named the women’s basketball coach at Azusa Pacific. Hardeman, 50, coached at Hope International the last three years.

PASSINGS

Jimmy Walker, 63, former basketball star

Former Providence All-American Jimmy Walker, a first-round draft pick by the Detroit Pistons in 1967 after being college basketball’s leading scorer, died of lung cancer in Kansas City, Mo. He was 63. He was the father of NBA player Jalen Rose.