Kings extend qualifying offers

The Kings, who had the third-worst record in the NHL last season, said Tuesday they have extended qualifying offers to seven restricted free agents, led by forward Michael Cammalleri, who set career highs in goals (34), assists (46) and points (80) last season.

Cammalleri, a second-round pick in 2001, is expected to seek a major deal after playing the last two seasons on separate one-year contracts. The Kings hope to avoid arbitration.

Other Kings who had their rights retained included forwards Petr Kanko, Matt Ryan and John Zeiler along with defensemen Richard Petiot and Peter Harrold, who played 12 games for the Kings last season, and goalie Jason LaBarbera, who spent last season playing with Manchester in the AHL.

The Kings did not tender offers to goalies Yutaka Fukufuji, who became the first Japanese-born player to play in the NHL when he made his debut Jan. 13, and Barry Brust; forwards Jamie Lundmark, Greg Hogeboom and Shay Stephenson; and defenseman Joey Mormina.

-- Lonnie White

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The Atlanta Thrashers sent the rights to free-agent center Keith Tkachuk back to St. Louis, reacquiring the conditional first-round pick they traded to the Blues in a deadline deal that helped Atlanta reach the playoffs for the first time.... The St. Louis Blues put 14-year NHL veteran Dallas Drake on waivers, the first step in buying out the final year on his contract if he goes unclaimed.

PRO BASKETBALL

James will play for U.S. this summer

Cleveland All-Star forward LeBron James ended uncertainty about his status with the U.S. national team by saying he will play in next month’s FIBA America’s Tournament, where the Americans will try to qualify for the 2008 Olympics.

“I’ve had enough time off, and knowing my body more than anybody, I’m ready to play. I don’t know how much I’m going to play or how extensively, but I’ll be ready,” James said.

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Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace will become an unrestricted free agent Sunday after deciding not to extend his contract for another season.

Wallace made just over $5.5 million last season and will probably command at least $10 million a season under a new deal.

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Earl Boykins will become a free agent, forgoing the $3-million player option on his contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.

SAILING

Challenger takes lead in America’s Cup

On a day of shifting winds and swelling waves in Valencia, Spain, the challenger from New Zealand took the lead in the America’s Cup from defending champion Alinghi.

Emirates Team New Zealand is ahead, 2-1, after prevailing in a race that featured eight lead changes, bow-to-bow sailing and a victory margin of 25 seconds. The fourth race in the best-of-nine series for the Auld Mug, the oldest trophy in international sports, is today.

MISCELLANY

Cuban defectors will get a tryout with Chivas USA

Two members of the Cuban national soccer team who defected during the Gold Cup tournament this month will get a tryout with Chivas USA.

Lester More, 28, and Osvaldo Alonso, 21, are in New York trying to get the necessary paperwork to play in Major League Soccer. Once they do, they will come to L.A. to begin their tryout, Chivas CEO and General Manager Javier Leon said.

Leon hopes the players can be in camp next week.

-- Jaime Cardenas

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O.D. Vincent, who guided the UCLA men’s golf program to four top-10 NCAA finishes in his five seasons as coach, has been hired away by Duke.

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Jacqueline Nguyen, a 2007 graduate from the UCLA women’s track and field team, has been awarded one of 58 post-graduate scholarships by the NCAA. Nguyen is the only woman on the West Coast to receive the honor.

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Laffit Pincay Jr. will be a special guest at a charity golf fund-raiser Aug. 14 at La Costa Resort & Spa. The event benefits Circle of Friends, which aids abused children. Gary Stevens, Alex Solis, David Flores and Corey Nakatani are scheduled to play.