Report: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers
Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails. The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

VIDEO: Hill on Artest reportedly joining Lakers
Lakers fans, don’t worry. Even though the unpredictable Ron Artest is set to join L.A., Kobe & Co. will keep him in line, Randy Hill says.

Report: Turkoglu cuts off talks with Blazers
Free-agent forward Hedo Turkoglu and the Portland Trail Blazers have ended contract talks, a person close to the team confirmed Friday. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the negotiations. Turkoglu’s agent, Lon Babby, didn’t immediately return calls or e-mails. The 6-foot-10 forward who helped the Orlando Magic to the NBA finals arrived in Portland on Thursday to meet Blazers executives and tour the city.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Wizards Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Despite sporting the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards did not go into the draft thinking they needed to rebuild.

Because players like Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood lost virtually their entire seasons to injuries, the front office believes that the team will more closely resemble the one that made four consecutive playoff runs when training camp resumes rather than the atrocity that masqueraded as a professional basketball team in the 2008-09 season, so the plan was to retool rather than rebuild.

With that mindset, the Wizards dealt their way out of the first round, trading the fifth overall pick to Minnesota and getting in return veteran forward Mike Miller and combo guard Randy Foye.

“We’re excited about what we did,” president of…

Updated odds to win 2010 championship following Draft, trades (Yahoo! Sports)
Bodog's odds to win the 2009-10 NBA Championship have been reassessed and posted following last week's…

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

VIDEO: Jackson talks about health, Artest

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Jackson says he’ll return to coach Lakers
Phil Jackson is returning to coach the Los Angeles Lakers next season. Jackson announced his decision Friday on the team’s Web site. He said he consulted the team doctor about his health before deciding. The Hall of Fame coach turns 64 in September. Jackson led the Lakers to their 15th NBA championship and his record 10th title in June. He says he’s confident he can handle another long season. “All things point to go!” he says.

Lakers hero Ariza had meteoric rise
Trevor Ariza is a Laker playoff hero, which, paradoxically, is why he’s apparently about to become an ex-Laker, Kevin Hench says.

Wizards Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Despite sporting the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards did not go into the draft thinking they needed to rebuild.

Because players like Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood lost virtually their entire seasons to injuries, the front office believes that the team will more closely resemble the one that made four consecutive playoff runs when training camp resumes rather than the atrocity that masqueraded as a professional basketball team in the 2008-09 season, so the plan was to retool rather than rebuild.

With that mindset, the Wizards dealt their way out of the first round, trading the fifth overall pick to Minnesota and getting in return veteran forward Mike Miller and combo guard Randy Foye.

“We’re excited about what we did,” president of…

Answering your NBA questions: Greatest ever?
Kobe’s 4th title gets him closer to Jordan’s 6, but where does he stand in the best-ever discussion? Charley Rosen has an answer.

Shaq reveals new motto: ‘Win a ring for the King’
Shaquille O’Neal has joined his Cleveland teammates - and says he can help them win a title. Acquired in a trade last week with the Phoenix Suns, O’Neal was introduced Thursday as a Cavalier before cheering young fans at the team’s suburban practice facility. The Cavaliers are hoping that the 15-time All-Star can help league MVP LeBron James and Cleveland win its first NBA championship. How long will O’Neal will stay with the Cavaliers is still a question.

Updated odds to win 2010 championship following Draft, trades (Yahoo! Sports)
Bodog's odds to win the 2009-10 NBA Championship have been reassessed and posted following last week's…

Philadelphia 76ers announce assistant coaches

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that Head Coach Eddie Jordan has named Mike O’Koren as Associate Head Coach and will retain Jim Lynam and Aaron McKie as assistant coaches for the upcoming season.

Hill: Top 10 NBA free agents
While it pales next to the 2010 class everyone’s awaiting, this year’s free-agent crop has some talent. Randy Hill lists the 10 best.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Report: Pistons OK deals with Gordon, Villanueva
A person tells The Associated Press that Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon is in talks with the Detroit Pistons about joining the team. Pistons spokesman Kevin Grigg declined comment on Gordon’s situation Wednesday, saying there’s an NBA moratorium on discussing free-agent matters. But a person close to the talks says Gordon was in Michigan on Wednesday.

Artest, Lakers reach verbal agreement
Ron Artest is joining Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Agent: Artest to join Kobe, Lakers
Ron Artest will be joining forces with Kobe Bryant. The free agent forward plans to sign with the Lakers, his agent says.

O’Koren joins Sixers’ staff; Lynam, McKie remain

New Sixers coach Eddie Jordan is bringing Mike O’Koren with him. The team announced O’Koren’s hiring as associate head coach Wednesday.

Philadelphia 76ers announce assistant coaches

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that Head Coach Eddie Jordan has named Mike O’Koren as Associate Head Coach and will retain Jim Lynam and Aaron McKie as assistant coaches for the upcoming season.

Philadelphia 76ers announce assistant coaches

The Philadelphia 76ers announced today that Head Coach Eddie Jordan has named Mike O’Koren as Associate Head Coach and will retain Jim Lynam and Aaron McKie as assistant coaches for the upcoming season.

Wizards Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Despite sporting the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards did not go into the draft thinking they needed to rebuild.

Because players like Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood lost virtually their entire seasons to injuries, the front office believes that the team will more closely resemble the one that made four consecutive playoff runs when training camp resumes rather than the atrocity that masqueraded as a professional basketball team in the 2008-09 season, so the plan was to retool rather than rebuild.

With that mindset, the Wizards dealt their way out of the first round, trading the fifth overall pick to Minnesota and getting in return veteran forward Mike Miller and combo guard Randy Foye.

“We’re excited about what we did,” president of…

Wizards won’t be buyers at start

Wednesday signals the beginning of the NBA’s free agency period, and although teams are free to begin courting and negotiating with players, don’t expect the Washington Wizards to spring into action.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

Top 10 NBA free agents
While it pales next to the 2010 class everyone’s awaiting, this year’s free-agent crop has some talent. Randy Hill lists the 10 best.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

NBA free agents: 2009 class (Yahoo! Sports)
Team-by-team list of NBA free agents.

VIDEO: Hill: Pistons’ real problem

Pistons fire Curry as coach after just one season
All or nothing seems to be the formula for coaching the Detroit Pistons. Bring home an NBA championship or hit the road.

Wizards Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Despite sporting the worst record in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards did not go into the draft thinking they needed to rebuild.

Because players like Gilbert Arenas and Brendan Haywood lost virtually their entire seasons to injuries, the front office believes that the team will more closely resemble the one that made four consecutive playoff runs when training camp resumes rather than the atrocity that masqueraded as a professional basketball team in the 2008-09 season, so the plan was to retool rather than rebuild.

With that mindset, the Wizards dealt their way out of the first round, trading the fifth overall pick to Minnesota and getting in return veteran forward Mike Miller and combo guard Randy Foye.

“We’re excited about what we did,” president of…

VIDEO: Hill: Pistons’ real problem
Drafting Darko. Trading for Iverson. And now quickly firing Michael Curry. Maybe Joe Dumars is Detroit’s problem, Randy Hill says.

Boozer, Okur rebuff free agency to stay with Jazz
Carlos Boozer is staying with the Utah Jazz. Boozer told the Jazz on Tuesday that he would return to the team instead of opting out of the final year of his contract and becoming a free agent. He is scheduled to make $12.7 million next season, his sixth with the Jazz. Tuesday was the deadline for players to exercise contract options. The Jazz were still waiting for a decision from center Mehmet Okur, who also has one year remaining on his contract.