by FOXSports.com

According to several league sources, the Cavs are attempting to land Houston Rockets free-agent forward Ron Artest, and the pitch included a meeting with LeBron James on Tuesday night in Los Angeles as both were in Southern California for various events.-- Cleveland Plain Dealer .....Ben's Take: Artest should go to Cleveland if he wants to win. The Rockets aren't winning a package of pickles anytime soon.

Sources: Raptors after Knicks' David Lee

Capping a whirlwind 24 hours to open the negotiating period, league sources say Toronto is trying to obtain David Lee, an energetic rebounder who is a New York Knicks restricted free agent. The sources couldn't say whether the move on Lee would be a straight offer or whether it would be a sign-and-trade transaction with any of Toronto's current free agents. -- Toronto Star .....Ben's Take: David Lee will end up haunting the Knicks should they let him leave.

Trevor Ariza to Blazers, Rockets, Cavs, Raps or Clips?

Trevor Ariza is drawing interest from Portland, Houston, Cleveland, Toronto and the Clippers. Of those teams, only Portland and Toronto have enough salary-cap room to offer more than the Lakers' current offer, though the Trail Blazers and Raptors are reportedly in pursuit of Orlando forward Hedo Turkoglu. Said Ariza: "It's business. I understand what they are trying to do and I understand that I have to do what is best for me. I'm really not worried. It will work itself out." -- LA Times .....Ben's Take: Ariza was solid last year as the Lakers' fourth-best player. Let's not forget that!

Hornets shopping Tyson Chandler again?

Hornets GM Jeff Bower could be working on a trade before any contract offer is extended to a free agent. Multiple league sources said last week the Hornets have been shopping starting center Tyson Chandler. In addition, New Orleans could be interested in moving one of their veteran guards -- Morris Peterson, Antonio Daniels or Devin Brown -- in a trade. -- New Orleans Times-Picayune .....Ben's Take: How many times can Chandler be traded before he's actually really traded?

Celtics to court Rasheed Wallace

Danny Ainge kicked off free agency yesterday by targeting a player who reportedly is going to be very receptive to Celtics overtures - former Pistons center Rasheed Wallace. "We hope to meet with him soon," Ainge, the Celtics general manager, said last night, debunking an Internet report that team management already had met with Wallace on Tuesday night. Wallace, who also is expected to receive pitches from San Antonio and Cleveland, can expect a heavy recruiting effort from several members of the C's organization. -- Boston Herald .....Ben's Take: My buddies over on WEEI will have a field day with Rasheed. They'd have to give him his own slot on the Dennis & Callahan morning show.

Nate Robinson to Lakers or Magic?

Knicks guard Nate Robinson is being pursued by at least five teams, including the two defending conference champions, the Lakers and Magic. -- NY Times .....Ben's Take: Nate would be a GREAT pickup for the Lakers.

Celts free agent Glen Davis: Couple teams interested

Glen Davis' first free agent experience appears to be off to an expedient start. The Celtics forward's agent, John Hamilton, received what he termed "a couple" of calls from potential suitors after midnight Tuesday. "Things are generally slow for restricted free agents, but I was pleased to have a couple of them call," said Hamilton, who declined to name the teams. "I guess some teams have identified him." Now that the Celtics have made their qualifying offer to Davis, all general manager Danny Ainge can do is sit back and watch the market develop. With matching rights on the young forward, Ainge now gets to see what the market will bear. It could be a lot. "Right now, Glen will be out there testing the market, and we'll see what the market dictates," said Ainge. -- Boston Herald

Turkoglu to Blazers or Raptors?

The Raptors seem to have pulled back on a decision to take a run at Orlando's Hedo Turkoglu, who now seems a good bet to land in Portland. Still, two NBA sources said yesterday they thought Turkoglu was more interested in landing in Toronto than the Pacific Northwest. A report yesterday afternoon that Toronto was planning some exorbitant $60 million offer, however, was debunked by a handful of sources. It would take Toronto renouncing the rights to Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino and others to get a Turkoglu deal done and one league source said a deal with Delfino was "close." But the Blazers are hot after the 6-foot-10 Turkoglu, dispatching coach Nate McMillan to meet with Turkoglu yesterday and planning to fly the player and his agent to Portland today. -- Toronto Star

Source: Sixers, Miller won't reach deal soon

Whatever is destined to happen in negotiations between the 76ers and free-agent point guard Andre Miller, one aspect came clearly into focus yesterday: It won't be quick. That was the sense of a source familiar with the discussion between Sixers president/general manager Ed Stefanski and Andre Miller's agent, Andy Miller, on the first day of the NBA's free-agency period. Stefanski is not free to comment publicly until July 8, the first day deals can be finalized. With that in mind, available information is sketchy, but here's what the Daily News has gleaned so far: Andy Miller, in a best-case scenario, would like a contract of 3 or 4 years, probably starting at a figure similar to the $10.3 million Andre Miller earned in 2008-09. -- Philadelphia Daily News .....Ben's Take: Despite what they are saying publicly, the Blazers are very much interested in Andre Miller.

Suns pursuing McDyess

Suns General Manager Steve Kerr spent a few hours at Grant Hill's Orlando house Wednesday to begin re-recruiting him, and team personnel put in calls to free-agent big men Antonio McDyess, Channing Frye, Sean May, Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox. Nobody can attest to the interest or the sales pitch better than McDyess or Hill. Beyond using some of the mid-level exception for Hill, the Suns will bank on their system, city, point guard Steve Nash and winning history to lure others with minimum contracts and maybe the biennial exception. -- Arizona Republic

Lakers could turn to Artest

If Trevor Ariza goes elsewhere, the Lakers could make a push for Houston free-agent forward Ron Artest, who was all but signed, sealed and delivered to the Lakers according to some Twitter dispatches and Facebook pages that cropped up Wednesday night under Artest's name. They were all phony, though. "I've been made aware that there's some fraudulent impostors using Twitter and Facebook, but he's not agreed to terms with anyone," said Artest's agent, David Bauman. "Nor has he turned down anybody." -- LA Times

Nuggets want Birdman back in Denver

After the first official day of free-agent negotiations, there is optimism that the Nuggets will be able to sign unrestricted free agent Chris Andersen. "I think it's fair to say that both sides are motivated," Nuggets director of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said Wednesday afternoon. "That's why we're in L.A. and meeting today." Warkentien is currently in Los Angeles meeting with Andersen's representatives, notably Denver-based attorney Mark Bryant and agent Steve Heumann of the L.A.-based Creative Arts Agency. Bryant said the goal is to try to get Andersen a five-year deal around the mid-level exception (in the $5 million range annually). -- Denver Post .....Ben's Take: Wonder if Birdman hangs out at those tattoo parlors on Venice Beach... He must be an idol for those guys and gals.

Iverson to Heat?

Would Allen Iverson or Grant Hill as an opposite wing scorer at $3 million this season and an option at $3.4 million next be worth the one-year tax hit if it improves the Heat with Wade in his prime? Absolutely. -- Miami Herald

Former Clipper draws interest from Mavericks

The Mavericks started this year's free-agent season by making a strong pitch to Quinton Ross, the former SMU and Kimball High School standout. Ross has been in the league for five years, the first four with the Los Angeles Clippers and last season with the Memphis Grizzlies. The 6-6 guard has been a part-time starter throughout most of his career. -- Dallas Morning News

Jazz plan to re-sign Millsap

Even if Oklahoma City and Millsap agreed to terms, the Thunder would face likely competition from the Jazz -- who've vowed to match any offer sheet the 2006 second-round draft choice signs with another team. With starting power forward Boozer, starting center Mehmet Okur and backup shooting guard Kyle Korver all deciding earlier this week to remain with the Jazz for at least one more season, however, there could be a cap to Utah's commitment to match. One NBA agent said the Jazz will match unless Millsap's deal is "crazy money." Asked if a contract starting at $10 million per season is just that, the agent dubbed it "borderline crazy." -- Deseret News

Thunder interested in Orlando free agent center Marcin Gortat

Add Marcin Gortat to Oklahoma City's free-agent wish list. The Thunder has expressed legitimate interest in Orlando's reserve center, making the restricted free agent one of a handful of players the team targeted as soon as free agency began late Tuesday night. -- Oklahoman

John Salmons will replace Ben Gordon for Bulls

The Bulls, opting to be reactive rather than proactive, didn't call, content to use the assets acquired at February's trade deadline. John Salmons will slide into Ben Gordon's shooting guard spot, forming a backcourt rotation with Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich. And the Bulls own roughly $25 million of expiring contracts for the stellar 2010 free-agent class. -- Chicago Tribune

Lamar Odom wants $10 million a year

Lamar Odom, 29, is believed to be seeking $10 million a year, though it was unclear what the Lakers offered him. -- LA Times

Mavs want Rasheed

One of them may be Rasheed Wallace, the 6-11 center who was in Dallas this week. His presence was purely coincidental, although Wallace is on the Mavericks' wish list of free agents. -- Dallas Morning News

Hornets reach out to Jannero Pargo

Although Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower initially said addressing the team's frontcourt depth was a priority in free agency, one of the first calls he made after midnight Wednesday morning was to guard Jannero Pargo's agent, Mark Bartelstein. Teams could begin negotiating with free agents at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, but players cannot sign contracts until July 8. "I talked with Jeff, and they remain interested in Jannero," Bartelstein said. "But he said they still have things to work out with their roster." -- New Orleans Times-Picayune

Rockets perfect fit for Marcin Gortat?

Marcin Gortat told the Rockets he wanted playing time and to be part of a winning team. Welcome to the intersection of opportunity and availability. Now, if his agent will stop yapping about money long enough to let the young man sign the contract Daryl Morey offered, the Rockets will have taken a step in the right direction. "We really believe in this kid," a member of the Rockets' brain trust said. "We see him as a draft pick." -- Houston Chronicle

Bucks GM Hammond shows he wants to keep Sessions

Milwaukee Bucks general manager John Hammond reached out with a phone call to point guard Ramon Sessions immediately when the free agency period opened late Tuesday night. It appears the Bucks are seriously interested in retaining Sessions, although Hammond did not reveal if he made a multiyear offer in excess of the $1 million qualifying offer made earlier by the team. Free agents are now eligible to negotiate with National Basketball Association teams but cannot sign contracts until Wednesday. The 6-foot-3 Sessions is a restricted free agent, and the Bucks will have the right to match offers made by other teams. He appeared in 79 games last season and averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 assists. The Bucks now have first-round draft pick Brandon Jennings and veteran Luke Ridnour at the point guard spot, in addition to Sessions. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Source: Nuggets want Grant Hill

An NBA source said the Nuggets are interested in Phoenix veteran Grant Hill, who could be a steal at around $3 million a year, though there are other teams interested in the former all-star. -- Denver Post

David Lee could get lower salary from Knicks

The only other teams with substantial cap space, Portland and Oklahoma City, have indicated little interest in David Lee and are focusing on other free agents. The Knicks would like to keep Lee for about $7 million to $8 million per year. They will probably ask Lee to structure the deal with a lower salary in 2010-11, in order to maintain the flexibility to chase a superstar or two. -- NY Times

76ers' GM focuses on Andre Miller situation

The main priority for Sixers GM Ed Stefanski is to resolve the case of point guard Andre Miller, the 33-year-old, 10-year pro who has started since coming to the Sixers in the 2006 trade that sent Allen Iverson to the Denver Nuggets. To that end, Stefanski spoke with Miller's agent, Andy Miller, yesterday morning. "I cannot discuss any negotiations during the period of July 1 through July 8," Stefanski said when reached yesterday afternoon. -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Cavs eye Lakers Ariza?

In addition, a league source indicated the Cavs are trying to attract Los Angeles Lakers swingman Trevor Ariza, who appears to be disgruntled with the Lakers' early attempts to re-sign him. -- Cleveland Plain Dealer

Nuggets Kleiza waiting

Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza said he's in a "waiting" mode at the start of free agency. Kleiza, a restricted free agent, worked out a couple weeks in Denver, even showing up to pickup basketball with the DU men's basketball team before spending recent days in New York. He traveled to his home country, Lithuania, on Wednesday. -- Denver Post

Clips owner was against Zach Randolph trade

In a surprise, the Clippers didn't do it to dump salary. Owner Donald T. Sterling actually resisted the Zach Randolph move when a similar deal with Memphis came up on draft day, saying he wanted to do it only if it was a "basketball decision." When his people said it was a basketball decision, the deal was resurrected. -- LA Times

Sixers struggling to trade Samuel Dalembert

There is no reason to believe the Sixers have serious suitors for center Samuel Dalembert. With Elton Brand and Jason Smith returning from injuries and Marreese Speights entering his second season, the Sixers would be more than interested in shedding the 2 remaining years of Dalembert's contract. Dalembert has $12,125,694 and $13,012,823 remaining, plus a trade kicker that is worth about $3.8 million, about $300,000 more than what has previously been speculated. -- Philadelphia Daily News

Knicks want washed up stars Grant Hill, Jason Kidd

On the first day of free agency, Knicks officials met with Jason Kidd and reached out to Grant Hill, two aging stars who still have enough ability and clout to restore some pride to Madison Square Garden. Landing either player is a long shot, but it demonstrates an aggressive agenda by Donnie Walsh, the team president, and Coach Mike D'Antoni as they try to resuscitate the franchise. They also made contact with the restricted free agents David Lee and Nate Robinson, two young building blocks from the previous administration, who may yet figure into a brighter future. -- NY Times

Nets waiting on Channing Frye, Drew Gooden?

Like every team, the Nets made their initial free agent inquiries Wednesday -- roughly a dozen in all -- but they're not likely to make any bids until they can formulate a sign-and-trade scenario, vacate a roster spot, or wait to see whether any of the second-tier forwards (Linas Kleiza, Matt Barnes, Chris Wilcox, Drew Gooden, Channing Frye, Hakim Warrick) begin scrounging for one-year exception money. -- Newark Star-Ledger

Celts say goodbye to Leon Powe

The Celtics, strapped for roster space as they delve into the free agent market, have decided to part ways with Powe. That, at least, was the impression given the Celtics forward following a conversation with Danny Ainge on Tuesday. Powe, recovering from his third knee surgery, did not receive a qualifying offer from the Celtics by the Tuesday night deadline. As a result, Powe became an unrestricted free agent. Five teams reportedly called with interest in the power forward after midnight, including Miami, Memphis and Orlando. "Of course I was disappointed, because I want to come back," he said yesterday. "I love the fans. It was just a wonderful place to play." -- Boston Herald

Rafer Alston a student of Nets history

This could be a first: A New Jersey Net who knows the team's heritage and its successes. A guy who knew they had a history -- such as it was -- long before Jason Kidd showed up. A player who "can't wait to put that uniform on," as Rafer Alston proclaimed. Some kind of joke? "Some of my favorite players played for this organization," the Queens native said Wednesday, after passing a physical that officially made him a member of the Nets. "You had Pearl Washington, Kenny Anderson. You name it -- Albert King, Darwin Cook. I was born in '76, so I watched all that stuff -- I was seven, eight, and they were rocking and rolling." -- Newark Star-Ledger

Yi Jianlian hanging around Nets facility

Yi Jianlian was also in the Nets practice facility Wednesday, but he'll be around for only another week or so. He'll soon head back for China to join the national team and play in the Asian Games in August. -- Newark Star-Ledger

Celts take a look at Sweetney

Of the players announced by the Celtics for their summer league team, one of the more interesting is four-year NBA veteran Michael Sweetney. The former Georgetown forward was a first-round pick (No. 9 overall) by New York in 2003 - the same draft that produced LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh - and was out of the league four years later due to weight issues. He played his last two seasons with the Bulls after being traded with Tim Thomas , Jermaine Jackson and three draft picks for Eddy Curry and Antonio Davis - a notorious deal that didn't do much for either side. -- Boston Herald

Rockets won't turn to Dorsey to fill for Yao

The Rockets are not close to considering Joey Dorsey an option to fill in while Yao is out. He has to show he can merit playing time at all first. But the uncertainty over Yao's injury, news Dorsey called "devastating," has seemed to increase his sense of urgency. -- Houston Chronicle

Knicks suck up to Jason Kidd

The Knicks' presentation to Jason Kidd included a video, a jersey with his name and number, a preview of the Garden's renovation and many references to Walt Frazier and Willis Reed.-- NY Times

New Orleans interested in Mikki Moore?

The Hornets inquired about free-agent frontcourt players Mikki Moore, Maceo Baston and Jake Voskuhl. -- New Orleans Times-Picayune

NBA bust Adam Morrison playing for Lakers summer-league team

Adam Morrison will play for the Lakers' summer-league team, which begins its five-game schedule July 10 in Las Vegas. Morrison totaled only 10 points in eight games with the Lakers after being acquired in February. Next season will be his fourth in the NBA. -- LA Times

Agent: Ron Artest's victim of Twitter imposter

While the Rockets made their pursuit of a center their initial free agent priority, there was a brief, but alarming sign that Ron Artest was ready to move on. It was a false alarm. A message attributed to Artest -- "THANKS A LOT HOUSTON :) I HAD A LOT OF FUN." -- appeared on Twitter late Wednesday. Artest's agent, David Bauman, said that the message was sent by an imposter. "That is not Ron's account," Bauman said. "That's what happens with the so-called new media." -- Houston Chronicle

NBA dumps golden arches, makes run for the boarder

The National Basketball Association has signed a four-year deal with Taco Bell, which will replace McDonald's as the organization's official fast food sponsor, according to sources. The NBA is set to announce the deal as early as tomorrow. The multi-year partnership includes advertising rights across the NBA's All Star Saturday Night Skills Challenge, held in February, as well as the Jam Session at its All-Star Game Fan Fest. -- Brand Week

D-Wade: Excited, nervous meeting President Obama

Dwyane Wade met President Barack Obama last week at the White House. "I was excited," Wade said. "It wasn't for winning a championship. It was to be a part of the National Father's Day venture that they have going on. We go out and talk to kids about, you know, fatherhood. But meeting the president was awesome. I mean, he's so laid-back, he's so cool. That was probably the most excited and most nervous to meet another human being that I have ever been. "It is great to have the president be a huge fan of our sport." -- Chicago Tribune

Knicks' Curry says ex-agent mishandled his money

Eddy Curry shed new light on his financial problems Wednesday when he sued his former agent, accusing him of mishandling his money. In the lawsuit, Curry, the beleaguered Knicks center, accused the agent Lamont Carter of withholding years of bookkeeping records and demanded that Carter produce the documents. The dispute could explain why Curry, who has earned $34 million since 2005, has been sued multiple times for failing to pay his bills. Carter served as Curry's agent and business manager for three and a half years, until Curry terminated the relationship last December. According to the suit, which was filed in Cook County Circuit Court in Chicago, Carter "has failed, neglected and refused" to account for "all money received by him and paid out by him" from May 2005 through December 2008. -- NY Times

Cavs and Lakers no co-favorites for NBA Championship

Odds to win 2010 NBA Championship

Cleveland Cavaliers 9/4

Los Angeles Lakers 9/4

Boston Celtics 5/1

Orlando Magic 6/1

San Antonio Spurs 11/1 -- Bodog

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