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 ometime, Thursday at the earliest, the last lawyer will initial the last clause on the NBA's new contract, setting the stage for the opening of camps--and the wildest bazaar the league has seen.
Almost 200 free agents will be wooed, signed, picked over and/or rejected in the next few weeks, and most of the stars should move in the next few days, or hours.
"I think a lot of people are going to put offers on the table," says Laker Vice President Jerry West, "and if they're not accepted, they're going to go to Step 2."
West isn't disclosing his steps but the Lakers were thought to be pursuing the Minnesota Timberwolves' Tom Gugliotta and the Chicago Bulls' Scottie Pippen, in that order. Both were considered long shots until Monday, when Pippen fell completely off the board.
Several Chicago outlets reported that the Bulls, having failed to make a deal with the Lakers, Pippen's first choice, reached an agreement with the Rockets, sending him to Houston for draft picks.
According to sources, Chicago General Manager Jerry Krause last week asked West for Eddie Jones or Kobe Bryant plus Elden Campbell, Tony Battie and two No. 1 picks.
After West said no, in terms that must have been easy to understand and may have been memorable, Bull owner Jerry Reinsdorf told Krause to drop his price: If the Lakers would give up Jones, they could have Pippen.
However, West wasn't keen on trading the healthy, 27-year-old Jones for the 33-year-old Pippen, who hasn't been seen on a basketball court since undergoing back surgery last summer.
West has one other big deal still working, even if its heartbeat is getting faint. He has reportedly offered Minnesota a package that includes Jones and Campbell for one that includes Gugliotta and ex-Laker Anthony Peeler.
Minnesota General Manager Kevin McHale is saying no, insisting he can re-sign Gugliotta.
Until Commissioner David Stern bangs the gavel to open this auction, the situation will remain fluid.
Here's how the action around the top guys looks:
Gugliotta--Age (29 to Pippen's 33) and all-around game make him the hottest free agent. The Lakers want to trade for him. Minnesota wants to keep him. If he goes onto the market, Phoenix and Denver will also be interested.
Pippen--Going to Houston for a last hurrah with Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley.
Barkley--He will stay in Houston and play for the $1 million exception to make room for Pippen, collecting his reward, $14 million, in 2000-01.
Kevin Johnson--Has to choose between coming off the bench for $1.75 million for the Lakers, starting for $4 million for the Clippers or going to the Knicks. The Lakers, who had wanted an answer by now, are looking for other veterans to back up Derek Fisher.
Derek Harper--West is interested but Harper seems to be leaning toward Indiana.
Antonio McDyess--You knew something was up when he dumped Arn Tellem, hired Nick Van Exel's agent, Tony Dutt, then moved to Houston and built a home near Van Exel's. Lots of speculation that McDyess will return to Denver. Nugget assistant coach John Lucas, another Houston resident, supposedly played a big role in this. Phoenix remains interested in McDyess, a monster talent but still an awfully raw player to give $11.2 million.
Latrell Sprewell--He is expected to be traded momentarily. Miami is understood to be the high bidder, offering Jamal Mashburn, Brent Barry and Dan Majerle for Sprewell, Clarence Weatherspoon and Bimbo Coles. But the Knicks and the Cavaliers are still in there bidding too.
Jayson Williams--Agreed to terms with the Nets.
Derrick Coleman--Agreed to terms with the Hornets. Imagine him opposite just-as-grumpy Anthony Mason and Glen Rice, whose agent, David Falk, is feuding with Charlotte management.
Luc Longley--Agreed to terms with the Suns.
Matt Geiger--Agreed to terms with the 76ers.
Ike Austin--He's close to terms with the Magic, contingent on a deal sending Johnny Taylor and rookie Keon Clark to Denver for the Nuggets' No. 1 pick.
Rik Smits--Staying in Indiana. His feet hurt and if they opened camp today, he might have to go on the injured list. Same old Dutch Boy.
Vlade Divac--No deals yet. Agent Marc Fleisher turned everyone off, asking $10 million a year. Divac wants to come west but will have to take a lot less from Sacramento, the one team out here that wants him.
Damon Stoudamire--Will re-sign in Portland.
Arvydas Sabonis--Ditto.
Rod Strickland--The Washington Wizards want to keep him but Falk is doing one of his numbers on them, demanding $12.5 million a year, or else. "It's like with Juwan \[Howard, whom Falk tried to sign with Miami\]," said the agent. "It's their game to lose. I hope they learned from what happened with Juwan."
Steve Kerr--Agreed to terms with the Spurs.
Sam Perkins--He wanted to retire but found out how much demand there is for smart big men, even old, creaky ones. The Jazz and Pacers are fighting it out to sign him. His old coach, Milwaukee's George Karl, wants him, too.
Corliss Williamson--The Kings want to re-sign the promising young forward.
Michael Stewart--Undrafted a year ago, the 6-10 Sacramento shot blocker is attracting some interest.
Sherman Douglas--If the Clippers don't get Kevin Johnson, new Clipper Coach Chris Ford, who had Douglas in Boston and Milwaukee, may bring him here, too.
Christian Laettner--The Pistons want him. The question is, why?
Joe Smith--He once turned down $80 million from the Warriors. The 76ers will keep him if he'll take a lot less.
Jerry Stackhouse--Just as hyped, with an opinion of himself just as inflated as Smith's. The Pistons will keep him too, if he comes in with a reasonable number.
Alan Henderson--The Hawks plan to re-sign him.
Travis Knight--He may be coming back to the Lakers, in a trade from Boston for Tony Battie.
Dennis Rodman--Not a name you hear much these days. He's finished in Chicago. The Knicks may be interested, even though Dave Checketts insisted a few years ago he would never stoop to that level. Anyone else need a rebounder-circus act? dispute, it looks as if Scottie Pippen will be wearing a Rocket uniform soon.
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