Olowokandi begins exodus (Jerome No-show and Pistacio are off the market!)

["Stephen Beauregard" <sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Olowokandi begins exodus

Clippers brace for departures

By Associated Press, 7/17/2003

he Los Angeles Clippers lost center Michael Olowokandi yesterday when he
signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves, and more of the team's best players
may shortly be departing with him.



Three restricted free agents -- forward Elton Brand, point guard Andre Miller,
and shooting guard Corey Maggette -- signed offer sheets yesterday. The
Clippers have 15 days to match the offers.

Miller signed a six-year offer sheet with the Denver Nuggets totalling more
than $51 million, according to his agent, Lon Babby. The Jazz offered Maggette
a six-year deal; salary terms were not disclosed.

The 7-foot, 270-pound Olowokandi, the first pick by the Clippers in 1998,
reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $16.2 million.

The Clippers stand to lose at least half their roster if they choose not to
re-sign any of their free agents. In addition to Miller, Maggette, Brand, and
Olowokandi, Lamar Odom, Sean Rooks, and Eric Piatkowski are also free agents.

Clippers executive vice president Andy Roeser said the team will evaluate the
offer sheets before making a decision.

''As we have repeatedly said, it is our intention to match any and all offers
as we see fit, with a goal of maintaining the nucleus of our team,'' Roeser
said.

The Clippers had previously offered Brand an extension worth more than $60
million. The Heat did not disclose terms of the offer sheet, but it is
believed to be a six-year deal worth $84.2 million.

''This organization has always been committed to winning,'' Heat coach Pat
Riley said in a statement. ''This offer sheet for Elton Brand is a continuance
of that commitment to try to win and put the best possible players on the
floor for our fans to enjoy.''

Brand has averaged 19.2 points and 10.7 rebounds per game in his four NBA
seasons.

Duncan resigns Tim Duncan signed a long-term deal to remain with the NBA
champion San Antonio Spurs.

Duncan reportedly received a $122 million, seven-year deal -- the largest
allowed under the NBA's collective bargaining agreement. Spurs general manager
R.C. Buford declined to confirm details of the contract.

Duncan didn't attend the news conference and wasn't available for comment.

Duncan became a free agent when he decided June 30 not to exercise a player
option in his contract for 2003-04, but never considered leaving the Spurs.

Howard joins Magic The Orlando Magic signed forward Juwan Howard, hoping they
have found a second scoring option behind Tracy McGrady. Howard, a nine-year
veteran, has averaged 17.9 points and 7.5 rebounds in 649 career games with
Washington, Dallas, and Denver. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the
five-year contract has been reported to be worth between $28 million and $38
million . . . The Indiana Pacers signed forward Jermaine O'Neal, one of the
league's premier free agents this summer, to a seven-year contract. The
contract is for the maximum allowed under the league's salary cap, which would
make O'Neal's deal worth about $120 million . . . Forward Kenny Thomas signed
a seven-year contract reportedly worth more than $40 million to remain with
the 76ers . . . Free agent center Alonzo Mourning signed a multiyear contract
with the New Jersey Nets, believed to be worth $22 million over four years.
Mourning sat out the 2002-03 season because of a kidney ailment . . . The
Toronto Raptors signed two former Celtics -- forward Jerome Moiso and guard
Milt Palacio -- to two-year deals.

Thanks,

Steve
sb@xxxxxxxxxxxx

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