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A person with knowledge of the negotiations says the Celtics are making progress on a deal that would bring Shaquille O’Neal to Boston.
The person spoke with The Association Press on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final.
Earlier Tuesday, the four-time NBA champion said he will be in the league next season and would rather retire than play internationally. (more…)
The Los Angeles Lakers added depth to their frontcourt on Thursday by signing veteran center Theo Ratliff.
The Los Angeles Times reports it’s a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum of $1.35 million.
The 37-year-old Ratliff, entering his 16th NBA season, averaged 5.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in 28 games for the Charlotte Bobcats last season. He started the season with San Antonio and averaged 1.6 points and 1.9 boards in 21 contests with the Spurs.
“I’ve had a long and very rewarding career, and joining a storied and legendary franchise such as the Lakers adds an even more special element,” Ratliff said. (more…)
The Chicago Blackhawks made a blockbuster trade with the Thrashers on Wednesday, the Stanley Cup champions moving Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Brent Sopel and a prospect to Atlanta for a first-round pick, a second-round pick, prospect Jeremy Morin and veteran forward Marty Reasoner, a source told ESPN.com.
The first- and second-round picks that Chicago gets in the deal were acquired by Atlanta in the trade that sent Ilya Kovalchuk to New Jersey last February.
The prospect Atlanta is getting from Chicago is Akim Aliu.
The Blackhawks have not confirmed the trade. The trade was being delayed Wednesday night because it would move the Thrashers above the accepted limit of 50 player contracts, a league source told ESPN.com. Until Atlanta moved other contracts to get under the limit, the trade can’t go through. But it is expected to happen.
“It is what it is,” Byfuglien said on “The Afternoon Saloon” on ESPN 1000. “It’s part of the job. You’re not going to stick in one spot the whole time so I’ve got to go.”
After winning their first Stanley Cup since 1961, the Blackhawks were in dire need of shedding salary as new contract extensions for Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane (five years, $31.5 million each) and Duncan Keith (13 years, $72 million) next season put them in a major salary-cap crunch. (more…)