 Contract Signing WiretapCleveland matches offer, Davis remains a CavMinneapolis Star Tribune writer Steve Aschburner reports that the Timberwolves have missed out on acquiring shooting guard Ricky Davis after the Cleveland Cavaliers decided to match the Wolves offer. Davis, a restricted free agent, had signed an offer sheet with the Minnesota Timberwolves. His restricted free agency status gave the Cavaliers the right of first refusal, meaning that they had the opportunity to match any offer that Davis was formally given and the player would remain with the team. Cleveland General Manager Jim Paxson had until Sept. 4 to make a decision but opted to match the deal one day after receiving formal notice of the Minnesota offer. "If you go with that [today], you won't be wrong," Paxson told a Willoughby News-Herald reporter Tuesday evening. A formal announcement is expected today." Both Davis and his agent Dan Fegan urged the Cavaliers to let him move on without intervention, but to their anger their pleas fell on deaf ears. Fegan stressed that his client preferred to be in Minnesota and it would be bad business to lock up an unhappy Davis long term. "You don't want to pay $34 million over six years for a player who wants to be somewhere else," Fegan had said Tuesday afternoon. "That's a crazy way to run a business." The article reports that the Cavaliers did not want to lose Davis without compensation and had held discussions about potential sign and trade deals with both Denver and Minnesota. Once Davis signed the offer sheet this option was exhaused, and now Davis cannot be traded until December 15 at the earliest but not to Minnesota for a minimum of 12 months. Asked if he would be reluctant to commit $34 million to a player who wanted out, Kevin McHale, the Timberwolves Vice President, said: "It would be something I'd have to think about. I'm kind of close to the deal, so it's hard to be objective. Ricky's got some issues in going back there, some things he's got concerns about." Minnesota now regains their mid-level exception which would have been used should the matching deadline have passed. Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Contract Signing Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Sonics pick up option on DesmondThe Seattle SuperSonics today exercised their option on high flying guard Desmond Mason, the team's offical website is reporting. Mason is now under contract through the 2003-04 season after which time the Sonics will hold the right of first refusal on any contract offers made by opposition teams. "Due to the collective bargaining agreement, we knew we had until Oct. 31 to exercise our option on Desmond. We wanted to do it before training camp," said Sund. "Desmond is a big part of our future and we are extremely pleased to have him under contract for the next two years." "I'm glad the Sonics are providing me the opportunity to continue my career in Seattle," said Mason. "It's a great city, with great fans and great team ownership. I really enjoy playing for Coach McMillan. I like his philosophy and the direction our team is going. I hope this extension is the beginning of a long career in Seattle." "We're excited to have Desmond on the team for the next two seasons," said Sonics Head Coach Nate McMillan. "He's a young player who has shown tremendous potential and versatility." Oklahoma City, Contract Signing Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Bibby re-signs for 80 millionMartin McNeal of the Sacramento Bee reports: On Thursday, Mike Bibby agreed to a new seven-year, $80 million contract with the Sacramento KIngs. "I'm happy," Bibby said Thursday night from Las Vegas before a late dinner. "I figured something would happen in that meeting. I'm glad to be back in Sac." The Kings will announce the signing today at a news conference in Las Vegas. It is the team's second news conference in three days after signing free-agent forward Keon Clark on Wednesday. Sacramento Kings, Contract Signing Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Aug 2002 Archive
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