Clark ticketed for drug possession

The (AP) reports: Former Toronto Raptor Keon Clark will appear Aug. 22 in an Illinois court after being cited for marijuana possession. Clark, 27, was ticketed at 10:50 p.m. on Sunday for having about a gram of marijuana in his car, City Attorney David Wesner said. The NBA free agent was not arrested.

If found guilty, Clark could be fined $250 to $1,500.

Wesner said Clark was cited about two years ago for a similar offence. The citations will not appear on criminal records because they are dealt with in local courts, Wesner said.

Clark played for the Raptors for two seasons. He became a free agent July 22 after the team rescinded an offer to extend his contract.

He averaged 11.3 points, 7.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks last year.

Via tsn.ca

Toronto Raptors, General Basketball

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Clark unlikely for magic

Jerry Brewer of the Orlando Sentinel reports: The Orlando Magic are no closer to signing free agent forward/center Keon Clark after a meeting between General Manager John Gabriel and Jim Mourer, Clark's agent.

Though Gabriel said the meeting went well, the same issues that make signing Clark such a long shot still exist.

It was originally thought that Clark would accompany Mourer to Orlando, but the 6-foot-11 former Magic draft pick did not visit. If talks progress and Clark grows more intrigued with the Magic, he will visit. The Magic hope that, at some point, they can bring him in for some wooing.

Mutual interest has caused the Magic to explore adding Clark to the roster. Clark, who averaged 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds for Toronto last season, has said in the past that living where there is no state income tax is attractive to him. He is also said to be an avid golfer in the off-season. And the Magic play a faster style that could showcase his athleticism.

Still, he is expected to command the entire $4.545 million mid-level exception. Though the Magic have most of it to spend, they are dangerously close to the luxury tax, which is expected to kick in between $50 and $52 million this coming season. If a franchise's team salary is above that number, they will have to pay, dollar for dollar, the money over that amount they are. That's why signing Clark is so difficult.

"I think it's unlikely, but you've still got to explore," Gabriel said. "When players show interest, you have to kick open a door that's slightly cracked."

Clark has at least six serious suitors, including the Sacramento Kings, who are championship contenders.

To acquire Clark, the Magic would have to make a trade that might have to include Mike Miller to clear some room under the expected $50-52 million luxury tax freshold.

Via Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings

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Knicks, Nets diving into free agent pool

Fred Kerber of the New York Post reports that both the Nets and the Knicks are stepping up their efforts to land free agents. The Knicks are trying to bolster their front court with Cleveland’s Michael Doleac while the Nets want to sign a quality backup point guard in Toronto’s Chris Childs.

The Nets are close to a deal with Childs and could announce a contract as early as this week. It is expected that he will sign for two years and about $3.5 million.

The Knicks aren’t as close to a deal, but according to league sources, talks between the team and the 6-11 center are heating up and moving into the serious stage. Doleac is expected to be in New York for a “recruiting trip” later this week.

"It's going fine. I'm optimistic Michael would be a real good fit if it were to happen," Doleac's agent, Glen Schwartzman, said yesterday. "We're still talking and I'll really have a better feel for matters [today]."

Via

New York Knicks, New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors

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