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Wizards Get Set To Go ShoppingSteve Wyche of the Washington Post reports: After claiming themselves "lucky" to land three likely contributors in last Wednesday's draft that will make an already young team younger, the Washington Wizards enter the free agency period trying to upgrade their roster, maybe by saying good-bye to some players who have served them well. Beginning just after midnight, NBA teams can begin negotiations with free agents. Contracts can't be finalized until July 16 although parties can come to terms in principle. The Wizards' main priority is re-signing free agent forward Popeye Jones, who spent the last two seasons in Washington and is considered one of their most valuable players. Since he is the Wizards' own free agent, he fits into the "Bird" free agent category, meaning Washington can spend whatever it wants to retain him without delving into the $4.6 million exception. Washington will have competition for Jones, one of the team's best rebounders, defenders and, more importantly, mentors to young players. The Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks already have made it clear they will pursue Jones, who said last season returning to Washington is his first choice. The Wizards might not be as aggressive in trying to retain Nesby, a small forward, since they drafted Jared Jeffries and Rod Grizzard and have significant interest in George, the Lakers' free agent small forward. However, Nesby still could be in the team's plans, particularly if the Wizards opt to pursue a bigger point guard in free agency. Though it drafted 6-foot-3 Juan Dixon and will try him at point guard, Washington has targeted Minnesota's Billups and Golden State's Larry Hughes, who struggled making the transition from shooting guard to point guard last year, as point guard possibilities. In making any trades or free agent moves, the Wizards will be conscious of next season's luxury-tax trigger, which could be as low as $49 million-$50 million. They also must make sure they are thrifty enough to have enough salary cap space -- at least $10 million -- to pursue the stellar crop of free agents in 2003. San Antonio center Tim Duncan and New Jersey guard Jason Kidd head that list, which also will include Miami center Alonzo Mourning, the Clippers' Lamar Odom and a long list of other top-tier talents. After this season, the Wizards also will have the option of extending the contract of shooting guard Richard Hamilton, who appears to be in the team's long-term plans. This year's free agent crop has a lower profile but does contain several decent players: Mike Bibby, Bonzi Wells, Keon Clark, Rodney Rogers, Travis Best, Walt Williams, Bryan Russell, Charles Oakley, Bruce Bowen, Billups, Hughes and George, to name a few. Wyche also speculates that the Wizards will try to swing a deal for a point like Andre Miller or a small forward like Mike Miller. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets MCI Center May Wind Up With New NameThomas Heath of the Washington Post reports: WorldCom Inc.'s admission that it fabricated $3.9 billion in profits is likely to have implications for Abe Pollin's Washington Sports & Entertainment group, and could lead to the MCI Center eventually getting a new name. Washington Sports forged an estimated $80 million deal with the telephone giant in the mid-'90s, consisting of loans to help build the arena as well as payments to cover the naming rights. The country's second-largest long-distance company, which purchased Washington-based MCI the same year the arena opened in 1997, is facing fraud charges brought this week by the Securities and Exchange Commission. If the false profits trigger a bankruptcy proceeding, which some Wall Street observers say is likely, Mississippi-based WorldCom could default on its naming rights payments to Washington Sports. Sports marketer Dean Bonham of Denver specializes in naming rights deals and said "it's pretty clear that the MCI Center is probably going to be looking for a new title sponsor in the next few months." Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Posey trade fizzlesMarc J. Spears of the Denver Post reports: A potential trade in which Denver Nuggets swingman James Posey would have been dealt for the Washington Wizards' 17th pick in the first round of today's NBA draft dissolved Tuesday. The Wizards acquired the 17th pick Tuesday, trading guard Courtney Alexander to the New Orleans Hornets. Washington then spoke with Denver about dealing the newly acquired pick for Posey. The Nuggets, however, decided against the move since they consider Posey to be a better player than anyone available at No. 17. Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said it's possible his client still could be dealt. "There are a lot of teams that would like to get (Posey)," Bartelstein said. "(Nuggets general manager) Kiki (Vandeweghe) is not looking to just give him away. We are just going to see how this thing plays out." Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Wizards Jun 2002 Archive
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