Raptors targeting Muggsy
Knicks pitch for Oakley
By BILL HARRIS, TORONTO SUN
The Raptors may wind up addressing their little point guard
problem by adding a little point guard.
Meanwhile, Charles Oakley spent yesterday pondering whether
he can go home again. Turns out he can ... but at a considerable
pay cut.
On Day 3 of the NBA's free-agent signing period, numerous
league sources indicated the Raptors have expressed more than a
passing interest in 5-foot-3 veteran Muggsy Bogues.
Raptors representatives allegedly met with Bogues last month and
want to do so again. He certainly isn't Plan A for the club, but
he's being considered as a workable Plan B.
Bogues, 34, played most of the past two seasons with the
Golden State Warriors. He was on the injured list for a month
last season with chicken pox, which in an odd way suggests he
has maintained at least some of his youthfulness.
Bogues averaged 5.1 points and 3.7 assists per game last season.
Through his 12-year career, the product of Wake Forest has
averaged eight points and eight assists per game.
As far as the Raptors' own free agents are concerned, news has
surfaced that the Knicks -- for whom Oakley played for 10
seasons -- have offered him a three-year contract worth $6.6
million US (their $2-million salary cap exception, with annual
percentage increases).
Oakley could make almost that much in one season with the
Raptors, who have a three-year, $16.5-million proposal on the
table. Therein lies the dilemma for Oakley, who feels the Raptors
owe him more than what they've offered.
"I can confirm we've met with the Knicks but I can't discuss the
details," said Billy Diamond, Oakley's main spokesman.
Oakley was in Los Angeles yesterday meeting with Lakers
management, as well as players Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe
Bryant. O'Neal apparently cut short a family vacation upon
hearing Oakley was in L.A.
Lakers sources said a decision from Oakley does not appear to
be imminent, but they expect him to make up his mind by the end
of the month.
SEE THE CBA: Isiah Thomas wants to turn the Continental
Basketball Association into a true minor league for the NBA.
"What we would like to achieve is to one day form affiliates with
NBA teams," said Thomas, a former general manager of the
Raptors, who has signed a letter of intent to buy the nine-team
CBA for $10 million US. Thomas plans to transform the CBA
into a single-entity operation, much like the WNBA.
AROUND THE NBA: Ron Mercer, Popeye Jones and Dwayne
Schintzius were traded from the Celtics to the Nuggets for Danny
Fortson, Eric Washington, Eric Williams and a first-round draft
choice ... Bo Outlaw re-signed with the Magic for one year at $2
million US ... Derek Fisher signed a seven-year, $24-million
contract with the Lakers ... The Kings re-signed Jon Barry and
Scot Pollard, and completed a trade that sends Tariq
Abdul-Wahad and a first-round pick to Orlando for Nick
Anderson ... The Nets waived centre Rony Seikaly.