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NBA Rumors: Thursday, July 2
InsideHoops NBA rumors updated 8:05 p.m. ET. Reload this page, our front page and basketball blog regularly.

Ron Artest, whose versatility and toughness have made him one of the most coveted and combustible players in the NBA, told CBSSports.com Thursday that he's signing with the Lakers. "I'm definitely going to L.A. -- to sign, yeah," Artest said in a phone interview. "Lakers, Lakers, Lakers. I'm in L.A. right now." Artest said he met with Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss Thursday and previously had spoken with Lakers coach Phil Jackson. He was en route to his financial manager's office, where he planned to huddle on the phone with his agent, David Bauman, to finalize details. CBS Sports

Lakers spokesman John Black declined to comment on Artest's assertion, but another person with knowledge of the situation corroborated Artest's account that he will sign with L.A. pending the financial parameters being finalized. CBS Sports

But Artest said talks with Cleveland "never got that far." Told that Cleveland, by all accounts, had extreme interest, Artest said, "I don't know how extreme. I love the Cleveland Cavaliers, though. I love LeBron and Coach (Mike) Brown and Shaq." CBS Sports

"I talked to Coach Phil, and I was happy to talk to him," Artest said. "Big fan of Coach Phil. My agent talked to Kupchak, and I met with Dr. Buss. I'm very, very excited." CBS Sports

An NBA source said that the Celtics offered Detroit free agent F/C Rasheed Wallace a contract using the mid-level exception today during a three-hour meeting in Detroit. Boston Globe Blog

In free-agency, you never know for sure where you stand until you get an agreement in principle and, eventually, signatures on the dotted line. But indications are that the Mavericks have bolted to the lead in the Marcin Gortat derby, if there ever was such a thing. Gortat is the 6-11, unrestricted free-agent center who played for Orlando the last two seasons. He averaged 3.3 points and 3.2 rebounds in the playoffs while playing behind Dwight Howard. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

The Mavericks aren't saying anything about whether they are on the brink of an agreement with Gortat. He likely would cost the entire mid-level exception (about $5.5 million for the first year). If that were stretched out five years, the deal would be worth more than $30 million. Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Alonzo Mourning to work for Heat: The shot-blocking center who retired this past season and then became the first player in the franchise's 21 seasons to have his number retired, has agreed to a front-office position with the team as vice president of player programs and development. Mourning, 39, who has said he could not envision himself coaching due to his lack of patience, instead will get to work with the roster in a less formal setting, mostly mentoring the team's younger players away from the court. South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft pick, Ricky Rubio, 18, will remain in Spain to play for his DKV Joventut basketball team for the remaining two years of his contract rather than try to move to the NBA this season, El Periodico reported today. The Barcelona newspaper also says Rubio, who was paid $97,000 last season, plans to withdraw his contract lawsuit against DKV Joventut. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Ricky Rubio has ruled out making the leap to the NBA next season, despite being selected at number five in the draft by Minnesota. The base of El Masnou is now studying their counsel to withdraw the lawsuit against Penya and fulfill the two year contract signed with the club Badalona. El Periodico/translation

Charlie Villanueva: "Well I'm a Piston, long day yesterday, but got it done, God is good." Twitter | InsideHoops Twitter

Several NBA sources have confirmed to me that controversial and wildly popular guard Allen Iverson - through representatives - has made the Grizzlies aware that he would like to play in Memphis. The veteran, prolific scorer is a free agent for the first time in his professional career. While no deal is imminent and conversations have been only cursory, Griz brass are said to be internally weighing the pros and cons of possibly adding Iverson to the team's youth movement. Memphis Commercial APpeal

Iverson would certainly have to take a major pay cut from the $21 million he earned last season with Detroit. The Griz would only entertain Iverson with what they'd deem a reasonable price, and if the 34-year-old agreed to play off the bench. Memphis Commercial APpeal

Reports that the Grizzlies offered David Lee a multi-year deal ranging from $50-$60 million is news to Lee's agent, Mark Bartelstein. Did the Griz contact Bartelstein this week? Yes. But Bartelstein said he never talked contract specifics with the Griz. "All of the reports about money and years are not true," Bartelstein said. "We never got to that point. We talked only conceptually." Memphis Commercial APpeal

The Raptors are widening their NBA free-agent search that now includes one of the more intriguing players on the market. Capping a whirlwind 24 hours to open the negotiating period, league sources say Toronto is trying to obtain David Lee, an energetic rebounder who is a New York Knicks restricted free agent. Toronto Star

The sources couldn't say whether the move on Lee would be a straight offer or whether it would be a sign-and-trade transaction with any of Toronto's current free agents. Lee's name is added to a list that began with Charlie Villanueva – who ultimately signed a five-year, $40 million deal with the Detroit Pistons – and Denver's Linas Kleiza, a solid if unspectacular part not in the class of Lee. Toronto Star

Still, two NBA sources said yesterday they thought Turkoglu was more interested in landing in Toronto than the Pacific Northwest. A report yesterday afternoon that Toronto was planning some exorbitant $60 million offer, however, was debunked by a handful of sources. It would take Toronto renouncing the rights to Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker, Carlos Delfino and others to get a Turkoglu deal done and one league source said a deal with Delfino was "close." Toronto Star

Suns General Manager Steve Kerr spent a few hours at Grant Hill's Orlando house Wednesday to begin re-recruiting him, and team personnel put in calls to free-agent big men Antonio McDyess, Channing Frye, Sean May, Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox. Nobody can attest to the interest or the sales pitch better than McDyess or Hill. Beyond using some of the mid-level exception for Hill, the Suns will bank on their system, city, point guard Steve Nash and winning history to lure others with minimum contracts and maybe the biennial exception. Arizona Republic

Grant Hill is receiving interest from several teams, including Boston, Denver and New York, because he rejuvenated his career in Phoenix. The Denver Post reported he could command $3 million per year there. Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni probably has major minutes and money waiting for Hill, who said he is leaning toward remaining with Phoenix. Arizona Republic

"We had a really good day," Kerr said of his Hill visit. "I laid out the vision for the team, and we talked a lot. I feel pretty good about it." After the Suns nearly made a deal to trade Amaré Stoudemire last week, the Suns All-Star forward sat with Managing Partner Robert Sarver at Wednesday's Mercury game. Stoudemire's agent, Charles Grantham, said he and Kerr plan to meet in the next 10 days. Arizona Republic

While Hedo Turkoglu is being wined and dined in two time zones by the Portland Trail Blazers, his other potential suitors aren't sitting around waiting for them to kiss each other good night. The Toronto Raptors, for one, are deliberating what it would take to make Turkoglu an offer that would top the the five-year, $50 million proposal that Portland can offer, as reported early Wednesday by CBSSports.com. CBS Sports

Any offer to Lee, by definition, would be in the $8-$10 million range so it would test the Knicks' threshold for matching. And Lee's list of potential suitors shrank by one Wednesday when Memphis traded Quentin Richardson to the Clippers for power forward Zach Randolph. CBS Sports

Turkoglu: In what would be a brazen bid to usurp the Portland Trail Blazers on Hedo Turkoglu, the Toronto Raptors are considering making an offer to the free-agent forward, league sources said. Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo could make an offer totaling close to $56 million if he cleared additional salary-cap space by renouncing Shawn Marion, Anthony Parker and Carlos Delfino. Turkoglu, a unrestricted free agent who had a terrific postseason for the Orlando Magic, has been the centerpiece of Portland’s free-agent recruitment. He is expected to travel to Portland on Thursday to visit the Blazers. Portland likely could offer a five-year, $50 million contract. Yahoo

After Doug Collins pulled out of the Detroit Pistons’ coaching search on Wednesday night, Pistons president Joe Dumars embarked on a closer inspection of the Dallas Mavericks’ coaching tenure of Avery Johnson, sources familiar with the process said. Yahoo

On the first day of free agency, Knicks officials met with Jason Kidd and reached out to Grant Hill, two aging stars who still have enough ability and clout to restore some pride to Madison Square Garden. Landing either player is a long shot, but it demonstrates an aggressive agenda by Donnie Walsh, the team president, and Coach Mike D’Antoni as they try to resuscitate the franchise. NY Times

Kidd and Hill are being wooed by every title contender in the league. And Kidd can earn millions more by staying with the Dallas Mavericks. The Knicks, who are trying to reduce their payroll, can offer only modest, short-term deals and the allure of New York. NY Times

Walsh acknowledged the Knicks’ disadvantages in the free-agent chase. His sales pitch will probably be more personal. Kidd could be closer to his children, who live in New York. Hill’s wife, Tamia, is a singer who would presumably benefit from the proximity to Broadway and Madison Avenue. Both Kidd and Hill might see the appeal in mentoring the Knicks’ promising young core, which includes forwards Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Jordan Hill, as well as Lee and Robinson, if they re-sign. NY Times

The Knicks would like to keep Lee for about $7 million to $8 million per year. They will probably ask Lee to structure the deal with a lower salary in 2010-11, in order to maintain the flexibility to chase a superstar or two. Robinson is being pursued by at least five teams, including the two defending conference champions, the Lakers and Magic. NY Times

Portland free-agent forward Channing Frye has drawn interest from the Phoenix Suns and Nuggets. … The New York Knicks hope to meet with Suns free-agent forward Grant Hill. Yahoo

The courtship of point guard Jason Kidd likely will extend over a couple of weeks, as he waits to see the moves the Dallas Mavericks make to upgrade their roster, league sources said Wednesday. Yahoo

The Dallas Mavericks' first step in free agency was conveying to Jason Kidd at the first allowable minute that they are prepared to sign him to a three-year deal believed to be in the region of $25 million. The New York Knicks, meanwhile, have readied their own offer to Kidd to match the Dallas contract ... at least in length. ESPN.com

Sources close to the process told ESPN.com on Wednesday night that Knicks president Donnie Walsh has decided that he will indeed make a three-year offer to Kidd, even though having such an offer accepted would almost certainly slice into some of New York's projected salary-cap space for the highly anticipated free-agent bonanza in the summer of 2010. That would put additional pressure on Walsh to shed the contract of either Eddy Curry or Jared Jeffries -- or both -- between now and February to ensure that the Knicks have the sort of cap space needed to pursue LeBron James in free agency. ESPN.com

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban met face-to-face with Kidd in New York at one minute past midnight Wednesday and came away "very optimistic" about Dallas' chances of retaining him. It appears, though, that a resolution on Kidd's future is unlikely before next week, with the Mavericks and Kidd still negotiating financial terms and with the Knicks refusing to concede. ESPN.com

The reality for the Knicks is that even a three-year offer to Kidd could only start at the $5.6 million mid-level exception and top out at around $18 million. The Mavericks can increase their offer if necessary, with Kidd believed to be seeking at least $30 million over three years. ESPN.com

New York's hopes of concocting a way to hang onto Lee appeared to receive a boost late Wednesday when the Memphis Grizzlies, thought to be one of the few teams with cap space willing to sign Lee to an offer sheet, verbally agreed instead to acquire ex-Knick Zach Randolph from the Los Angeles Clippers for Quentin Richardson. ESPN.com

And yes, this first-day recruitment effort is a sign that the Knicks don't expect Steve Nash to be available to them in the near future. The Suns have until August to pick up his $13M team option. According to the Arizona Republic, the option is partially guaranteed for $8M, so there's absolutely zero chance the Suns don't pick it up. But does Nash agree to sign an extension? Mark Cuban tried to keep Kidd off the market with a three-year committment, but, so far, Kidd hasn't accepted it. The Knicks have yet to make a formal offer to Kidd, but the parameters are pretty obvious (MLE) so really all that's left to discuss is the length. Will the Knicks commit to three guaranteed years? NY Newsday Blog

Certainly seems the Memphis Grizzlies are out of any potential bidding for David Lee, if the Quentin Richardson-for-Zach Randolph deal gets done. The Trail Blazers seem to be committing their attention to Hedo Turkoglu and Andre Miller. Detroit appears to be locked in on Charlie Villanueva. Oklahoma City is still an option, of course, but Paul Millsap is out there as well. NY Newsday Blog

The 24-year-old Kleiza, who lost his major role with Denver late last season, could be had for much less than the expected $5.6 million so-called mid-level salary cap exception, which is about all the money Toronto will have at its disposal to chase free agents from other teams. Toronto Star

Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza said he's in a "waiting" mode at the start of free agency. Kleiza, a restricted free agent, worked out a couple weeks in Denver, even showing up to pickup basketball with the DU men's basketball team before spending recent days in New York. He traveled to his home country, Lithuania, on Wednesday. Denver Post

Dahntay Jones' agent, Mark Bartelstein, said "it's too soon to tell" if Jones will be back with Denver. The free agent played excellent defense for much of the season, but also is interested in a multiyear deal. Denver Post

An NBA source said the Nuggets are interested in Phoenix veteran Grant Hill, who could be a steal at around $3 million a year, though there are other teams interested in the former all-star. Denver Post

As Carlos Boozer trade rumors continued to swirl Wednesday, Jazz restricted free agent Paul Millsap negotiated the first full day of the NBA's summer free-agency shopping market. Much of the interest in Millsap is known to have come from Oklahoma City, which has enough team payroll salary cap space to sign Utah's backup power forward to an offer sheet. Deseret News

Even if Oklahoma City and Millsap agreed to terms, the Thunder would face likely competition from the Jazz — who've vowed to match any offer sheet the 2006 second-round draft choice signs with another team. Deseret News

One NBA agent said the Jazz will match unless Millsap's deal is "crazy money." Asked if a contract starting at $10 million per season is just that, the agent dubbed it "borderline crazy." Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor on Tuesday told NBA.com that "we're going to re-sign Paul Millsap unless the number is outrageous," which is a departure from the franchise's initial unequivocal commitment to match. Deseret News

Only a day into free agency, Paul Millsap 's options appeared to narrow to two suitors in the Jazz and Oklahoma City, while Millsap's agent, DeAngelo Simmons , couldn't be sure how long it would take for either to make an offer. Simmons said he'd researched Wednesday how long it had taken previous restricted free agents to reach agreements in the past. The answers varied, from a matter of days to a matter of weeks to sometimes more than a month. Salt Lake Tribune

That would leave only Oklahoma City and the Jazz for Millsap, with the Jazz capable of matching any offer from the Thunder. They did just that a year ago when Oklahoma City signed C.J. Miles to a four-year, $14.8 million offer sheet. The Thunder have approximately $11 million in cap space, but must also be payroll conscious with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green both in line for contract extensions next summer, followed by Russell Westbroo k in 2011. Salt Lake Tribune

There was no word from Mike Higgins , the agent for Ronnie Price , about the Jazz's interest in re-signing the point guard. Salt Lake Tribune

Morris Almond, the Jazz's 2007 first-round draft pick, will play with New York's summer-league team. Salt Lake Tribune

Eric Maynor signed his rookie contract ahead of the start of summer-league practice. The first two years are worth a guaranteed $2.7 million, with the Jazz holding third- and fourth-year options. Salt Lake Tribune

After the first official day of free-agent negotiations, there is optimism that the Nuggets will be able to sign unrestricted free agent Chris Andersen. "I think it's fair to say that both sides are motivated," Nuggets director of basketball operations Mark Warkentien said Wednesday afternoon. "That's why we're in L.A. and meeting today." Warkentien is currently in Los Angeles meeting with Andersen's representatives, notably Denver-based attorney Mark Bryant and agent Steve Heumann of the L.A.-based Creative Arts Agency. Denver Post

Andersen: There are numerous teams inquiring about the NBA's No. 2 shot-blocker from last season, notably Houston, which has all-star center Yao Ming shelved indefinitely, as well as Dallas, Portland and Memphis. But Andersen, who lived in Denver during his two-year banishment from the league for drug abuse, adores the city of Denver and has publicly said he wants to return home. Denver Post

Trevor Ariza's agent emerged from a lengthy phone conversation with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak on Wednesday afternoon convinced that the team isn't as interested in re-signing his client as it claims to be. "I had a long conversation with Mitch, and I don't think it's going anywhere," agent David Lee said. "I think I'm being optimistic when I say it's not going anywhere." Press Enterprise Blog

Trevor Ariza may be on the verge of leaving the team after his agent emerged from a lengthy phone conversation with Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak on Wednesday convinced that the team isn't as interested in re-signing his client as it claims to be. Agent David Lee said Kupchak did not make a firm contract offer, nor were the Lakers willing to pay him more than the $5.6 million mid-level exception. Press Enterprise

Ariza already has firm offers from several other teams, according to Lee, and will begin speaking with opposing coaches today. Asked if he could envision Ariza accepting a deal from another team without speaking to the Lakers again, Lee said, "Yes, we have no choice. That's the position they've put us in." Press Enterprise

A Lakers source speaking on the condition of anonymity said the offers Ariza has received from other teams are for the mid-level exception. The Lakers are willing to match the other offers on the table for Ariza, according to the source, but they're not going to overpay simply because it's their own player. Press Enterprise

In particular, Ariza and his agent weren't thrilled by the Lakers' annual offer of $5.6 million over an unspecified number of years. Ariza, 24, was hoping for $7 million to $8 million a year. Odom, 29, is believed to be seeking $10 million a year, though it was unclear what the Lakers offered him. Ariza's agent, David Lee, went down to the wire last October with the Lakers while negotiating an extension for another one of his clients, Andrew Bynum. This one is at an early impasse as well. LA Times

Ariza is drawing interest from Portland, Houston, Cleveland, Toronto and the Clippers. Of those teams, only Portland and Toronto have enough salary-cap room to offer more than the Lakers' current offer, though the Trail Blazers and Raptors are reportedly in pursuit of Orlando forward Hedo Turkoglu. LA Times

A league source confirmed this morning that the Celtics were trying to set up a meeting with Rasheed Wallace later today. Boston Herald

According to the source, the Celtics are willing to offer the full $5.8 million mid-level exception, but were only planning on offering the 35-year-old a two-year contract. Boston Herald

Leon Powe will be testing the free agent market. Powe, who tore a knee ligament in the first round of the playoffs, is not expected to play until February. “They didn’t feel like waiting on me, and they decided not to pick up my option,’’ Powe said in a telephone interview from California. “I was planning on coming back, but I was told otherwise. So, I called my agent and we’re going to find another team.’’ Boston Globe

“I thought they were going to take care of me with a long-term deal until I got back on my feet, at least give me an offer,’’ Powe said. “So, I was confused when [Ainge] called. But they just probably made a business decision. They said they had a lot of other problems. I always worked hard and I told Danny I always come back, from anything. But they didn’t feel like paying the money and waiting for me.’’ Boston Globe

Lester Hudson, 24, who was presented with a No. 26 Celtic jersey, will play for the team in the Orlando Summer League next week. The Celtics team will also include J.R. Giddens, Gabe Pruitt, and Bill Walker, plus Nick Fazekas (Lyon Villeurbanne, France), Coby Karl (DKV Joventut, Spain), center-forward Mike Sweetney (formerly of the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks), Robert Swift (Oklahoma City), and Darius Washington (Ural Great, Russia); and rookie free agents Chris Lofton (Mersin, Turkey), Bryan Mullins (Southern Illinois), Kevin Rogers (Baylor), and Bryce Taylor (Premiata Montegranaro, Italy). Boston Globe

Danny Ainge was on the telephone at his HealthPoint office when the NBA free agent market opened at midnight yesterday. Among Ainge’s first calls was to Bill Strickland, agent for center-forward Rasheed Wallace. I made some calls,’’ said Ainge, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations. “Rasheed is a guy we have interest in. We made calls with quite a few free agents’ representatives late last night from my office to let them know we have interest. We contacted 10 free agents and tried to get some feedback in what they are looking for and their interest long term. But that’s about it. Mostly for something down the road.’’ Boston Globe

The Celtics’ interest in Wallace is not for the long term, though. Wallace, 34, might be the most intriguing of free agent candidates, his relationship with Celtics forward Kevin Garnett a possible advantage. Strickland confirmed the Celtics’ contact with Wallace with a text message: “The interest is mutual.’’ Asked if Wallace, who earned $13 million with the Pistons last season, could join the Celtics as a mid-level exception, Strickland said: “We will see how things work out.’’ Boston Globe

Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando, and San Antonio have also shown interest in Wallace. Boston Globe

Rasheed Wallace, considered to be the top free-agent target for a Spurs team in desperate search for a big man, fielded similar calls from Orlando, Cleveland, Boston and elsewhere in the first few minutes of free agency. All of the above teams, including the Spurs, can make Wallace approximately the same offer, a short-term deal starting at the mid-level exception, expected to be worth around $5.6 million. The Spurs have long coveted the 6-foot-11 Wallace, who will turn 35 in September, as a perimeter shooting big who can stretch the floor for Tim Duncan. San Antonio Express-News

Boston is widely considered the frontrunner for Wallace's services, due in large part to a personal pitch from Celtics All-Star Kevin Garnett. Though he is at the top of their list, the Spurs are casting a wide net in their hunt for a big fish. San Antonio Express-News

The Spurs are also believed to have interest in Orlando center Marcin Gortat, who is a restricted free agent. After taking on Vince Carter's pricetag in a trade last week, however, the Magic are not expected to match any substantial offer Gortat receives. San Antonio Express-News

According to Andy Miller, agent for Tyronne Lue - a reserve guard for Orlando who is close to Garnett - and forward Antonio McDyess, Ainge has expressed interest in both players. McDyess was expected to return to the Pistons, but began checking other options because Detroit signed Charlie Villanueva, who agreed in principle to a contract yesterday, according to the Associated Press. Boston Globe

The "news" that Rudy Fernandez is "infuriated" with the Trail Blazers for their interest in Hedo Turkoglu comes as a surprise to coach Nate McMillan and general manager Kevin Pritchard, both of whom had separate conversations with the guard earlier this week on the phone. "I just spoke with Rudy two days ago, to see how he was doing, and he said he was doing fine and that he was happy,'' McMillan said. "I talked to him about our moves, and how we did in the draft, and why we did what we did in the draft and he was fine with it. We talked about Sergio (Rodriguez) and he was OK with everything we've done.'' Oregonian

Pritchard said he "had a good conversation" with Fernandez on Monday. "We joked around,'' Pritchard said. "And we had a fantastic exit interview. He talked about how excited he was to come back.'' Oregonian

There are some factions who are implying that Fernandez last season was unhappy with his playing time, which simply is not true. He averaged 25.6 minutes a game, which he felt was about right. There was a point in the season when he was simply tired and couldn't take the minutes. And sure, there were some games he didn't like being taken out - Game 3 against Houston comes to mind - but show me a player who hasn't griped. Oregonian

The Blazers also can commence negotiations on contract extensions for their two most important players – Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge – deals that can be signed beginning on July 8. Roy and Aldridge, both locked in by Portland for another year on their contracts, can be extended five additional years at maximum salaries and at a 10.5-percent annual increase. Portland Tribune

Portland is the only team that can negotiate with Roy and Aldridge, and their extensions don’t affect the team’s cap space this summer. It would seem a foregone conclusion both Roy will get a max deal, which would likely be in the range of $77 million apiece for five years. Aldridge will get a substantial contract, too, but probably for less than the maximum. Portland Tribune

Pritchard shot down one rumor – the Blazers sending Steve Blake and Travis Outlaw to Philadelphia in a sign-and-trade for Andre Miller – Tuesday night. “No,” Pritchard said in a text message when asked if the trade would happen. “Nothing to it,” a 76ers representative said to the same query. Portland Tribune

Marcin Gortat told the Rockets he wanted playing time and to be part of a winning team. Welcome to the intersection of opportunity and availability. Now, if his agent will stop yapping about money long enough to let the young man sign the contract Daryl Morey offered, the Rockets will have taken a step in the right direction. “We really believe in this kid,” a member of the Rockets’ brain trust said. “We see him as a draft pick.” Houston Chronicle

In the end, if Morey believes in a guy, I believe in the guy, too. He has gotten pretty much everything right in two years on the job, and in Morey I trust. (As for Morey, he would want to mention Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, who just ponied up $6 million for three second-round picks. It’s possible not a single one of those players will ever play for the Rockets, but they provide depth and flexibility. Not many owners would write that large of a check with so little guaranteed.) Houston Chronicle

On Tuesday night, Morey walked into Gortat’s home with an offer sheet and a No. 13 Rockets jersey. Before knocking on the door, he encouraged Rockets fans via Facebook and Twitter to show Gortat some love at rocketsfanslovegortat@gmail.com. Houston Chronicle

There’s also a tough-love side to this story. Gortat’s agent mentioned wanting a full mid-level exception. That amounts to around $30 million over five years. Houston Chronicle

As for Ron Artest, the Rockets are weighing whether to offer him a one-year contract. What they seem to be wondering is if it’s smart to bring him back when he might not be happy with his contract. There’s no right answer. Artest might come back at a reasonable price and be perfectly happy. But that’s a gamble the Rockets seem unlikely to take. And he’d be missed. Houston Chronicle

Artest on Twitter at around 10:05 p.m. ET Wednesday posted the following message: THANKS A LOT HOUSTON. :) I HAD A LOT OF FUN :) This obviously suggests that Artest expects to sign with another NBA team. UPDATE: Artest went on a Sacramento radio station late Wednesday night and said he’s basically just messing around on Twitter and not being serious. So, maybe he’s kidding with what he said above, maybe not. InsideHoops.com

NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports Wednesday it is unlikely free agent forward Ron Artest will return to the Houston Rockets. League sources told FOX 26 the Rockets would be willing to offer Artest a one-year contract at best. The sources said because of that the chances of Artest resigning with Houston are remote. MyFoxHouston

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