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	Kevin Garnett is expected to play more power forward this season. David Sherman/Getty Images

Kevin Garnett has been training his tender knees by running in sand in Malibu, Calif. The 7-footer, who has added muscle this summer and is up to a career-high 253 pounds, is expected to play more power forward than small forward this season. When Garnett was drafted by the Timberwolves in 1995, he weighed 210 pounds.
-- St. Paul Pioneer Press

A former teammate of Gary Payton's in Los Angeles, Shaquille O'Neal recruited Payton hard, convincing the 15-year veteran to sign with the Heat for another shot at an NBA title. Payton said he won't battle for Jason Williams' starting job. He would rather help his teammates improve.
-- Miami Herald

Baltimore police had a problem with the last video that NBA star Carmelo Anthony who appeared briefly in a DVD that promoted the illegal drug trade and encouraged violence against people who cooperate with police - but they are being downright hospitable when it comes to his latest venture: an advertisement for the newly redesigned athletic shoe that bears his name. Anthony was back in his hometown this week filming segments of the upcoming advertisement - on the gritty inner-city street he grew up on and in the steamy gymnasium of a Police Athletic League center.
-- Baltimore Sun

A bigger team beat Phoenix to an extension with Amaré Stoudemire - team Nike. Stoudemire is closing in on signing a contract extension with the Suns next week, but he finished an extension deal with the world's athletic shoe giant. Stoudemire signed a six-year extension with Nike this month.
-- The Arizona Republic

Looking to improve their depth in the frontcourt, the 76ers yesterday agreed to terms with free-agent forward Lee Nailon. Details were not released, but under the NBA's new collective-bargaining agreement, players such as Nailon, ones who have five years of service, will make a minimum of $835,810 this coming season.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

Give an assist to the Sacramento Kings for helping the Bulls land forward Darius Songaila, who signed a two-year contract Thursday that will pay him $2.2 million this season. Songaila has a player option for the second year, though both parties expect the deal to be renegotiated after this season, when Songaila will be eligible to sign for the $5.5 million mid-level salary-cap exception. The Kings, who changed their stance on matching an offer for Songaila once they signed forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim on Aug. 12, rescinded their qualifying offer.
-- Chicago Sun-Times

Jannero Pargo, another client of Mark Bartelstein's, could be next to agree on a contract with the Bulls. The restricted free agent came on strong late last season for the Bulls and earned respect from general manager John Paxson.
-- Chicago Tribune

It appears Richie Frahm will surface from among a handful of free-agent shooting guards the Timberwolves have been quietly auditioning in recent days. The Wolves have been searching for a replacement for Fred Hoiberg, probably out for the season while rehabilitating from aorta surgery. The Wolves are in contract talks with the 6-foot-5 Frahm, 28, who began last season with the Portland Trail Blazers and has also played for the Seattle SuperSonics.
-- St. Paul Pioneer Press

Contract buyout negotiations didn't interest 18-year-old Russian forward Yaroslav Korolev, whose focus remained on the court while his representative tried to free him to join the Clippers. The Clippers' No. 1 draft pick only wanted to know when a deal had been reached with a Russian club team that held his rights, because that's when his work could begin. Korolev is eager to learn and says he wants to contribute to the Clippers this season.
-- Los Angeles Times

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