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Rice is a goner
Posted: Tuesday June 13, 2000 05:53 PM
Imagine if the Lakers had Toni Kukoc to spot up on the perimeter and feast off all those wide open looks created by Shaq and Kobe. Or imagine they had P.J. Brown to defend Rasheed Wallace and Dale Davis. One of those visions could come true next year, especially now that it's clear forward Glen Rice's days in Los Angeles are numbered. Rice hasn't said it yet, but it's becoming increasingly clear he's gone after the season. A poor fit in the Lakers' triple-post offense, Rice has referred several times during the Finals to the "pain" and "frustration" of this season. "It's hard," Rice admits. "But as long as we're winning, I can accept it." Rice's value has dropped and he's unlikely to sign for much more than the $7 million he makes, so he can be traded. The Sixers might be willing to part with Kukoc, a free agent, if they can work a sign-and-trade. Meanwhile, the Heat are desperate for scoring help and might be willing to bring Rice back home to Miami if they can package another player to go with Brown ($4.5 million next year) to match up the salaries. Rice's wife, Christina, recently told a Charlotte-area newspaper that she didn't think her husband would be in L.A. next season. Meanwhile, when asked why Rice was so chipper all the time during the Finals, one Lakers insider said, "Because he knows the end of the season is near." Kenyon swears he's O.K.Kenyon Martin, the Cincinnati forward projected as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, says the broken leg he sustained in the Conference USA Tournament is healing on schedule. "I'm walking -- that's the first step," said Martin, who was in Chicago last weekend for the NBA predraft camp, where he underwent a physical exam but didn't play. Though Martin says he'd play anywhere, he reportedly likes Orlando, which is interested in trading up for the No. 1 pick. He and Magic coach Doc Rivers have been seen together several times in recent weeks, including an Orlando Miracle WNBA game. Meanwhile, Hoftsra guard Speedy Claxton, St. John's forward Lavor Postell and Stanford forward Mark Madsen were said to have made the biggest impressions at the Chicago camp. D.A. confirms Denver possibilityClippers guard Derek Anderson confirms he's likely headed to Denver next season if L.A. will agree to do a sign-and-trade. Anderson was in L.A. for Game 2 of the Finals, and told me he expects the deal to get done. "But you never know with the Clippers," he said. "In the past they wouldn't do sign-and-trades." San Antonio also remains a possibility for Anderson. The Spurs tried to obtain him last year at the deadline, but a deal fell through at the last minute. Meanwhile, free agent guard Mario Elie, also in L.A. for the Finals, said he hopes to sign with an Eastern Conference team that needs a veteran backup to help in the locker room. Chicago and New Jersey are at the top of his list. Elsewhere in L.A.The Finals aren't the only place to catch NBA players in action during the Finals. Several pro and college stars have been playing pickup games at UCLA Pauley Pavilion, and some NBA player personnel types have dropped in to take a look. One Eastern Conference exec said UCLA's Jason Kapono, who has declared himself eligible for the upcoming NBA draft, looked very impressive, while Cavaliers guard Andre Miller looked overweight. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Look for his columns on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Click here to send Marty a comment.
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