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Slow start Free-agent market opens with little activityPosted: Wednesday July 17, 2002 7:33 PMUpdated: Thursday July 18, 2002 6:14 PM
The NBA free-agent signing period opened with a whimper Wednesday. And it might stay that way for a while. Chauncey Billups signed with the Pistons, and Jacque Vaughn agreed to terms with the Magic. Devean George re-signed with the Lakers. And there was juicy speculation centering on possible new teams for Bryon Russell and Greg Buckner. But, as expected, the twin terrors of salary cap and luxury tax conspired to make it a slow opening day for the NBA's hot stove league. With next season's salary cap set at $40.27 million, down from the $42.5 million of a year ago -- and the luxury tax threshold projected to be as low as $50 million -- most NBA clubs are expected to wait out a buyer's market. "It looks like it's going to be very slow," Hawks GM Pete Babcock said. "The tax issue is out there. A lot of teams are going to sit back and wait it out." Of Wednesday's signings, the biggest surprise belonged to the world champion Lakers. After being courted by a handful of teams -- including the Nets, Timberwolves, Wizards and Jazz -- the 6-foot-8 George agreed to stay in L.A. for a four-year deal worth about $20 million. "He's excited," George's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said. "It's where he wanted to be all along. He's happy that it worked out." Billups, a 6-foot-3 combo guard, signed a six-year, $35 million deal with the Pistons. He is expected to battle Chucky Atkins for the starting point guard slot, but could also see time as a backup to shooting guard Jerry Stackhouse. Billups spent the past two seasons with the Timberwolves, where he played behind starter Terrell Brandon. "He's a legit point guard with size, he's an excellent defender, and he still hasn't entered his prime," Pistons coach Rick Carlisle said. "The other thing we like about Chauncey is that he really wants to be here. He chose us over 12 to 14 other teams. That means a lot." Vaughn, a 6-foot-1 point guard, signed a one-year deal with the Magic, where he is expected to share time with veteran Darrell Armstrong. Last year's backup, free agent Troy Hudson, is reportedly seeking a deal starting at $4.5 million per year, a price the Magic did not want to pay. Vaughn spent last season in Atlanta, after serving four years as John Stockton's apprentice with the Jazz. "Jacque has an opportunity to start in Orlando, and that's real important to him, " said his agent, Jeff Austin. While only a few players signed new deals Wednesday, a few more could follow in coming days. The Sixers are close to a deal with Buckner, a 6-foot-4 guard who has spent the past three seasons with the Mavericks, according to sources. Buckner's ability to play point guard and small forward makes him a good fit for Philadelphia, which could lose Matt Harpring to free agency. It also might give Sixers head coach/vice president Larry Brown flexibility in case he needs to give up Eric Snow in a future trade. Russell, the 6-foot-8 veteran who played a key role for the Jazz during their Finals appearances in '97 and '98, appears headed elsewhere. Six teams have expressed serious interest, including the Mavericks, Hawks and Timberwolves, according to his agent Dwight Manley. Dallas is said to be the front-runner, but the Mavs want to see what happens with their own free-agent forward, Eduardo Najera. In the present NBA climate, even deep-pocketed Mavs owner Mark Cuban has his limits. Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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