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Hardaway, Miami likely to part ways
Neither the Heat nor free agent Tim Hardaway are closing the door on the possibility that he'll be back in a Miami uniform next season, but both sides acknowledge that the odds are against it. After seeing Hardaway's body break down each of the last three postseasons, Heat coach Pat Riley is searching for a younger, more durable point guard -- the Sonics' Gary Payton and Mike Bibby of the Grizzlies are logical targets -- and he'll only re-sign Hardaway, 34, if that search comes up empty. But even if Riley decides he wants Hardaway back, he may not be able to offer the terms the guard is looking for. Hardaway says he won't return as a backup unless it's to an All-Star caliber guard like Payton, and he won't accept a substantial pay cut, which is what Riley no doubt has in mind. Hardaway will still generate substantial interest on the free agent market, where the Celtics and Pacers are expected to be among the teams pursuing him. He says he'll give Miami the chance to match any offer, but it won't be surprising if the Heat lets someone outbid them for Hardaway's services.
Wanted: Player-friendly coach in PortlandPortland team president Bob Whitsitt isn't revealing the short list of head coaching candidates he's compiled, but it's believed to include at least three names -- the Nuggets' John Lucas, Dwayne Casey of the Sonics and former Vancouver coach Lionel Hollins -- who are known for their ability to relate well to players, a quality that the dysfunctional Blazers badly need. Another player-friendly candidate, Magic Johnson, remains a dark horse at best for the job.
Whitsitt's choice may determine whether Blazer center Arvydas Sabonis returns next season. Sabonis, 36, has been considering retirement, and his agent told the Blazers last week that he hasn't made up his mind yet. Sabonis was openly critical of his teammates and former coach Mike Dunleavy after the Blazers were eliminated from the playoffs, and the Blazers believe he's waiting to see who the new coach is before he decides whether to come back.
Believe it or not, Bradley covetedFor years it's been assumed that when the eight-year, $44 million contract 7-foot-6 center Shawn Bradley signed as a rookie finally expired after this season, the much-criticized Bradley would have to settle for a more modest deal. But now that he's a free agent, Bradley could command big dollars once again.He's expected to re-sign with the Mavericks, but as one general manager told me, "If they're not willing to pay him anywhere from six to nine million a year, there are a lot of teams that are." Bradley's shot-blocking abilities could make him especially valuable next year when zones are allowed and he won't have to venture far from the basket.
Sports Illustrated senior writer Phil Taylor covers the NBA beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Click here to send a question to his NBA mailbag.
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