Around The Rim

Wondering how Minnesota will be able to afford to re-sign potential free agents Stephon Marbury and Tom Gugliotta while forking over $126 million to Kevin Garnett? Here's part of the answer: The Timberwolves announced an increase in ticket prices next season, hiking $31 seats to $35, $46 seats to $58 and $73 seats to $97....

Orlando immediately waived Yinka Dare after acquiring him from New Jersey, but even after being informed his services were no longer required, Dare asked the Orlando equipment manager for his uniform in hopes of stepping into the team picture....

When Mavericks coach and G.M. Don Nelson acquired Cedric Ceballos from Phoenix for Dennis Scott, he called Ceballos and told him not to hop a plane to Dallas because he planned to immediately trade him. No such deal occurred, but Nellie never called Ceballos back to tell him he would remain a Maverick. Nevertheless, having made his way to Dallas, Ceballos wants to become a fixture. "They might make me one of the franchise players here," Ceballos says....

The Clippers have begun their campaign to re-sign newly acquired (and free-agent-to-be) Isaac Austin by distributing buttons that read, I LIKE IKE....

Just days before Brent Barry was traded from the Clippers to the Heat, he noted that he would love to play for the Suns, especially for coach Danny Ainge, who, like Barry, struggled early as a player under demanding coach Bill Fitch. "I'm dying to talk to Danny about that whole process," said Barry, a live agent at season's end.