July 2nd: "A Rad day for Lakers" "Horvath has shot at NBA"

[Phil]

A Rad day for Lakers
BY ROSS SILER, Staff Writer



With Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson, Magic Johnson and Vlade Divac all on the phone, Vladimir Radmanovic had a wake-up call to remember when the NBA's free- agent negotiating period opened a little after 6 a.m. Saturday in his native Serbia.

Not even 24hours later, the Lakers had reached an agreement with Radmanovic, a 6-foot-10 forward and career 38.1 percent 3-point shooter, in their big free- agent move of the summer.

After playing last season for Seattle and the Clippers, Radmanovic will sign a five-year contract for approximately $30million. The contract is for the full mid-level exception and is the maximum the Lakers could offer under league salary-cap rules.

In a conference call with reporters, agent David Bauman said Radmanovic, 25, had a half-hour conversation with Jackson that "probably sealed the deal."

According to Bauman, Bryant also told Radmanovic, "You're our guy. You're the shooter we need and want. You're going to make us better and we're going to make you better."

[Phil]

Radmanovic plans on signing with Lakers
By JOHN NADEL, AP Sports Writer

Unrestricted free agent Vladimir Radmanovic plans to sign a long-term contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, his agent said Saturday.


The 6-foot-10 forward played 4 1/2 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers last February for Chris Wilcox.


The Clippers had said they hoped to re-sign Radmanovic, but it didn't take long for the 25-year-old sharpshooter to make another choice.


"The decision was obviously a tough one for Vlade," agent David Bauman said from Bethesda, Md. "On the one hand, he had strong interest from the Clippers to entice him to remain. (Coach) Mike Dunleavy, (general manager) Elgin Baylor and (executive) Andy Roeser did everything conceivable to make Vladimir feel comfortable and convince him to return.


"At the same time, the Lakers and numerous other teams called just after 12 midnight Eastern time to express to Vladimir their strong interest in getting his services."

[Phil]

Radmanovic turns to the rival Lakers


The former Clippers foward agrees to a five-year, $31 million deal.

By KEVIN DING
The Orange County Register

The Lakers aren't waiting around any longer.

They agreed to a five-year contract worth about $31 million with former Clippers forward Vladimir Radmanovic on Saturday, said Radmanovic's agent, David Bauman. Asked for confirmation, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said: "At the conclusion of the moratorium period (July 12), the Lakers intend to enter into a contract with Vladimir Radmanovic."

The Lakers are so sure the stellar shooting and less-heralded athleticism of the 6-foot-10 Radmanovic is worth the long-term money they are deviating from their plan to have no one but Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom under contract in 2008. That's when the Lakers hoped to sign a marquee free agent such as Ron Artest, Kevin Garnett or LeBron James.

That go-for-broke scenario remains a fall-back option - the Lakers could dump Odom or Radmanovic, 25, or wriggle the payroll to set up such a move - but the clear first option is now to maximize the next two seasons when Phil Jackson remains contracted as the Lakers coach.

[Phil]

Horvath has shot at NBA
03 July 2006
By TOBY ROBSON

Nick Horvath may have missed out on a national title but the Wellington Saints import won't leave New Zealand empty-handed.


The 2.08m American will board a flight today bound for California where he will join the LA Lakers' SummerProLeague squad for a shot at the NBA.

Horvath will join a 10-man squad made up mostly of the players hand-picked in last week's draft as the Lakers finalise their 2007 NBA roster.

"Kobe Bryant won't be in the team, but it will be really good basketball," Horvath said yesterday. "It's up to me to try to impress them. I think I've got a good shot because they have indicated they are very interested."

Horvath will play eight games in 13 days in the Southern California division, which includes teams from the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards and Dallas Mavericks.

Should he make the NBA it would cap a remarkable comeback after a knee injury forced the former Duke University star to turn down a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2005.

That injury, suffered playing for the West Sydney Razorbacks in Australia, has taught the 26-year-old to be philosophical. "If it doesn't work out then there will be a lot of scouts from Europe and the other NBA teams," he said.

[Phil]

Free Agents Break Fast

Cassell is expected to stay with Clippers, who also get Tim Thomas, but Radmanovic will switch to Lakers with a $31-million deal.
By Mike Bresnahan and Jason Reid, Times Staff Writers
July 2, 2006


In a day filled with innumerable twists, the local basketball landscape shifted, sighed and eventually settled as Vladimir Radmanovic left the Clippers for the Lakers, Tim Thomas left Phoenix for the Clippers, and Sam Cassell stayed where he was last season — as a Clipper.

The Lakers moved quickly on the first day of free agency by snatching away a piece from their cross-town rival and agreeing to terms Saturday with Radmanovic, a three-point shooting forward who has made a career of stretching defenses.

The Clippers reacted swiftly after Radmanovic and Cassell apparently reneged on agreements to stay with them, then reaching terms with the sharpshooting Thomas and making a push for free-agent guard Bobby Jackson as a backup plan in case Cassell left.

[Phil]

Free Agents Break Fast
Cassell is expected to stay with Clippers, who also get Tim Thomas, but Radmanovic will switch to Lakers with a $31-million deal.
By Mike Bresnahan and Jason Reid, Times Staff Writers
July 2, 2006


In a day filled with innumerable twists, the local basketball landscape shifted, sighed and eventually settled as Vladimir Radmanovic left the Clippers for the Lakers, Tim Thomas left Phoenix for the Clippers, and Sam Cassell stayed where he was last season — as a Clipper.

The Lakers moved quickly on the first day of free agency by snatching away a piece from their cross-town rival and agreeing to terms Saturday with Radmanovic, a three-point shooting forward who has made a career of stretching defenses.

The Clippers reacted swiftly after Radmanovic and Cassell apparently reneged on agreements to stay with them, then reaching terms with the sharpshooting Thomas and making a push for free-agent guard Bobby Jackson as a backup plan in case Cassell left.

But Cassell, the 36-year-old point guard and undisputed on-court general of the Clippers last season, late Saturday agreed to a two-year, $13-million contract, keeping intact a Clippers nucleus that lasted longer than the Lakers in this year's playoffs.