Bibby still waiting for Kings' ransom

[#1MavsFan]

Friday, August 9
Bibby still waiting for Kings' ransom
By Frank Hughes
Special to ESPN.com
While contract negotiations in Seattle are beginning to reach a point where Rashard Lewis is going to feel forced to take a three-year, $15 million deal from Dallas and leave the Sonics -- who'll go from surprise playoff participants to re-rebuilders -- there is another example of the New Economy taking place in Sacramento.

Mike Bibby may look for big bucks elsewhere.
Apparently, negotiations with Mike Bibby are not going well, either, and he is going to get no where near the maximum contract that many speculated he would receive after his wonderful performance in the Western Conference finals.

Instead, several sources have indicated that Bibby is likely to sign a one-year deal with the Sacramento Kings and re-enter free agency again next summer, when about six or eight teams -- including the Sonics if they lose Lewis -- will have significant room under the salary cap.

As for Seattle, the signings of Raef LaFrentz and Shawn Marion could not have come at a worse time for them. As they are offering $60 million over seven seasons to Lewis, all he needs to do is point to the $69 million LaFrentz received and the $79 million (over six seasons, for a $13.16 million average) Marion is getting as evidence the Sonics are vastly undervaluing him.

Stop the Vin-sanity already
Here are several reasons why Vin Baker is going to fail in Boston.

In a story in the Boston Globe last weekend, Baker's father, James, was quoted as saying "certain people" within the organization were bad influences on Vin, as if Gary Payton physically forced Baker into the limo at 3 in the morning to go out clubbing.

Then, Vin Baker told the Globe: "Nate (McMillan) couldn't stand me," and that "internal problems" in the organization were the reason why his reputation and his game faltered.

Until both Vin Baker and his family stop blaming other people and take responsibility for what happened to Baker in Seattle, he is going to continue living the lie, and he is never going to become the player he thinks he is.

Frank Hughes, who covers the NBA for the Tacoma (Wash.) News-Tribune, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.

[#1MavsFan]

Magic sign F Ryan Humphrey
SportsTicker

ORLANDO, Florida (Ticker) -- The Orlando Magic on Friday signed former Notre Dame forward Ryan Humphrey, the 19th pick in this year's draft.

Per terms of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement, Humphrey will receive at least $2.83 million over three seasons. The club holds an option for a fourth year.

The Magic acquired Humphrey and the rights to center Jamal Sampson for the rights to center Curtis Borchardt in a draft-day deal with the Utah Jazz.

At 6-8, 235 pounds, Humphrey offers the Magic another body up front. He spent two seasons at Notre Dame, averaging 16.6 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 2.77 blocks in 60 games.

Orlando has few bangers in the post. Andrew DeClerq and Horace Grant -- a pair of 6-10 forwards -- are the team's most formidable players in the frontcourt.

Veteran center Patrick Ewing is expected to retire. Also, this offseason, the Magic traded undersized center Don Reid to the Denver Nuggets while swapping draft picks.

Humphrey emerged as one of the best big men in the country as a sophomore with the Fighting Irish, leading the team in scoring (18.9 points per game), rebounding (10.9) and blocks (2.81). He ranked ninth in the nation in boards and 18th in blocks.

A member of the All-Big East Conference First Team in 2001-02, Humphrey established a single-season school record with 87 blocks. He owns the highest career average in school history with 2.77 per game.

Humphrey joins a team that includes former Notre Dame star Pat Garrity, who re-signed a five-year deal in the offseason.