The Lakers are engaged in talks to promote Glenn Carraro to assistant general manager, according to multiple sources.

Carraro spent last season as general manager of the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

Carraro helped guide the D-Fenders to a league-record 38 wins.

Jonas Valanciunas opened preliminary discussions about a release from his team in Lithuania, sources said.

Valanciunas is expected to pay the $2.4-million clause that will free him from the remaining year of his contract.

The Raptors likely will agree to pay $550,000 of that -- the most allowed by international rules.

Vinny Del Negro will return as head coach of the Clippers for the 12-13 season.

The Clippers held an option on Del Negro's contract.

Del Negro guided the Clippers to the second round of the playoffs, but had been subject of rumors of his impending dismissal throughout the season.

The Portland Trail Blazers, the Idaho Stampede, and the NBA Development League announced today that the Trail Blazers and Stampede have entered into a single affiliation partnership beginning with the 2012-13 season. Portland will be Idaho’s sole NBA affiliate and will have full control over the team’s basketball operations.   

This partnership, also referred to as the “hybrid affiliation,” allows for NBA teams to secure control of, and cover the expenses related to, the basketball operations of an NBA D-League team while partnering with existing local ownership, which maintains responsibility for the team’s off-the-court business operations.   

The Warriors and Jazz were working on a trade involving the conveyance of a first round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Golden State gets to keep their pick if it is in the top-seven, but it will be dealt to the Jazz if it is No. 8 or lower.

Sources say trade talks between the two sides are all but dead.

The Warriors have a 72.66% chance of keeping the pick based on odds released by the NBA.

The Orlando Magic have announced that the team has waived guard Von Wafer.

Wafer (6’5”, 209, 7/21/85) appeared in 33 games (one start) with Orlando this season, averaging 5.9 ppg. and 1.4 rpg. in 14.2 minpg. He also played in one playoff game, tallying six points and one rebound.

Ryan Blake, NBA director of scouting, said that Anthony Davis is the best big man to come along in years.

“My father (longtime basketball scout Marty Blake) always said a center who can dominate comes along about once every 25 years; we’re talking about guys who can change the game at both ends of the floor,’’ said Blake. “You could see that in Dwight Howard; that he might take some time to develop, but he would have that effect.

“Davis might be a power forward, but he’s so long and athletic he changes the game to that extent.’’

Davis displays a higher level of maturity and teamwork than should be expected of a player his age.

“He’s bright. He’s disciplined. He’s mature. He’s able to make other players better with his presence. He’s focused on winning and he gets the job done,’’ Blake said.

Tyler Zeller and Meyers Leonard are among six players set to workout for the Blazers on Tuesday.

Portland officials will also meet with Garrett Sim, Casper Ware, Kent Bazemore, and Kris Joseph.

Prospects will be tested on a variety of basketball drills and they also will sit down for one-on-one chats with team personnel.

“We’ve been watching a lot of these guys for a long time,” Blazers interim general manager Chad Buchanan said. “So we’ve got strong opinions on the majority of these guys. But this is the time of year where you get to know them as people, a time when you can address any questions you have with them. We feel good about where we’re at in the (draft evaluation) process and we’re looking forward to getting some of these guys in our gym.”

The Blazers plan to host between 35 and 40 prospects between now and the draft.

Andre Drummond has lost 22 pounds since the end of his freshman season at Connecticut.

Drummond now weighs 268 pounds, allowing him to have excellent lateral quickness for a player his size.