Bill Duffy, the agent for free-agent Steve Nash, said that his client would consider signing with the Suns, which drafted him in 1996.

Referring to the fact that the Sunds traded Nash once already, Duffy said, "I think it still would be a good fit."

The Suns sent Nash to Dallas, where he became an All-Star, for the draft pick that became Shawn Marion.

The Suns could be a fallback option for Nash, whose parents live in the Phoenix area.  He would prefer to stay in Dallas.  "But it's got to be reciprocal,? Duffy said.  "They've got to want him back."

Also, a source close to Mehmet Okur confirmed the player's interest in the Suns.

Okur, 25, is a 6-foot-11, 250-pound forward/center from Turkey who averaged 9.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in the regular season in 22 minutes per game.

Martin McNeal writes that only the Kings could reverse their scoring reputation and now be known as a defensive force.  

But their chances to emerge from their series with the Timberwolves are also going in reverse.

The Kings defended everybody but Latrell Sprewell in their Game 5 loss to the Wolves in Minnesota, giving the Wolves the 3-2 advantage and pushing the Kings to the bring of elimination.

Sprewell was driving hard to the basket and applying pressure to the Kings? defense.  He did this repeatedly and saw the good results he wanted.  

"He gets himself going by attacking the basket, and then he's making shots," King coach Rick Adelman said.  "But if we keep shooting 33 percent, like I keep saying, it's going to be hard to win. We've got to get an offensive game going here, and we don't have a lot of time to do it."

Game 6 is Sunday afternoon at Arco Arena.  The Kings will try to force a decisive Game 7 at the Target Center.

It could be a case of bad timing for Steve Nash.

Nash saw his teammates rewarded handsomely by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.  And he had given six high-quality years of service to his team.  So Nash opted out of the final year of his contract.  

Michael Finley?s $102 million contract was not a bad indicator.  Neither was the $79 million deal that Dirk Nowitzki had received.

Nash gave up the right to $6 million in the final year of his deal gambling that he would max out.  But suddenly, the maximum contracts are not coming as easily as they once were.

"A few things happened," Cuban said. "Television revenues went down, 9-11 happened, and the ability to raise ticket prices pretty much disappeared.  And then the luxury tax kicked in."

Discussing maximum deals in the NBA, Bill Duffy, Nash?s agent, said, "There are at least half a dozen or so guys who got them who probably shouldn't have.  What's happened is owners are being more cognizant of where they are obligating their money."

Nash will have to wait and see what the marketplace dictates.  Even though he is one of the top point guards in the game, his long-term value over the life of a multi-year deal will now be carefully considered.

If he gets it, a maximum contract would start Nash at approximately $13 million next season.

Following the results of the May 26th lottery, Orlando Magic executives expect to have at least couple of teams knocking on their doors to inquire about the availability of the pick, and GM John Weisbrod makes it no secret that the pick may indeed be available for veteran help.

One of the more interesting trade scenarios that already has grown legs involves the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs would send a combination package involving forward Antoine Walker in exchange for that pick and taking the contract of injured Grant Hill.

Antoine Walker is coming off of a dissapointing season with Dallas, after he was acquired in an off-season trade involving Raef Lafrentz, while Grant Hill sat out the entire season following the 4th surgery on his left ankle.

Orlando Magic have the highest chance of winning the lottery at 25 percent.

His assistant coaching job in Dallas might be in doubt but that might not be a bad thing for Del Harris.

According to two sources, Harris is a leading canadiate to become head coach of the Atlanta Hawks.

Hawks GM Billy Knight denied the speculation and said he had "not spoken to a single soul."

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Harris could not be reached for comment. Howver, based on past requests, it is likely that Cuban would give the Hawks to talk with Harris if they wanted to.

Other canadiates mentioned include former Hawks coach Mike Fratello, Grizzlies assistant Lionel Hollins, and Hawks assistant Larry Smith.

"Harris, 63, has been with the Mavericks for four years as an assistant and compiled a 556-457 record in 13 seasons as head coach of the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers."

Marquis Daniels was relatively unknown at this time last year, being overlooked through the NBA draft before latching on with the Dallas Mavericks.  Now he holds the key to the team's offseason.

Having no cap money and no first round pick, the Mavericks have a little manouvering power to attract big man help.  They have their mid-level exception, but according to President of basketball operations Donnie Nelson this will be used to work out a 'sensible agreement' with Daniels.

If the Mavericks have to commit more than half of that to Daniels, as expected, that will leave precious little to pursue any free agents, leaving trades as the most viable path to improving.

"The way we see it, from a deal-making perspective, we're in a pretty good position because we have more pieces to throw at people than we had in the past," Nelson said.

Those pieces that Nelson is referring to are Antoine Walker, Antawn Jamieson and Danny Fortson.  These are the pieces the Mavericks most likely will be using to improve via trade, protecting their core three of Michael Finley, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash.

"We're as loaded as anybody to make the next big deal," Nelson said.

With his team's dissappointing first round exit from this year's NBA playoffs, Mavericks forward Antonie Walker knows he will be on the block this summer but not necessarily because of his play.

Walker is scheduled to make $14.6 million in 2004-05 and will be in the final year of his contract, which is a very valuable asset to many teams.

It is speculated that the Mavericks will use Walker and his large expiring contract to acquire a much needed inside presense.

Walker knows this is a very real possibility and if the Mavericks are going to deal him, he would like to know sooner rather than later.

"My first preference or choice will be to stay here with the Mavericks. But I know a lot of teams are going to call, and not necessarily to sign me but because I will come off the cap at a high number. I'm very aware of the business and what comes along with it."

"I'll be prepared for it," Walker said. "Hopefully, if I am traded, they can get something done and I'll know where I'm going in July, not October 20th like last year."

After his team's Game 5 and season-ending to the Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban denied the season long rumors that head coach Don Nelson would be replaced by Pat Riley this summer.

"Let's talk about Pat Riley," Cuban said. "I will absolutely, positively guarantee you without any question, I'll put any amount of money on it, that Pat Riley is not going to be the coach of the Dallas Mavericks next year. I fully expect Nellie to be the coach next year. I don't see any reason to change that."

Cuban also expects guards Steve Nash, who almost certainly will opt out of his contract, and Marquis Daniels to return to the team next season.