Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports: FC Barcelona, Efthimios Rentzias' team in Spain, decided against picking up an option on his contract yesterday, clearing the way for him to open negotiations with the Sixers.

"They had to notify me in writing by 6 p.m. [yesterday] if they were exercising their option," said Keith Glass, Rentzias' agent. "That didn't happen."

Instead, Barcelona was required to pay Rentzias a buyout fee that will net him nearly $200,000. Had he remained in Spain, his contract for next season would have been worth nearly $1 million.

"I think the people over there think he'll still re-sign with them, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen," Glass said.

"I hope things work out," Sixers general manager Billy King said via e-mail. "They look good right now."

In other news: NBA teams can begin speaking with free agents Monday, and players can begin signing July 16. It remains to be seen whether the Sixers consider either Boston forward Rodney Rogers or Minnesota guard Chauncey Billups as priorities.

"Rodney thinks a lot of Philly, and wants to stay in the East," said James "Butch" Williams, Rogers' agent. "I think Philly is one place he'd seriously consider."

Andy Miller, Billups' agent, said, "From our perspective, Philadelphia would be on a short list. If they don't call, I'll call them. I will definitely inquire."

Billups, who opted out after the second year of a three-year contract, is thought to have an interest in returning to Denver, his hometown.

"I just couldn't believe it," Claxton said. "I was like, 'What?' It took a while for it to sink in."

On Thursday, Claxton was beginning to warm to the deal that sent him to the Spurs in return for Mark Bryant and the draft rights to John Salmons and Randy Holcomb. After living in the Northeast his entire life, a move west couldn't be all bad, he said.

"I'm kind of looking forward to it now," Claxton said by phone from Philadelphia. "It gives me a new city to experience."

Claxton will meet his new team for the first time next week when the Spurs bring him in for a physical. Saying good-bye to Philadelphia won't be easy.

Johnny Ludden of the San Antonio Express News writes that the Spurs had hoped Yugoslavian center Nenad Krstic would fall to them at the 26th pick, but was taken two slots before by New Jersey.  So, they pulled the trigger on a pre-arranged trade with Philadelphia to shore up the point guard position.

The Spurs traded the John Salmons (#26), Randy Holcomb (#57), and veteran Mark Bryant to Philadelphia for point guard Speedy Claxton.  The Spurs hope Claxton can fill in the backup point guard spot for Terry Porter who may retire.

The Spurs also picked Luis Scola with the 56th pick in the draft.  He is a friend of guard Emanuel Ginobili who will sign a contract with the Spurs this offseason to come to the States.  Scola will likely remain in Europe for now.

The Raptors have a plan for the draft, but the Warriors could get in the way. Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports that the Raptors are interested in grabbing a point guard with the 20th pick in the draft. Dan Dickau or Frank Williams are projected to be available at that spot. But with the Warriors jockeying to get the 16th pick, there is a chance they could steal the Rators? thunder.

A handful of league and team sources say the Warriors are trying to obtain the 16th pick from the Sixers in tomorrow's draft to select one of the guards the Raptors covet, a move that could trigger Toronto to dump its 20th selection for a player, a pick further down in the first round or a combination of second-round and future picks.

Moving down in the draft is not necessarily a bad thing.

"Some people think that from our pick down, you can get a similar player further down the draft," assistant GM Bob Zuffelato said yesterday after the Raptors held their final private workout for players at the Air Canada Centre. "If we can gain an advantage by moving down, we'd do it."

The Warriors/Sixers deal could include players such as Derrick Coleman and Larry Hughes or Erick Dampier but it could also just be a swap of picks since the Sixers owe the Warriors a first-rounder in 2005 from an earlier trade. The Warriors would then use the Philadelphia pick ? or have the Sixers make the selection for them as part of a deal that won't be announced until the free agent market opens July 16 ? to choose one of the point guards the Raptors are interested in.

Vittorio Tafur of the Oakland Tribune reports that Larry Hughes may have some value after all. After failing to convert Hughes into a point guard, his trade value has plummeted. Well, two days before the NBA Draft, Hughes may have a little trade value left after all. He may even help Golden State land a point guard, league sources said.

Philadelphia might be offering its first-round pick (No.16) and forward Derrick Coleman for Hughes and another player that would make the deal work financially. The 76ers would make the 16th pick for Golden State and select either Gonzaga point guard Dan Dickau or Illinois point guard Frank Williams and send him to the Warriors. Golden State, as part of the deal, would also relinquish its rights to Philadelphia's first-round pick in 2005.

Coleman, entering the last year of his contract, made $8.7million last season. Hughes is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Hughes would have to be signed, then traded. The Warriors could make up the difference in salaries in the trade by including centers Erick Dampier or Adonal Foyle, forwards Chris Mills or Danny Fortson or guard Bob Sura. They all make more than $4.5million a season.

Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune gazes into the future to see what the
Bulls may look for in free agency. Negotiations begin July 1, and signings can start July 16. And this should be the year for the Bulls.

The Bulls had a ton of cap room in 2000 and couldn?t land the big-name free agents they wanted. This may cause them to go all out this summer and not wait for the superstar free agent class of 2003. They may be only one player away from the playoffs and having one of the most athletic teams in the East for years to come.

That player? Toronto free agent Keon Clark.

"He's the best free agent out there," said one league general manager. "He's athletic, long, had a good playoff, can run the court, plays (power forward and center). He can shove [Tyson] Chandler maybe to (small forward). He'd be great for them."

The Raptors already have more than $50 million in salaries committed for next season without re-signing Clark. Retaining him would put them well above the luxury-tax threshold, and they insist they won't pay the tax. Plus Clark was one of the most vocal Raptors who complained about the favored treatment of Vince Carter, at least privately.

The Knicks and 76ers are said to be interested, but the Bulls actually are more attractive for several reasons. They're putting together a good young nucleus with Chandler, Eddy Curry and possibly Williams, and they may have salary-cap room available. Clark is a restricted free agent, so the Raptors can match an offer because Clark has so-called "Bird rights."

Marc Berman of the New York Post reports that the Knicks may make a play for Toronto?s Keon Clark in the offseason. If the Knicks pick a shooting guard in the draft, look for their GM Scott Layden to try to sign a free agent big man. Clark is on the top of his wish list.

The shot-blocking 6-11 sixth man is hardly a lock to re-sign with the cost conscious Raptors and can be had for the mid-level cap exception ($4.75M). The Sixers are also believed to be interested in Clark. The Knicks may not be very interested in Clark if Maryland power forward Chris Wilcox falls to the Knicks with the seventh pick in the draft.

The Knicks? cap situation makes it impossible for them to bid on a big-money free agent. The Raptors, within $3 million of the luxury-tax threshold, won't break the bank for Clark, wondering if he's reached his potential. He's got a suspect work ethic and reportedly doesn't get along with Vince Carter. The Raptors already overpaid last summer to keep Jerome Williams, who didn't have a good year, and may be gun-shy.

Several NBA teams will be looking to split their $4.7 million exception on more than one player, but Clark could be worth the entire amount. Other free-agent big men the Knicks are expected to have on their shopping list include Utah's rookie starting center Jarron Collins, twin brother of the Nets' Jason, Wizards power forward Popeye Jones, Celtic sixth man Rodney Rogers and Minnesota center Radoslav Nesterovic.

Veteran Sixers guard Aaron McKie could miss at least the start of training camp after having arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday, ESPN.com is reporting.

McKie sat out 34 games due to injury last season, including four following surgery on the same shoulder.  He is expected to begin rehabilitation next week and will return to full activity in 3-4 months.

"The results of the surgical examination were very encouraging,'' said Sixers team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy, who assisted on the surgery.

The Heat are looking to free agency to fill their small forward hole. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that although the Heat own the #10 pick in the upcoming draft, they don?t think any of the players available at that spot will are experienced enough to make an immediate impact. They may be forced to use a portion of their mid-class exception on a free agent three? even though they will be close to the luxury tax limit.

Options include Donyell Marshall, Rodney Rogers, Bryon Russell, Devean George, Lee Nailon, Walt Williams, Tyrone Nesby and the Heat's Jim Jackson. Bonzi Wells, who is a restricted free agent with Postland, would like to talk to the Heat after July 1st, when free agent negotiations are allowed. Acquiring Wells would likely require a sign-and-trade with Brian Grant as potential bait.

One NBA general manager said that there is a possibility that Wells ends up in Philadelphia with Dale Davis in exchange for Dikembe Mutombo.

As for the #10 pick, one GM said high-scoring Memphis combo guard Dujuan Wagner could slip to the Heat. The top prospects are Yao Ming, Jay Williams, Mike Dunleavy Jr. (if he stays in the draft before Wednesday's deadline), Caron Butler, Drew Gooden and Chris Wilcox.

Wagner, Jeffries, Woods, Tskitishvili, power forwards Maybyner Hilario and Amare Stoudemire and center Curtis Borchardt are also considered lottery picks. The Knicks, Clippers and Suns select directly before Miami, and two of those teams (New York and Phoenix) are targeting power rotation players.

Wagner, 6-2, has declined to work out for the Heat or any team picking worse than eighth.

Peter Vecsey does take time out from polishing his comedy routine to report some NBA news in his New York Post column.

Danny Fortson is expendable in Golden State after Antawn Jamison decided that the power forward would be his position. Orlando has interest in Fortson.

Jamison has been rumored to be heading to Philadelphia in exchange for Derrick Coleman and the #16 pick. Vecsey says those rumors are false because not only are the Sixers not interested in Jamison, and they can?t trade their first round pick until after the draft and finally, Jamison?s contract also makes him very difficult to trade.

The Suns are trying to acquire a third first-rounder (they own #9 and #22) or, at the very least, would like to upgrade one of the two picks. The Cavaliers on the other hand, would like to deal away the #6 pick, but like the Sixers, they can?t trade it until after the draft.

Neither Karl Malone, nor his agent have asked the Jazz for a 2-year contract extension, but Jazz owner Larry Miller has already answered. "We'll have to take a look at where we are and who we are when his contract expires. I can't tell I would do it. I can't say I wouldn't do it."

Finally, John Stockton is a virtual lock to play out the last year of his contract. ?Why in the world would the 40-year-old retire after having such a good year, finishing (the last 20 games) so superior and outplaying Mike Bibby - who subsequently busted Steve Nash, Nick Van Exel, Derek Fisher and Kobe - three out of four times??