Mitch Lawrence of the Daily News reports that the Knicks are still in the market for a point guard. After Andre Miller and Baron Davis were removed from the equation, they are looking at Nick Van Exel.

Knicks GM Scott Layden is expected to make a play for Van Exel. But as of yesterday, Layden hadn't contacted Dallas. The Mavs are looking to improve their defense with someone who can defend in the paint and rebound? someone like the Knicks? Kurt Thomas. Because of the differences in salaries, any deal involving Van Exel and Thomas would also include more salary going to the Mavericks.

One Western Conference executive who recently talked to the Mavs said that Dallas fully intends on keeping Van Exel, and would consider moving him only if doing so can significantly improve the team. "They think Van Exel will help them a ton," the official said.

Marc Stein of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Dallas Mavericks are currently one of two teams vying for the services of free agent swingman Rashard Lewis. After receiving a whirlwind tour of the Dallas area and recruiting pitches from Michael Finley and Steve Nash, Rashard Lewis was impressed. While he didn?t promise anything, he definitely likes the Mavericks.

It's probably going to be between Seattle and Dallas," Lewis said. "The Mavericks have a real chance just because of the way they treated me and my family. Everything was first class."

Lewis is discontent with the offers coming from the Supersonics and is looking for other options. Mavs owner Mark Cuban believes Lewis is sincere when he says he?s interested in Dallas. He doesn?t think of this as a negotiation ploy to raise Seattle?s offer.

"I don't think Rashard's that type of guy," Cuban said. "I know he's very serious. This is his chance to play close to home and be near his family [in Houston]. Seattle had every chance to do something before he got here."

Cuban also acknowledges that his team is a long shot to sign Lewis. It?s unrealistic to expect a guy to accept a 3-year, $15 million contract if Seattle is offering $60 or $70 million. Especially considering Lewis turned down a six-year offer in the $50 million range from Toronto in the summer of 2000 to stay in Seattle on the promise of future riches.

"[History] is going to make it harder to do that again, but I think I'm going to do what's best for me and go where I feel most comfortable," Lewis said. "There are only three elite teams in the league ? Dallas, Sacramento and the Lakers. I think I'm the missing piece to their [Dallas'] puzzle."

Marc Stein of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Mavericks pulled out all the stops in entertaining Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis. The free-agent forward was greeted by a couple hundred well-wishers at the airport, shown to his would-be locker at American Airlines Center housing a LEWIS No. 43 jersey and treated to the sound of faux play-by-play from Mavericks radio voice Mark Followill while he signed for a pack of yelping kids.

"I'm very impressed," Lewis said. "I'm still impressed."

The Mavericks are ultimately looking for a signed offer sheet from Lewis. They are offering their entire mid-class exception, totaling $15 million, for 3-years, but they know that they are a long shot in the Lewis sweepstakes.

The Sonics have the ability to pay much more than any other team and have reportedly offered more than $60 million over 7-years. Houston can offer the same amount ad Dallas, but has the advantage of being Lewis? hometown.

Mavs owner Mark Cuban said that he wasn?t going to pressure Lewis into a decision. "I'm not even going to try" to get a read on Lewis' intentions.? Cuban said that the ?full-court courtship? was merely a meeting to answer Lewis? questions.

Cuban, though, might have scored one victory already. Asked if leaving Seattle came down to a choice between the Mavericks and his hometown Rockets, Lewis gave the advantage to the former. "I think Dallas has a better organization than Houston," Lewis said.

Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Sixers are finally ready to make some moves in the free agent market. The Sixers will announce, perhaps as soon as today the signing of Dallas free agent Greg Buckner and Magic free agent Monty Williams.

The deal with Buckner has been agreed upon for a while now, but the Sixers and Mavericks have been exploring sign and trade possibilities. It now looks as though a trade is unlikely. By trading for Buckner, the Sixers would still have their whole $4.5 million mid-class exception in tact to go after another free agent like Rodney Rogers or Keon Clark. Without the trade, Buckner will take $2.4 million of the exception, leaving only a little more than $2.1 million for another free agent.

Jasner reports that the Mavs were seeking a taker for Tariq Abdul-Wahad?s $33 million contract. The Sixers were willing to trade Matt Harpring, but Wahad?s contract would mean more Salary would have to be included from Philadelphia.

Willimas will sign as a minimum salary player, which means the Sixers will still have their $1.4 million exception available if they choose to use it. Orlando Magic GM John Gabriel will be sorry to see Williams go. "It's a steal," said Gabriel. "If we weren't faced with the luxury-tax situation, the way most teams are, he'd have a job with us forever.

"He's one of the best [as an influence] in the locker room; he's coming off his best year as a pro; he's one of the best smaller low-post players. He was always able to get to the basket, but now he's able to finish. He's not a very good shooter, but he's a pretty good scorer and able to defend against shooting guards, small forwards and some power forwards."

While not the ?big name? acquisitions the Sixer fans are waiting for, Buckner and Williams will increase the depth on the Philadelphia bench and improve the team defense.

Marc Stein of the Dallas Morning News reports that Seattle free agent Rashard Lewis is going to talk to the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday. Lewis is seeking a 7-year deal worth $80-90 million dollars. The Sonics are reluctant to dedicate that much money to a player with the looming luxury tax and are offering a package worth $50-55 million.

It is not known if the Mavericks have a legitimate chance at signing Lewis. The most they can offer is their $4.45 million mid-class exception, which would total $15 million for 3 years.

"Rashard would add a lot to our team," Mavs owner Mark Cuban said. "Obviously having him at small forward and forcing a power forward to guard Dirk [Nowitzki] would be great for us. I don't know if we have a great chance, but when you come down to it, Rashard is the type that wants a chance to win a ring."

If Lewis really does intend to sign elsewhere, the Rockets will probably be considered as well. They also have their mid-class exception and they have the distinct advantage of being Lewis? hometown. Lewis has said repeatedly that he would love a Rockets homecoming if he doesn't return to Seattle.

Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Sixers are close to finalizing a deal with Dallas free agent Greg Buckner. Sources say that the deal is expected to be for $18 million over six years. The Details probably won?t be completed until next week.

By using a little more than half of their middle class exception, the Sixers will still have about $2.1 million to use for another free agent.

Buckner was being courted by the Sixers and the Lakers. When it was reported yesterday that the Lakers would re-sign Devean George, Buckner?s decision became a little easier. Even though his playing time has been limited by injuries, the Sixers like his ability to defend three different positions.

There are indications that the Sixers and Mavs could work out a sign and trade deal. If that happens, the Sixers will still have their entire $4.5 million exception to go after someone like Celtics free agent, Rodney Rodgers.

The Sixers and Rogers have shown mutual interest and with Boston limiting their offer to the $1.4 million exception, there is a good chance that Rogers is looking for a new team.

It looks like Mark Cuban's pockets are not endless afterall.  According to ESPN it has been reported that center Raef LaFrentz has agreed to terms with the Dallas Mavericks on a seven-year contract worth $60 million, over $30 million short of his original maximum salary contract he was seeking before being traded from the Denver Nuggets.

An announcement is hoped for later this week.

Jazz swingman Bryon Russell may be on the verge of signing a multiyear contract with the Mavericks.

Owner Mark Cuban has talked to Russell's agent, Dwight Manley, about acquiring the nine-year veteran. The Russell negotiations could be completed as soon as today.

Cuban would not disclose what type of contract Russell is seeking. Last season, Russell, the 45th pick of the 1993 NBA Draft, earned $5,142,856 with the Jazz.

"I can't talk about contracts or specific players yet," Cuban said. "But we have talked to his agent about several things."

Jodie Valade of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Mavs are close to resigning their biggest free agent.

Raef LaFrentz is near to an agreement to terms with the Mavericks. Free agents can?t sign contracts until Wednesday, but Mavs? owner Mark Cuban said he is swilling to give LaFrentz the maximum 7-year deal. The contract is expected to be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $60 million.

The future of the Mavericks? other free agents, Eduardo Najera, Wang Zhi-Zhi and Greg Buckner isn?t so clear.

Cuban is waiting for Zhi-Zhi to hire an agent before they enter into negotiations with him.

Buckner is getting some interest from other teams around the league including the Sixers and Lakers and is not expected to return.

Najera is looking for a contract befitting of a top reserve, like Jerome Williams in Toronto who was given a 6-year, $41 million deal last summer. Cuban met with Najera?s agent, Dan Fegan last week to discuss Najera's contract, and has said he wants to limit spending where possible because the Mavericks are well into luxury tax territory.

Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that the Sixers are stepping up their efforts to sign Mavericks? free agent Greg Buckner. They have started to discuss contract terms with his agent but have not made a formal offer.

The Sixers plan is to sign two players with the $4.6 million mid-class exception. It is expected that Buckner would get a portion of that exception. They will still have their $1.4 million exception available.

The Sixers are also trying to avoid paying the luxury tax that should kick in next summer. The tax will be paid, dollar-for-dollar by any team that exceeds the trigger point. That point is expected to be in the $52 - $54 million range.  

The Sixers also have been in touch with the agents for, among others, Boston's Rodney Rogers, the Lakers' Devean George, Toronto's Keon Clark, Chicago's Charles Oakley and Miami's Chris Gatling. They have yet to make a formal offer to anyone. They are, like most teams, moving cautiously through free agency because of the tax.