ESPN.com reports: The Los Angeles Lakers agreed Thursday to a two-year deal with 6-foot-10 forward Stanislav Medvedenko.

Marc Fleisher, Medvedenko's agent, confirmed his client had reached an agreement with the Lakers on Wednesday night. Medvedenko, who is currently in Ukraine, must still take a physical before the deal becomes official.

"He's quite pleased to be returning to the Lakers," Fleisher said. "He's looking forward to playing a more extensive role next season with the club."

Medvedenko averaged 4.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game for the Lakers last season.

A telling clue to Bryon Russell's future may lie in the real-estate listings. The nine-year Jazz forward has moved out of his Sandy home and put it on the market.

He may be hiring a realtor in Dallas soon.
 
Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has discussed signing the Jazz veteran to a multiyear contract, Cuban confirmed to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Russell became a free agent July 1 when his four-year Jazz contract, which paid him $5.14 million last season, ran out.

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.

After visiting Washington, Chicago, Minnesota, New Jersey as part of his free agency tour Los Angeles free agent has ended where he began, agreeing to a four-year, $21 million deal with Lakers ESPN is reporting.

The agreement was confirmed by his agent Mark Bartelstein on Wednesday afternoon, confirming that George received the Lakers full mid-level exception.

"He probably took a few years less than he could've gotten elsewhere," Bartelstein said. "But this is where he wanted to be. The Lakers were his first choice."

With several roster spots still to fill, Jazz officials did a little recruiting Tuesday.
   Devean George, a 6-foot-8 reserve guard/forward for the Lakers, toured Salt Lake City with coach Jerry Sloan and vice president of basketball operations Kevin O'Connor, visited the team's under-construction practice facility and considered the possibility of wearing a Jazz uniform next season.
   
George, who averaged 7.1 points and was the world champions' top-scoring reserve, became a free agent when the Lakers failed to pick up his option. He is considering signing with several teams, according to the Los Angeles Times, including Washington, Minnesota and the Lakers.
   
The Jazz have had interest in George since the day he became a free agent. "He's a guy who seems like he's going to get better," O'Connor said. "We wanted to get him in here and have him look around. He knows we're interested."

Fred Kerber of the New York Post reports that Devean George can be added to the Jason Kidd Admiration Society. George is in New Jersey meeting with the Nets who are looking to try and lure the 6-8 small forward out of L.A.

In a change from the norm, it was actually the player that set up the meeting. George was so impressed with Kidd?s play in the Finals, that he called the Nets to try to gauge their interest in him. He met with the Nets even after the Timberwolves reportedly offered him all of their mid-class exception in a 6-year, $35 million deal.

George has already visited Chicago and Minnesota, and left for Utah after his meeting with Nets coach Byron Scott and President Rod Thorn. "There is a certain mutual attraction," offered George's agent, Mark Bartelstein. "That's why they had the meeting. It was a good meeting, but other than that it's way too early in the process to predict anything. The Nets certainly play an up-tempo game which is Devean's style. There's not a more athletic 3 out there and he has made himself a great defensive player."

Kerber predicts that the Nets could offer George a 2-year, $10 million deal with the mid-class exception, but playing time could be a problem. If the Nets were to sign George, one of Keith Van Hors, Richard Jefferson or Kenyon Martin would lose some significant minutes, unless a trade can be worked out to free up some roster space. Van Horn is always the subject of trade rumors, but his large contract makes him difficult to deal.

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.

Tim Povtak of the Orlando Sentinel reports: The preliminary trade talks they have had involving Danny Fortson, Nazr Mohammed and Marcus Fizer -- any of whom could improve their frontcourt for next season -- will be put on hold until the Orlando Magic get a closer look next week at center Rashard Griffith.

Griffith, the 6-11 center from Wisconsin who has played in Europe the last six years, was obtained on draft night from Milwaukee. In what was a mild surprise, he agreed to be part of the Magic's summer-league team that was designed mostly for rookies and younger free agents.

Also playing will be second-year center/forward Steven Hunter, and both will be evaluated closely before the Magic sign any free agents or make any trades.

"With both of them playing, it surely will paint a better picture for us what our needs really are," said Magic General Manager John Gabriel. "It will help us move forward with moves we need to make, whether it's signings or trades. We'll have a better idea after the summer league."

The Magic finished last season with a glaring need for more frontcourt help, yet they believe Hunter could be vastly improved and provide some of that help. And they also believe that Griffith, 27, might be as good a center as anyone available through free agency or in trade this summer.

The Magic, in the meantime, have been talking with various free agents and other teams about centers and forwards already under contract.

First, the trade talk.

Chicago is asking for Mike Miller in any deal for Marcus Fizer and/or Jamal Crawford.

Atlanta would likely want Miller for Mohammed.

However, Povtak mentions that Fortson is expendable and can be had without Orlando giving up Mike Miller but for future draft picks (which Orlando has plenty of) and lesser players.

Now, the free agent front.

The Magic also are looking at the option of not making a trade and strengthening their frontcourt by signing veteran Charles Oakley to a one-year deal, which would allow them to maintain significant salary cap flexibility for next summer.

Oakley, 38, isn't the player he once was, but he still could provide the toughness the Magic need, along with some help in rebounding. Although his first choice is to join the Los Angeles Lakers, they have been luckwarm with their interest. His second choice is Orlando, and he has told the Magic he would sign for the veteran minimum of $1 million.

"Money is not an issue with him anymore," said Billy Diamond, Oakley's business manager. "It's about winning."

Stephen F. Holder of the Miami Herald reports: Like most NBA teams, the Heat was burning up the phone lines Monday, the first day negotiations with free agents were permitted.

The representative for Lakers free agent Devean George, who could potentially fill the need for a starting small forward, confirmed his client was among those the Heat inquired about on Day 1.

''I think Devean would fit in nicely there,'' George's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said. ``The type of defense Devean plays would work well with the type of defense they play with [coach] Pat Riley.''

But adding a player such as George would cost Miami, especially considering the team is on the verge of being penalized with the luxury tax, which will be assessed on payrolls of about $53-54 million and more next season.

However, Riley has hinted at a willingness by owner Micky Arison to incur the tax, provided it would bring an impact player. Giving George some or all of the team's $4.6 million cap exception would almost guarantee a luxury tax.

''It's nice,'' Bartelstein said of the Heat's financial flexibility. ``They're a competitive franchise. They want to win and they'll do what they have to.''

Teams may begin signing player contracts on July 16.