Matt Bonner expects to have a contract offer in hand the day the NBA lifts its free agent-signing moratorium but there is little or no chance it will come from the Raptors.

The restricted free agent and the team remain far apart in the financial terms of a new contract and it's apparent it will take an offer from a third team to put pressure on the Raptors to match it or let the popular, if limited, forward go.

Bonner's agent told the Star last week he had three teams interested in his 25-year-old client and Bonner said last night he thinks he'll get some offer right away.

"There might be more, there's been some interest in the last few days," he said before playing in the Steve Nash Charity Classic at the ACC last night.

Bonner and his agent are dismayed at the pace of talks with the Raptors, which have bogged down over money.

"We're trying to negotiate and it hasn't been reciprocated yet," he said.

Milt Palacio's agent, Andy Miller, said yesterday that his client is still pondering offers from several other clubs but believes the point guard favors the Nets.

"We've had conversations and an ongoing dialogue," Miller said, "but I can't say a deal is imminent or will be reached. Milt is analyzing other offers and has to sift through things. In my heart of hearts, I think he wants it to work out with the Nets . . . but we'll leave it in Milt's hands to weigh his options."

The Nets are believed to offer Palacio a two-year deal averaging about $1.25 million. Palacio averaged 5.8 points and 3.5 assists last season with Toronto, his fifth team in six seasons.

Toronto Raptors general manager Rob Babcock confirmed yesterday that Roko Ukic, the Croatian point guard the team selected with the 41st pick in the 2005 National Basketball Association draft, will continue his professional career in Europe for the time being.

"We knew there was a possibility he would sign with a team in Europe, so we've had a backup plan in the works," Babcock said. "This won't hurt us."

Ukic, 21, is expected to sign a four-year deal with Tau Ceramica of the Spanish league, Babcock said, although the deal hasn't been announced. The Raptors will retain Ukic's NBA rights.

The Toronto Raptors have been dealt a blow at point guard.

Roko Ukic, the 6-5 Croatian point guard taken 41st by Toronto in last month's NBA draft, has reportedly agreed to terms on a four-year contract with Tau Ceramica of the Spanish league, leaving the Raptors to scurry after a suitable backup to Rafer Alston for the coming season.

"We knew there was an offer out there, it wouldn't surprise me if he took it," Raptor general manager Rob Babcock said in a telephone interview last night. "It's not a bad thing overall, I would have liked to see him over here this year but we were prepared for this."

This comes as a bit of a shock as Ukic told a european just last week that he would sign with the Raptors.

Now with Alvin Williams not likely to recover in time from knee surgery, the Raptors are looking elsewhere and are close to signing the player Ukic will be replacing with Tau.

Babcock says that talks between the team and Jose Manuel Calderon are "progressing" and expects them to have a deal NBA's free-agent signing moratorium is lifted later this week.

That might not be enough though and it is possible the team will look to the free agent market for another point guard.

The NBA has pushed back the start of its free agent signing period, but the extra time may not help Matt Bonner reach a deal with the Raptors.

Kenny Grant, Bonner's agent, said yesterday three other teams have called to inquire about the Red Rocket, who is a restricted free agent.

Bonner, a fan favourite, and the Raptors reportedly are not close on a potential salary figure.

"Matt has certainly made an effort to meet them, but the team has done nothing from Day 1," Grant said.

Raptors free agent Donyell Marshall has agreed to terms with the Cavaliers, according to the New York Post.

NBA free agent negotiations began July 1, but free agents can't sign new contracts until July 22 (or now August 1st). Marshall's departure would come as little surprise. Raptors GM Rob Babcock has been vocal in his plans to go with a younger roster, and Marshall wasn't thrilled to be playing with the Raptors this past season.

The Wizards still plan to meet with veteran free agent forward Donyell Marshall this weekend, according to a team source. The Wizards could offer Marshall their mid-level exception of around $5.1 million.

Marshall averaged 11.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season with Chicago and Toronto.

The Toronto Raptors will be without their two first-round draft picks for games in the Minnesota summer league.

The team said yesterday that forwards Charlie Villanueva and Joey Graham, selected seventh and 16th, respectively, in last month's draft, were injured while playing for Toronto in the just-concluded summer pro league in Los Angeles.

Villanueva, who averaged 17.3 points and 8.3 rebounds in three games in L.A., has a strained groin, while Graham (14.5 points, 7.5 rebounds in four games) has a strained right calf. The injuries are considered minor, but neither player is expected to suit up in the Minnesota league.

A Croatian website is confirming that the Raptors have signed Roko Ukic.

He was considering staying in Europe, but they have completed a buyout.

Washington Times writer John Mitchell says the Wizards will begin to address their frontcourt issues this week by bringing in free-agent forward Donyell Marshall.

"There has definitely been some interest expressed there, and I can say that we are going to talk with Washington," Marshall's agent, Andy Miller, said last night.

The Wizards would be looking at the 6-foot-9, 32-year-old Marshall most likely with their $4.9 million mid-level exception.

Marshall spent most of last season with the Toronto Raptors on the trading block, getting heavy interest from Chicago, Houston and Philadelphia. Those teams are still said to covet the 11-year veteran. However, the Wizards, who need help in the frontcourt -- especially if they deal forward Kwame Brown this summer -- are believed to be Marshall's top choice.