The Raptors hired former player and coach John Lucas as a basketball development consultant for the remainder of the season, the team announced on Friday.

Lucas, who has helped players get their personal lives on track in the past, will assist the coaching staff in the development of the players? on-court skills with the Raptors.

The Bobcats waived Jeff McInnis on Friday, a move intended to make Raymond Felton the full-time point guard, according to an Assoicated Press Report.

McInnis started 26 of the 54 games he played this season, averaging 4.5 points and 4.1 assists. Coach Sam Vincent had been using McInnis and Felton together for much of the season in a small backcourt.

Sonics General Manager Sam Presti announced today that the team has signed Mike Wilks to a 10-day contract.

The 5-10 guard appeared in eight games with the Denver Nuggets and four games with the Washington Wizards earlier this season.

Chauncey Billups is questionable for the Pistons' game against the Clippers in Los Angeles on Saturday after flying home for a personal matter, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Is it unknown as to when Billups will rejoin the team.

Assault charges against Rockets' guard Rafer Alston were dropped on Friday, according to the Associated Press.

A man had accused Alston of stabbing him with a knife at a nightclub in August of 2007.

Prosecutors were unable to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, a Manhattan district attorney told the AP.

Caron Butler won't need surgery on his injured hip, according to the Associated Press.

Doctors told the Wizards' star that all he needs to heal his injury is rest and rehabilitation.

Butler, Washington's All-Star forward, had an MRI earlier this week that revealed he had a small labral tear in his left hip joint.

He will be re-evaluated at the beginning of next week.

The Seattle SuperSonics have waived forward Ira Newble. Newble was acquired by the Sonics in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 21. He logged 17 minutes in two games for Seattle.

Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger has been suspended for one game without pay for striking the Chicago Bulls? Andres Nocioni in the face, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 7:10 remaining in the fourth period of Indiana?s 113-107 loss to the Bulls on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Conseco Fieldhouse. Granger will serve the suspension tonight when the Pacers visit the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

Philadelphia 76ers President and General Manager Ed Stefanski announced today that the team has waived guard Gordan Giricek.  Per team policy, terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

In 12 games with the Sixers, Giricek averaged 3.1 points, 1.2 rebounds and 0.9 assists in 9.2 minutes, while shooting 31.7% (13-47) from the floor.

The Atlanta Hawks have signed guard/forward Jeremy Richardson to a second 10-day contract, effective February 28, 2008, according to Hawks Executive Vice President/General Manager Billy Knight.

Richardson has appeared in 6 games with the Hawks, averaging 4.2 ppg in 8.0 mpg (.500 FG%, .556 3FG%).