Grant Hill hopes to re-sign with the Suns this offseason.

"It'd be nice to come back and prove that we can be better than we were this season," Hill said Tuesday. "Let's just hope and pray we have a season first and foremost and then we'll see what happens. Hopefully, it works out and we can improve and get better."

When Hill was most recently a free agent, he had seven interested teams and narrowed his choices to Phoenix, Boston and New York but did not enjoy the drawn-out process.

"I'm too old for all that," said Hill, 38. "Depending on what happens, for all free agents, if there's a work stoppage and if we miss some of the season, there will be a mad dash or scramble to get everyone signed. You have a new labor agreement that you have to understand and interpret. I anticipate it being a lot different than it was two years ago. Let's say the lockout hypothetically ends in November. Going off what happened 12 years ago (for the 1999 lockout), we're starting a week later. There will be a lot going on. It will be kind of a frenzy."

The Spurs are reportedly interested in 6-10 power forward Gustavo Ayon, who is playing in the Spanish league and is originally from Mexico.

Ayon has a three-year contract with an option for a fourth year.

Lakers' GM Mitch Kupchak recently scouted him in a game against Barcelona.

Chauncey Billups may not be guaranteed his $14.3 million payday for the 11-12 season after all.

When Billups was traded to the Knicks, Donnie Walsh declined agent Andy Miller's offer to reach agreement on the final guaranteed year, which has become a better move in hindsight.

The Knicks could Billups out at $3 million and use cap space to pursue a big man such as DeAndre Jordan or Marc Gasol, two players Walsh has identified. Because of New York's struggles, Billups could conceivably be more amicable to becoming a free agent to sign elsewhere.

General manager Chris Wallace is confident the Grizzlies will reach an extension with Zach Randolph before the June 30th deadline. Randolph will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

Wallace also expects the Grizzlies to be able to re-sign restricted free agent Marc Gasol.

The Grizzlies will enter an important offseason to secure their starting power forward and center one summer after signing small forward Rudy Gay to a max contract.

An MRI exam Friday revealed David West suffered a torn ACL Thursday night when his left knee buckled late in regulation in an eventual overtime victory over Utah.

The Hornets immediately feared West suffered a season-ending injury when it happened and Friday's MRI confirmed the severity of the injury. West will need a months-long absence entering what was thought to be a lucrative free-agent summer for him.

One source close to West said the Hornets' power forward is hoping to complete his rehab in six months.

Earning a relatively modest $7.5 million this season for a two-time All-Star, West has resisted attempts by the Hornets at various points of the season to sign a contract extension that would keep him off the market. West will now have to decide whether to opt out of the final year of his contract in spite of the injury or, at age 31, play out the final season, which is also valued at $7.5 million.

The Magic used the 11th overall pick in the 2005 draft to select Fran Vázquez, but he ultimately decided to remain in Europe for a variety of reasons. For almost six years, the Magic have attempted to convince Vázquez to leave Europe and make the jump to the NBA.

But just when it appears that the 6-foot-10 big man is receptive to joining the Magic, a possibly daunting hurdle looms. The potential of a prolonged work stoppage after the current season might prevent the long-awaited union between Vázquez and the Magic, at least for the 11-12 season.

The Magic hypothetically could sign Vázquez after the current season ends and before the current collective bargaining agreement expires at the end of June 30. He would then receive the rookie scale salary for the year he is signed instead of the rookie scale agreed upon in the next CBA.

"In an ideal situation, we'd like to sign him," said Otis Smith. "But with the CBA, it's not in his best interest to sign a contract if there is a work stoppage. Then he misses an opportunity to play and make money, at least for a while. That's the rub."

Dwight Howard can test free-agency in the summer of 2012 if he so chooses.

Right now towards the end of the 2010-11 regular season, Howard is choosing not to talk about his future.

“I’m not focused on that. I have a whole other season before I can decide what I want to do so there’s no need for me to be talking about it right now," Howard said.

"It has nothing to do with my team right now, and I think the more and more you talk about it it’s not fun. It’s not fun for me, it’s not fun for my teammates and it’s not fun for our fans in Orlando, who have to hear about what my decision is going to be in two years.”

Howard is scheduled to earn $18.1 million next season. His contract contains a player option worth $19.5 million for the 2012-13 season.

Shannon Brown and Matt Barnes each have player options for the 11-12 season. Barnes is more likely to opt in than Brown.

"At this point, I want to win," Barnes said. "Unless it's something where people say, 'You're dumb for turning that down,' I don't really see myself making a move."

Barnes has only stayed with the same team for back-to-back seasons once.

"I don't know, man," Brown said Tuesday. "There's a lot that weighs in while thinking about this process."

Testing free agency would be "the best scenario, I guess. But unlike last year, when I was thinking about it and thinking about it, this year it really hasn't been on my mind as much because there's a lot of history that can be made this year. That really honestly has been my focus."

"A lot's going to depend on how they perform and how we perform as a team over the next two or three months possibly," Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak said. "From a selfish point of view, we hope they both remain with the Lakers next year and play even better next year and be in better situation a year from now."

Samuel Dalembert needed time to adjust to his new role on a new time following his trade from Philadelphia to the Kings, but he is now a regular starter and anchors their defense. He seems to be happy with the Kings, but is noncommittal about his future as a free agent this offseason.

"I just want to let everything play out," Dalembert said. "See what's happening and see what's going on. You never know what's going to happen."

A potential lockout is one issue facing Dalembert, with a possible move to Anaheim for the Kings being another.

"I try to do my part and let the business side happen," Dalembert said. "We'll see."

Paul Westphal credits Dalembert with figuring out his role on offense.

"I knew he could score and he's always had good percentages," Westphal said. "He's not a one-on-one kind of player you run your offense through, but that doesn't mean he doesn't score.

"He scores as a counterpuncher, and he can get his opportunities with the ball when the defense adjusts when he's not the focus offensively, and he's very good at that."

Da’Sean Butler posted on his Twitter account Monday that he finally has been cleared for court work from the devastating knee injury during the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Butler was a second round pick by the Heat last June, but was released by the team at the end of training camp as part of an agreement.

Miami guaranteed $300,000 for the 10-11 season and $394,000 for the 11-12 season.

The Heat would need to release a player to make room for Butler.