Parker Doesn't Welcome Nets' Kidd July 7 New York Times (registration required): "While Jason Kidd visited San Antonio yesterday in his first free-agent recruiting trip, Tony Parker, the Spurs' point guard, was vacationing in the Bahamas, wondering if he would be left out in the cold next season. Parker recently told his friends, family and teammates that he did not want to take a back seat to Kidd in the backcourt, a person briefed on Parker's stance said." Pacers fans shouldn't assume O'Neal will stay here July 7 Indianapolis Star columnist Bob Kravitz: "Chances are, Jermaine O'Neal will stay home. Chances are, he will go to San Antonio Wednesday -- Jason Kidd got the Spurs' sales pitch Sunday and will again today -- and will return home with the renewed belief that this is where he belongs... Chances are . . . This, however, is no slam dunk." Bucks Not Part of Payton's Plan July 7 Los Angeles Times (registration required): "Gary Payton took another day to ponder life with the Lakers, even as he eliminated returning to the Milwaukee Bucks and considered the financial impact of potential sign-and-trade deals that would put him in Portland or Miami, his agent said Sunday." Malone won't get ball in L.A. July 7 Deseret News columnist Brad Rock: "Malone says he doesn't need to be the center of an offense to be happy, he just wants a championship ring. But he might like to touch the basketball occasionally."
