[commercialappeal]Wells's future to be known by weekend

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Wells's future to be known by weekend
NBA's bargaining agreement will not affect negotiations

By Ronald Tillery
Contact
July 20, 2005

Speculation that the NBA will extend a moratorium on signing free agents from Friday to next month will not affect Bonzi Wells's contract status, according to the Grizzly guard's agent.

League sources indicated Tuesday that the collective bargaining agreement won't be finalized this week and the delay could prevent teams from signing free-agent contracts until Aug. 1.


The Grizzlies and Wells agreed to extend the deadline for deciding on an $8 million team option to coincide with ratification of the CBA. That was supposed to happen by Friday.

But Wells will either have the option picked up with a trade on the table or become an unrestricted free agent by the weekend.

Wells is not interested in prolonging the process beyond Friday.

"We expect a resolution," said William Phillips, who Wells retained as his agent following the season. "At the end of the day, Bonzi will be fine. The closer we get to the 22nd, the more serious the discussions get."

At least seven teams have expressed interest in Wells. The Grizzles have had more than cursory conversations with Boston, Dallas, Washington, Sacramento, Detroit, Utah and the Los Angeles Clippers regarding Wells.

A Grizzly insider indicated that team president Jerry West is close to consummating a deal with one of those teams. It is believed that Sacramento and the Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as the strongest suitors.

Wells, 29, is considered the best guard available now that Ray Allen, Michael Redd, Bobby Simmons, Larry Hughes and Cuttino Mobley have agreed in principle to sign new deals.

Wells can be traded at anytime once his option is picked up. The NBA's moratorium only applies to free agents.

West has shopped for deals since Wells was unceremoniously and inexplicably removed from the team during the playoffs. If the Griz pass on the option and allow Wells to become an unrestricted free agent, the team would seek to consummate a sign-and-trade deal to receive compensation.

The Griz also are attempting to execute a sign-and-trade transaction with free agent guard Earl Watson. But that scenario becomes more unlikely if the league extends its moratorium.

On Monday, five-year veteran Stromile Swift announced his intention to sign with the Houston Rockets without the Grizzlies receiving anything in return.

Swift, an unrestricted free agent, will sign a five-year deal worth around $30 million.

-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353