N.B.A News

Among the most intriguing stories during predraft workouts because of his eight years in nine different prisons, undrafted junior college F Lee Benson failed to advance from the summer camp to Washington's summer-league roster. G Will Solomon, who spent last season as a rookie with the Grizzlies, also failed to advance. ... Recovering from a broken leg, Alabama G Rod Grizzard had to sit out the summer league. ... A focus during the summer will be PF Kwame Brown, who again reported out of shape, then was limited by a groin injury at the start of summer league. Brown, Etan Thomas, Brendan Haywood and Jahidi White will travel to Pete Newell's Big Man Camp as the team desperately seeks a post presence.

BOSTON CELTICS: Among the invitees to the summer program were European players PF Dimos Dikoudis, SF Milan Gurovic and PG Jaka Lakovic. GM Chris Wallace said the invitations were issued in part to continue building overseas relationships. ... Wake Forest C Darius Songaila has asked the Celtics for an all-or-nothing commitment. Unwilling to play overseas, the No. 50 pick said he would prefer to take his chances with another NBA team should Boston not find room for him. ... F/G Kedrick Brown is getting a long look this summer. He rebounds well, but the goal is to create a more complete package with the 3-point shooting skills he displayed in junior college play.

MIAMI HEAT: La Salle F Rasual Butler, taken at No. 53, could turn into one of the draft's biggest surprises. Butler has been so steady with his shot that a contract guarantee for the upcoming season might not be out of the question. Assistant coach Stan Van Gundy says Butler fills the lane, can get his own shot, hits pull-up jumpers and can hit turnaround jumpers. ... Undrafted Iowa F Luke Recker will remain with the Heat's summer program. Having shot well for the Heat during the Orlando Summer Pro League, Recker had spoken of playing with the Magic at the Boston summer league.

NEW JERSEY NETS: With Richard Jefferson finishing as runner-up to Pau Gasol for Rookie of the Year, the Nets might try to ease a lineup crunch by pushing the 6-7 swingman for the Sixth Man Award. At times usurping playing time from starting SG Kerry Kittles and starting SF Keith Van Horn during the playoffs, Jefferson appears poised for bigger and better things. He doesn't mind coming off the bench, as long as he gets playing time. Coach Byron Scott vowed to increase Jefferson's minutes, which will fuel Van Horn trade rumors. Scott also expressed interest in using Jefferson as part of a big backcourt. ... Former Heat C Duane Causwell, 34, out of the league last season, was among those vying for the backup spot behind Todd MacCulloch and Jason Collins. Causwell said years of Pat Riley practices created knee problems that required time away.

NEW YORK KNICKS: G Allan Houston made an appearance at the summer camp, saying the team must add bulk in a still-undersized power rotation. He says the team lacks a big guy who can put pressure on a defense and grab rebounds. ... The musical chairs at point guard continues, with first-round pick Frank Williams apparently in play for the right trade. Charlie Ward remains available, as does contract nightmare Howard Eisley. ... Already at million in committed payroll for next season (with retired Larry Johnson and Luc Longley still on the cap), the Knicks are looking at paying million in payroll, including the luxury tax.

ORLANDO MAGIC: The Magic exited its first summer league with doubts about its center rotation. Steven Hunter, recently acquired European veteran Rashard Griffith and free-agent import Mario Kasun failed to distinguished themselves. ... Caught short at point guard in its summer program, with Vonteego Cummings unexpectedly opting to leave, the Magic added Teddy Dupay, who went undrafted in June after being forced to leave the Florida program a year earlier amid a gambling scandal. Dupay had been on the verge of signing to play in Colombia, when contacted just before boarding his plane.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: The No. 23 pick in the 1996 draft by the Nuggets, Spanish League C Efthimios Rentzias will receive an extended look this summer, with second-round pick Sam Clancy still sidelined by a dislocated knee. Rentzias' prime competition will be Alvin Jones and Samuel Dalembert. At 6-11, 245, Rentzias' future is seen at power forward. ... Without enough point guards for their summer program, the 76ers brought in journeyman Eric Murdock from an area YMCA league. Murdock, 34, has spent the past 18 months rehabilitating a knee injury.

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