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DALLAS - As the free-agent negotiating period began Tuesday, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban announced a different kind of deal, a three-year extension for Don Nelson to remain as coach.
Nelson already was under contract as general manager through 2005-06. Now he will keep both jobs that long, continuing a double duty he began in 1997-98.
"The bottom line was I wanted to remain the coach of the Mavericks," Nelson said. "I believe I am the right person for the job and look forward to building on our recent successes."
Nelson, 63, is the third-winningest coach in league history with 1,096 wins in 25 seasons.
Bulls want Pippen backCHICAGO - Chicago general manager John Paxson said he intends to contact Scottie Pippen during the next few days to see if the former All-Star has any interest in returning to Chicago, where he won six championships.
"I think he deserves to end his career here," said Paxson, a teammate of Pippen during the 1990s. "I do think there is a place for him here if he does want to come."
Pippen, 37, who was unavailable for comment, is an unrestricted free agent the Bulls covet as a defensive-minded small forward and mentor to their young players.
The Bulls have a midlevel exception of about $4.9-million and are expected to have an injury exception for Jay Williams of about $1.8-million.
Teams can't sign free agents until July 16.
BUCKS: Larry Harris was hired as general manager two days after the team released Ernie Grunfeld from the final year of his contract. Harris has spent 12 seasons in the team's player development department and is the son of former Bucks coach Del Harris.
CAVALIERS: LeBron James could sign as early as today, his agent said. Based on the collective bargaining agreement, James' salary of 12.96-million over the first three seasons is set. But Aaron Goodwin said part of his talks with the team have focused on playing in summer leagues.
76ERS: Forward Monty Williams exercised his option to stay with the team. He averaged 4.4 points in 21 games but missed 57 with knee injuries.
WARRIORS: Forward Adonal Foyle had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee but should recover in time for training camp.
MOURNING WOOED: Cuban and Denver general manager Kiki Vandeweghe traveled to Miami to visit center Alonzo Mourning, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Mourning, who was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in October 2000, sat out last season after the illness recurred.
TRIAL DELAYED: The trial of former Nets star Jayson Williams for a limousine driver's shooting death was delayed until Jan. 12, allowing time to decide a series of pretrial requests by the defense.
UNION: Foyle, the Lakers' Derek Fisher, 76ers' Eric Snow and free agent Juwan Howard were elected to the executive committee, which plays a central role in labor talks.
DETROIT 99, SAN ANTONIO 88: Swin Cash scored a career-high 26, and the host Shock set a league record for most first-half points. The 56 points, including 16 by Cash, broke the record of 55 set by Los Angeles on Aug. 4. Down 13, the Silver Stars made it 72-71. But Kedra Holland-Corn's 3-pointer started a 9-0 run that helped the Shock pull away.
HOUSTON 71, MINNESOTA 69: Janeth Arcain's fade-away jumper with two seconds left lifted the host Comets. Sheryl Swoopes' three-point play with 36 seconds left tied it for Houston. Then Teresa Edwards missed a 3-pointer on Minnesota's next possession.
NEW YORK 90, CONNECTICUT 64: Crystal Robinson tied a season-high with 22 points for the host Liberty. Vickie Johnson had four points and two assists as New York led 10-0 and made 12 of its first 15 shots.