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By Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 30, 2000
DALLAS -- Christian Laettner, who almost went to the NBA champion Lakers in a proposed four-team deal, instead was traded Tuesday by the Pistons to the Mavericks.
Laettner and Terry Mills, another veteran forward, are headed to Dallas in exchange for forwards Cedric Ceballos and John Wallace, guard Eric Murdock and cash. Wallace and Murdock never played for Dallas; they were acquired in separate trades in June.
This deal is much less involved than the proposed trade this month in which Laettner would have gone to the Lakers. That deal, which fell apart last week, also would have involved the SuperSonics and Knicks and included Patrick Ewing, Glen Rice and Vin Baker among at least 11 players.
CARTER, NIKE CLOSE TO DEAL: Vince Carter denied a report on HoopsTV.com that he has reached agreement with Nike on a six-year, $30-million endorsement contract. "There's no deal. Everybody thinks they know everything that's going on with me. I'm tired of it, really," Carter said at the U.S. Olympic team training camp at Lahaina, Hawaii. "I just got out of a Puma suit, so how can I have a deal ready?"
PHILLS SUIT: A cab driver injured in the January car accident that killed Bobby Phills is suing the estate of the former Hornets guard. Yao Agbegbon, one of two motorists hurt when Phills lost control of his Porsche while driving in excess of 100 mph in Charlotte, N.C., is seeking $10,000 in damages.
ELLIOTT JERSEYS: Two stolen Sean Elliott jerseys that had been on display at his alma mater, Cholla (Ariz.) High School, were returned after being stolen.
In what has become an annual rite of summer, Houston Comets fans ignored ovenlike heat to honor the four-time WNBA champions and implore star Cynthia Cooper to stick around.
"I think I speak for everyone here this afternoon: Please reconsider your retirement," Mayor Lee Brown told Cooper.
The Comets rode atop fire trucks preceded by marching bands, floats and convertibles carrying local dignitaries.