Hooped Up

Damon Stoudamire will sign a pro-rated contract with the Spurs as early as Thursday, after two conversations with Suns general manager Steve Kerr within the past 24 hours led nowhere. “We spoke to him. He understands what we had to offer and he felt San Antonio was the better opportunity,” Kerr said.

East Valley Tribune

Hawks captain Joe Johnson said he was informed before Wednesday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers that he would be making his second straight trip to the NBA All-Star Game, which is next month in New Orleans. He will represent the Eastern Conference as a reserve, chosen by the Eastern Conference coaches.

Atlanta Journal Constitution

Frustrated for a second consecutive season, Orlando Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick said Wednesday that he had his agent explore possible trades to see if he could find playing time elsewhere. “We want to see what’s out there,” Redick said. “I want to stay here, but it’s been frustrating.” Magic General Manager Otis Smith, however, said he has told Redick’s agent, Arn Tellem, that he currently has no plans to deal the club’s 2006 first-round pick out of Duke.

Orlando Sentinel

Stromile Swift may not work in a Grizzlies uniform much longer once he returns today from a team-imposed, one-game suspension. The on-again, off-again flirtation with potential trades involving Swift were on again Wednesday, although totally unrelated to the recent disciplinary action against the forward/center.

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Charlie Villanueva: “I would really like to make Milwaukee a part of my future, but it doesn’t seem realistic at this point in time unless something changes. The moves made by management in the last few months indicate to me that I’m not as important as I once was to this team. I’m not completely sold on my role with the Milwaukee Bucks. And listen folks, I’m just being honest here with you guys. I’m not trying to start any more ‘rah-rah’ to add to the rumors.”

NBA.com

Gerald Green said the reason he wants to be traded is simply a matter of business. He averaged only 12 minutes in 21 games through the first half of the season, leaving him with questions about his future with the team. The Wolves didn’t pick up his contract option for next season, so he will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

St. Paul Pioneer Press

Soon-to-be free agent point guard Damon Stoudamire said yesterday that it would be “dumb” not to seriously consider the Celtics if they wanted him.

Stoudamire’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, confirmed yesterday that his client has agreed in principle to a buyout with the Memphis Grizzlies, expected to become official tomorrow. While terms were not disclosed, Stoudamire was guaranteed $2.1 million this season and $2.3 million next season, excluding bonuses.

Stoudamire acknowledged yesterday that the Celtics, Suns, and Raptors are among the teams expected to have interest in him. The 5-foot-10-inch, 171-pounder could be an unrestricted free agent Wednesday after clearing waivers.

Before Kobe Bryant, Shawn Marion and Andrei Kirilenko made it popular to have your organization completely ignore your public trade demand, there was Pau Gasol. Gasol is still in Memphis, where he doesn’t really want to be so long as the Grizzlies keep losing. But he won’t ask for a trade again, because he knows where that got him last year. Nowhere. Memphis tried to move Gasol near the trade deadline last February, but got greedy in its attempt to raid the Chicago Bulls of nearly every talented piece they had, most notably Luol Deng. A year later, Gasol has his name tossed in trade rumors after almost every Grizzlies loss.

Washington Post