SPORTS/OLYMPICS> Basketball
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NBA salary cap for next season set at $58.68m
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-07-11 08:54 The deal for O'Neal had been rumored at last month's National Basketball Association draft and became official when the league's free-agent moratorium ended Wednesday. O'Neal will team with Olympian Chris Bosh in Toronto, giving the Raptors a potent offensive attack. "In speaking to Jermaine you get an overwhelming sense that he is focused, determined and willing to do whatever it takes to help this team win basketball games," said Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo. One of the big knocks on O'Neal has been his inability to stay healthy. The 29-year-old has not played at least 70 games in a season since appearing in 78 contests in 2003-04. Last season, O'Neal was limited to 42 games due to knee troubles. O'Neal's career has been a controversial one. In 2004, he was suspended 25 games for his role in an on-court brawl between Pacers players and Detroit Piston fans. Grizzlies sign Marc Gasol Spanish center Marc Gasol, younger brother of Los Angeles Lakers forward and all-star Pau Gasol, was signed by the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday. The 23-year-old has played the last five seasons in the Spanish ACB League and was named Most Valuable Player for Akasvayu Girona after his 2007-08 campaign. Memphis acquired the draft rights for the 7-foot-1 Gasol from the Lakers along with guard Javaris Crittenton, forward Kwame Brown, guard Aaron McKie, two first-round draft picks and cash considerations. The deal was in exchange for a 2010 second-round pick and the older Gasol, who moved to the Lakers from Memphis in February. Gasol junior, who averaged 16.2 points and 8.3 rebounds for Girona in 2007-08, will become the third Spaniard to play for the Grizzlies after his brother (2001-08) and Juan Carlos Navarro (2007-08). The younger Gasol helped Spain win the gold medal at the 2006 World Championships and silver at the 2007 European Championships. |