HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets are close to an agreement to acquire Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings, two people familiar with the negotiations said.
The Rockets would give up guard Bobby Jackson, who played for the Kings from 2000-05, and another player — likely rookie forward Donte Greene. Artest averaged 20.5 points last season, while Jackson averaged 8.8 points and 2.4 assists in 26 games with the Rockets.
• The Charlotte Bobcats and Emeka Okafor came to terms on a six- year, $72 million deal. The center- forward averaged 13.8 points, 10.7 and 1.7 blocks last season.
• The New York Knicks waived Taurean Green and Bobby Jones one day after acquiring the two reserves in a trade with the Nuggets.
• The Atlanta Hawks signed swingman Maurice Evans, who averaged a career-high 9.3 points last season with the Orlando Magic.
• The Philadelphia 76ers signed free-agent guard Kareem Rush, who averaged 8.3 points last season with the Indiana Pacers.
Illini guard Smith’s return in peril
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Just a few months before junior guard Jamar Smith was expected to return to the basketball court for Illinois, a prosecutor said she wants a judge to revoke his probation for allegedly drinking alcohol.
Smith is serving two years’ probation after pleading guilty last year to felony driving under the influence causing great bodily harm. He drove a car into a tree on a snowy night in February 2007, injuring former teammate Brian Carlwell.
Champaign police allegedly spotted Smith outside a campus bar about 2:30 a.m. Friday while they broke up an argument, and according to Champaign County State’s Attorney Julia Rietz, Smith admitted to police he had been drinking — a violation of his probation.
• Two West Virginia University basketball players were charged with scuffling with police and underage drinking after a fight at a Pittsburgh Pirates game. Joe Mazzulla and Cameron Thoroughman were arrested Monday at PNC Park, where the Pirates were playing the Rockies. Mazzulla, a junior, was charged with aggravated assault, hindering apprehension and underage drinking. Thoroughman, a sophomore, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and underage drinking.
• Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino suspended linebacker Freddy Burton and wide receiver Marques Wade for the season’s first two games after both were arrested on drunken driving charges.
Footnotes.
Little League Baseball will use instant replay at this year’s World Series to review questionable home runs and other close plays at the outfield fence. The tournament begins Aug. 15.
• Center Steven Stamkos, the No. 1 pick in the NHL draft, and the Tampa Bay Lightning agreed to a three-year contract worth up to $11.175 million with incentives.
• The Minnesota Wild waived forward Mark Parrish with three years left on his contract.
• Andy Roddick withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters in Mason, Ohio, citing neck and shoulder pain.
• New York Red Bulls forward Oscar Echeverry will undergo season- ending surgery on his right knee.
The Associated Press
