DETROIT -- The Detroit Pistons are expected to add center Theo Ratliff next week, a person familiar with the upcoming transaction told the Associated Press on Friday.
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The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal couldn't yet be completed, said the move will be made on Tuesday.
The Minnesota Timberwolves requested waivers on Ratliff after reaching an agreement on a buyout of his contract. About one-third of Ratliff's $11.6 million salary remained for this season, but vice president Kevin McHale said the Timberwolves will pay him "a little less" than that.
Ratliff's agent approached the team about the move, which will allow more time down the stretch for young post players like Chris Richard and Craig Smith.
Ratliff's contract was expiring at the end of the season, and the Timberwolves -- who have the worst record in the Western Conference -- are busy evaluating what they've got for the future. The Wolves have bought out guard Troy Hudson, forward Juwan Howard and now Ratliff over the past seven months.
Forward Antoine Walker wants a buyout, too, but he's unwilling to forgo much of the remainder of his $8.5 million salary this season or a $9.3 million figure next season. The Wolves have made an offer, but an agreement by Saturday didn't appear imminent. Full story
Butler prescribed rest, rehab
WASHINGTON -- Washington Wizards All-Star forward Caron Butler has a prescription of rest and rehab -- with no plans for surgery -- to deal with the latest twist in his return from a hip injury.
An MRI exam this week found that Butler has a small labral tear of the left hip joint. The injury, which has sidelined him for nearly a month, had originally been diagnosed as a strained hip flexor.
"There haven't been any conversations about surgery," said a person familiar with the Butler's injury who spoke on condition of anonymity because the team prefers not to release medical details. "Our thoughts are for him to continue to rest and stay off the hip."
Butler will be re-evaluated next week, with no timetable set for his return. He was to miss his 11th straight game Friday night, when the Wizards finished a road trip at Chicago.
Men in Donaghy scandal plead not guilty
NEW YORK -- Two men charged in a betting scandal involving disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded not guilty to conspiring to defraud the league.
Prosecutors said James Battista, a professional gambler with nicknames "Baba" and "Sheep," and Thomas Martino entered the pleas during a brief court appearance in Brooklyn.
A trial date was set for April 28. Each man remains free on $250,000 bond.
In a guilty plea in August, Donaghy said he started making NBA bets four years ago, even wagering on games he worked. He admitted recommending bets to high-stakes gamblers and collecting $5,000 if his picks hit.
Riley: Lay off on Wade
SEATTLE -- Pat Riley doesn't think it's fair to blame Dwyane Wade for the Miami Heat's problems this season, since the All-Star guard is coming back from offseason surgeries on his left knee and left shoulder.
"He definitely is not who he is, so let's face that," Riley said. "As we progress, I value Dwyane so much obviously as a person and as a player. He hasn't complained. He hasn't called anybody out. He hasn't demanded to be traded. He hasn't quit on his team. He goes out there and tries to do what he can do.
"Some nights he's better than other nights, when he feels better. And, so somewhere along the way, if this thing gets further away from us, then I think it would be prudent to say, 'We've got to take care of our best asset.' But I know he's not 100 percent."
Wade, who missed the first seven games of the season recovering from his injuries, is still averaging 24.4 points, fifth in the league. He and Shaquille O'Neal helped bring the NBA title to Miami two years ago, but O'Neal, slowed by age and injury, was traded to Phoenix two weeks ago for Shawn Marion.
Kings waive Lue
DALLAS -- The Sacramento Kings waived point guard Tyronn Lue, putting another veteran free agent on the market for teams looking for depth down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Lue never played for the Kings. He was acquired Feb. 16 as part of a trade that brought Anthony Johnson, Shelden Williams and Lorenzen Wright from Atlanta. A strained left calf kept him out of all six games since the trade.
Lue averaged 6.8 points, 1.8 assists, 1.2 rebounds over 17 minutes in 33 games for Atlanta.
The Kings were the sixth team in Lue's 10-year career. He was a backup for the Lakers when they won the NBA title in 2001.
Bobcats cut G McInnis
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Charlotte Bobcats waived guard Jeff McInnis.
The team provided no explanation for the decision. McInnis started 26 of the 54 games he played this season, averaging 4.5 points and 4.1 assists.
McInnis was criticized by coach Sam Vincent after a loss to Philadelphia a month ago, leading to a testy exchange between the two. A few days later the Bobcats signed point guard Earl Boykins, but McInnis had still been an on-and-off starter.
The Bobcats have struggled in Vincent's first season as an NBA head coach. Charlotte had lost 11 of 12 games heading into Friday's game at Boston.
Seattle's Swift likely done for season
SEATTLE -- SuperSonics center Robert Swift is headed for another knee surgery and is likely out for the season after playing in just eight games.
The 7-footer, who had been slow to recover from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that cost him all of last season, will undergo surgery March 4 to repair a torn lateral meniscus in the same knee.
Seattle's 12th overall pick in the 2004 draft hurt the knee in a game at Portland on Feb. 21.
The team said in a statement Friday that Swift received a second opinion on the latest injury this week from Dr. Steve Lombardo in Los Angeles.
Charges dropped against Alston
NEW YORK -- Assault charges were dropped against Houston Rockets guard Rafer Alston, who was accused of a slashing a man with a knife in a nightclub.
Prosecutors were unable to prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and the assault and attempted assault charges were dropped, the Manhattan district attorney's office said.
Alston was arrested Aug. 27, 2007, after a confrontation with Wilbert Ashman of Long Island inside Club Stereo in Manhattan. Ashman told police he and Alston accidentally bumped each other, and during an ensuing argument the 31-year-old player cut him.
Defense lawyer Alberto Ebanks did not immediately return a call.
