By Simon Fishler
SportsLine NBA Editor
July 28, 1999

With the free-agent market opening up on Aug. 1, here's a look at the hot gossip floating around the NBA.

Golden State

The Warriors would love to get Mitch Richmond back into town where he spent the first three years of his career.

The Wizards' free-agent shooting guard has hinted that going to a winning team isn't his primary concern so he likely won't exclude the Warriors from his list of potential employers, which includes about half the teams in the league.

The Warriors, however, can't come up with as much dough as the Wizards so, unless the two teams can work out a big sign-and-swap, that deal likely won't get done. Center Erick Dampier has drawn interest from other teams, which essentially will force Golden State to come up with a market offer to keep their only quality big man.

Seattle

The Sonics are another team drooling over Mitch Richmond. Specifically, Gary Payton is pushing management to make a deal for a proven veteran like the Wizards' free-agent shooting guard.

There has been talk of a Hersey Hawkins/Horace Grant deal with the Wizards for Richmond. Also Vin Baker, who opted out of his contract in July, has said he would like to return to Seattle despite last year's disastrous season in which he came to camp fat and never got into shape.

Rumors persist that Rick Pitino and the Boston Celtics have their eye on Baker, and they could be pushing for a sign-and-trade deal with Antoine Walker that would include one other team. Meanwhile, the Sonics appear to be leaving free-agent forward Detlef Schrempf out of the equation, offering him only the $1-million veteran exception, which he has blasted as an insult … it looks like he'll wind up in Portland.

Rockets free agent Charles Barkley could be a possibility to fill the Schrempf-sized void, but he wants to win a title and Seattle doesn't appear like it's going to any time soon.

Also, the Sonics could bring in Kings free agent Vernon Maxwell should the Richmond deal not work out. Imagine the smack that motor-mouths GP and Mad Max could generate together.

L.A. Clippers

There was some talk about Penny Hardaway heading to L.A. … but that buzzed past quickly and lit on the crosstown Lakers.

The Clippers main priority is signing their own free agents, chiefly forward Maurice Taylor. Sherman Douglas and Darrick Martin have not been the answer at point guard, thus the Clippers' coveting of Baron Davis in the draft. When Davis went one spot ahead of L.A. to Charlotte at No. 3, the Clippers snapped up Lamar Odom -- a potentially awesome pick but one who doesn't fill their greatest need.

The Clippers would love to land a free-agent point guard, especially Terrell Brandon, but Brandon is the cream of a miniscule crop and likely will stay in Minnesota. There is talk that they are interested in Nick Van Exel, but the Nuggets' ballhandler is expected to stay in the Mile High City.

L.A. Lakers

Penny Hardaway linked up with old Orlando nemesis Shaquille O'Neal? Penny finding enough shots to soothe his delicate ego in a lineup with stars Kobe Bryant and Shaq?

As improbable as it sounds, rumblings out of L.A. suggest the Lakers are interested in bringing in Hardaway in a sign-and-trade deal with Orlando that would send Lakers guards Glen Rice and Derek Fisher to the Magic. Lakers vice president Jerry West reportedly talked to Hardaway last week at the Orlando guard's request.

Hardaway isn't the only big-name guy the Lakers have been associated with in the free-agent market. The Scottie Pippen-for-Glen Rice rumor refuses to die as some are saying coach Phil Jackson wants the 6-foot-7 forward to come in and run the triangle offense. And Charles Barkley has suggested the Lakers might be a good fit for him. Hey, he'd have massive choices in late-night entertainment in the City of Angels -- and have a decent shot at winning that elusive ring.

And Mitch Richmond, too, could be in the Lakers' future if the Pippen and Penny deals don't develop.

Portland

Isaiah Rider all but rode his way out of town with his self-centered shenanigans in the postseason. The hot one here is Rider and Kelvin Cato or Jim Jackson (though he's less likely) headed to the Atlanta Hawks for shooting guard Steve Smith -- he of the creaky knees but positive, veteran attitude, which is what the Blazers need.

The Blazers would like to keep forward Jermaine O'Neal, who they think has more upside than Cato, but he's a popular guy on the market and could sign for more money elsewhere. O'Neal has said the money is secondary to playing time, so if the Blazers can guarantee he'll get more than spot duty -- as has been the case in his three years in Portland -- he might be lured back to the Pacific Northwest.

Phoenix

Penny Hardaway talk was hottest in the desert early on, but things have died down recently as the Orlando Magic don't appear to be blown away by the apparent offer of gimpy-kneed Danny Manning and reserve Pat Garrity for their star. Orlando apparently wanted Tom Gugliotta in the deal but Phoenix -- already a guard-oriented team with little muscle inside -- balked at trading the forward.

The Suns would like to address their soft interior by bringing in Charles "Bo" Outlaw, but they likely would only be able to offer him the $2-million exception and that might not be good enough to get the Magic free agent who plays with a mix of athleticism and toughness. And the Magic have recently hinted that Outlaw isn't going anywhere.

Sacramento

They already got Chris Webber in a trade for Mitch Richmond. Could the two stars be joined in Kings uniforms next year? Word is Sacramento would love to bring back Richmond, but it appears unlikely Sacramento could afford the price of what will probably be his last fat contract.

The Kings appear more interested in signing their own player, forward Corliss Williamson, who played for the Kings for less than he could have made with another team last year in a wink-and-smile arrangement. This year the Kings can make it up to him as they can exceed the salary cap to sign Williamson under the terms of the "Larry Bird exemption."

Kings VP Geoff Petrie also would like to bring back reserves Vernon Maxwell, Scot Pollard, Jon Barry and Lawrence Funderburke -- all free agents. Sonics guard Gary Payton has floated the idea of Maxwell coming to Seattle … and when GP talks, you never know what might happen in Seattle.