The Lakers have a player payroll of $91.3 million this season and will spend an additional $21.4 million in luxury taxes if their roster remains the same on the final day of the regular season.

Their total salary bill would be $112.7 million if they make no trades or minor free-agent acquisitions. Comparatively, they spent about $86 million last season, including luxury taxes.

That figure does not include Phil Jackson's $12-million salary to coach the team.

"As long as we keep winning, I think he'll keep doing it," center Andrew Bynum said. [READ]

The Rockets are denying reports of a shouting match between Tracy McGrady and coach Rick Adelman.

Yahoo! Sports reported on Friday that the pair "engaged in an emotional and sometimes loud closed-door confrontation" after McGrady dressed prior to a game earlier this week.

McGrady wants to return from knee surgery, but the Rockets are being more cautious.

"It's not even an issue," McGrady said. "If coach tells you something different, I'd be surprised. I'm here to play basketball. I'm not here to be a distraction. I've been through enough of that drama last year. I'm not going to let it start this year, at all."

Adelman said Friday that when they met, the conversation did not get loud but that McGrady did not want to wait for next week to play.

"He wants to play," Adelman said. "He's not ready to play. It's as simple as that." [READ]

Oklahoma City Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced that the team has assigned center Byron Mullens and guard Kyle Weaver to the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA Development League.

Weaver, who played two games for the 66ers last season, has appeared in two games for the Thunder this year averaging 5.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 8.0 minutes per contest.

Mullens, the 24th overall pick (selected by Dallas) in the 2009 NBA Draft, was acquired by the Thunder in a draft night trade. Mullens has not appeared in a game for the Thunder this season. The 7-0 center averaged 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in one season at The Ohio State University. [READ]

The Blazers lost in Oakland for the 11th straight time on Friday night.

Beyond the losses, it has been home for many other unfortunate instances for the organization.

'It's where Bonzi Wells blew out his knee in April 2001, disrupting the Blazers' starting lineup for the playoffs,' writes Jason Quick of The Oregonian. 'It's where Shawn Kemp informed the team he needed to enter rehabilitation for cocaine abuse. And it's where Rasheed Wallace and Wells fought with the Warriors in 2002, which led to Wallace trying to get into the stands and Golden State's Chris Mills trying to enter the Blazers' postgame locker room. Unsuccessful at that, Mills blocked the team bus as it left the arena.' [READ]

The Warriors came home from a road trip that saw Stephen Jackson traded away and defeated the Blazers by a final score of 108-94.

Monta Ellis played all 48 minutes, playing excellent defense on Brandon Roy and scored 34 points with eight assists, six rebounds and six steals.

"With what I did on the defensive end, getting everybody involved and being out their leading players and making plays for others, you could say that," Ellis said. "If people want to say it's my team, then it's my team, but I've got soldiers behind me who are ready to go with me.

"We're all going to put it together and make this one, big, happy family."

Ellis had a game-high FIC of 21.6, while Roy had a 4.6. [READ]

Magic point guard Jameer Nelson may return earlier than expected from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.

The team officially announced a timetable of four to six weeks for his return, but Nelson's teammates say he could return in three weeks. [READ]

The Knicks and Nets have won a combined two games this season and fans are starting to give up on the teams.

The Knicks' rating on the MSG Network is down 28 percent, while the Nets' rating on the YES Network is down 41.5 percent from this point last season. [READ]

The Nets will get All-Star guard Devin Harris back for Saturday night's game against the Knicks.

New Jersey has yet to win a game this season.

"I'm not made for a suit," Harris said Friday. "I'm looking forward to getting out there and running up and down."

He hasn't played since Oct. 30 because of a strained right groin. His minutes aren't yet determined, but coach Lawrence Frank is unlikely to overwork Harris.

"Who knows?" Harris said of the impact he can have against New York.

"The last time I came off the bench I played extremely well. We'll see how it is [today]. I know I've got a ball of energy. I'll burst out as much as I can. We'll see when it comes down to that time of truth in the fourth quarter if we can pull this one out." [READ]

Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace isn't worried about his recent shooting struggles.

He went 0-for-8 from three-point land in Friday night's loss to the Magic.

"I ain't worried about it, honestly," said Wallace. "I probably rushed about two or three of them. Other than that, it's good looks, they're just not going for me. I'm not worried about my offense now. It's still early in the season, I know I won't be shooting like this for the duration of the season.

"It's just a matter of making some shots. Everybody goes through it, no matter if it's 2-pointers, 3-pointers, or foul shots - everybody goes through slumps every now and then. But the key, or the heart of that player will determine how he plays. I'm not the type to let the threes get me down. I'm missing a couple threes so I don't want to do this any more - no. I'm out there playing basketball."

Earlier in the week, Celtics coach Doc Rivers asked Wallace to stop attempting so many threes. [READ]

Celtics coach Doc Rivers says that Kevin Garnett is still in the process of recovering from last season's knee injury.

At times, Garnett lacks explosiveness and he went 5-for-13 from the floor in Friday night's loss to the Magic.

"No he's not (finishing)," Rivers said. "One day he's explosive, one day he's not, one day he's healthy, one day he's not, and that's just gonna take time. Coming into the year, obviously you would want him to be explosive if you could pick tonight. Tomorrow we don't need you.

"But you could see that today," he said Friday night. "It takes time. Some days you have legs, some days you don't. It's your back. It doesn't matter what the injury is, almost. That's just how it works." [READ]

Tracy McGrady wants to return, but the Rockets are being cautious about his return from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

"Right now, I could play," he said on Friday.

Houston believes that McGrady would risk re-injuring his knee if he came back right now. The next step in his recovery is an MRI on Monday.

"We have a difference of opinion," coach Rick Adelman said. "He wants to play. He's not ready to play. It's as simple as that." [READ]

The WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs folded on Friday as the Maloof family looks to focus all of its energy on the NBA's Kings.

The decision was unexpected and has left the WNBA rushing to find a new owner and market for the franchise.

"We enjoyed our time with the WNBA and the Monarchs," co-owner Joe Maloof said in a statement. "We are extremely proud of an amazing run that included six straight playoff appearances and the 2005 WNBA Championship. All of our resources are now dedicated to bringing the Sacramento Kings back to championship caliber form."

The team could move to Oakland or San Jose and is scheduled to have the second pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft. [READ]

Longtime Clippers announcers Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith were suspended one game for comments made about Grizzlies center Hamed Haddadi.

The duo were penalized by the Fox Sports Prime Ticket cable network.

Lawler and Smith made comments about the Iranian-born center during Wednesday night's telecast from Memphis.

They did not work Friday night's game against the Nuggets.

"That's unfortunate. It was pretty strange not seeing them there," Clippers guard Baron Davis said. "Ralph and Mike are very classy guys, and they didn't do it to hurt anyone.

"A lot of times when you're commenting on games, it's a source of entertainment. And a lot of times, people may take offense. But the viewers need to understand that it's entertainment, and people are entitled to their opinion. I stand by Ralph and Mike because they're great guys and they only want to support and help everybody in the league." [READ]

The Indiana Pacers announced Friday that guard Travis Diener underwent successful surgery on the big toe of his left foot.

Diener is expected to be out four to six weeks. [READ]

Celtics coach Doc Rivers told forward Rasheed Wallace to stop attempting three-pointers during the team's win over the Warriors on Wednesday.

"I got on him, and I rarely do, about the threes," Rivers admitted. "Because even though he was wide open, it's really tough. I mean, he was wide open and he took two, but we had just taken two quick ones. But he's got an incredibly high basketball IQ. He's been phenomenal in the locker room. So, I'm just happy to have him."

Wallace has attempted 70 three-pointers this season, hitting 31.4% of them. He's on pace for 500 attempts in 2009-10. [READ]

Raptors forward Chris Bosh doesn't understand why he doesn't get as much attention as some of the NBA's other stars.

"Every day I turn on the TV and they're talking about guys, especially my draft class, '03 draft class, and this and that," he said. "They keep bringing up all these and I never hear my name, unless I'm like second honorable mention or something like that. I got tired of that.

"I don't even think people know I've made all-star teams or know what I've done in this league."

Bosh is averaging 26.8 points and 12.3 rebounds this season.

He ranks seventh in scoring and second in rebounding.

"I always thought of myself as a good basketball player, but after a while I really wanted to turn the corner. I looked at all the other guys who are considered top guys and I was tired of not having my name mentioned," he added.

"I wanted to do the necessary work to make sure I put myself in a situation to be successful." [READ]

Spurs guard Manu Ginobili is very happy in San Antonio, but his lingering groin strain is starting to make him nervous.

"I'm a little paranoid," Ginobili said. "I don't want to miss any more games."

The guard's contract pays him $10.7 million this season, the final of his deal.

"I am not in the most confident part of my career," Ginobili said. "I've been struggling and I need to feel better."

The Spurs are waiting to discuss a new contract with Ginobili to see if his recent history of injury vanishes. [READ]

Wizards center Brendan Haywood is having a career-season.

He's averaging 10.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 33.8 minutes per game.

All the numbers set or tie career marks.

"That's big because it helps me from a mental aspect," Haywood said of his consistent minutes. "If I go out there and I know I'm going to play 30 minutes, it gives you confidence, because you feel your coach has confidence in you. You don't have to go out there pressing."

"Not trying to speak negatively about anyone, but in previous years, I was playing like I had to make something happen. If it didn't happen in the first five minutes I felt like I had to do something or I might not play in the second half. That's a tough way to play. Now, it's a little bit different. I think [club] Flip [Saunders] has confidence in me and I benefit from it."

Haywood added that former Washington coach Eddie Jordan tried unsuccessfully to put him against former teammate Etan Thomas.

"Eddie tried to motivate us both by putting us against each other. I don't think it worked for either guy," Haywood said. "We ended up splitting minutes and fighting every day in practice. It was a bad strategy for the team and it was bad for both of us." [READ]

The Golden State Warriors have signed forward/center Chris Hunter to a contract, the team announced Friday.

Hunter, who is being called up from the NBA Development League's Fort Wayne Mad Ants, will be in uniform for Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena.

Hunter, 25, was a D-League All-Star last season with Fort Wayne, where he averaged 19.3 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.19 blocks and 32.7 minutes per contest in 47 games. [READ]

Mavericks forward Shawn Marion will not play against the Kings on Friday night.

Marion sprained his ankle on Monday against the Bucks and sat out Wednesday's contest against the Spurs.

He is optimistic that he'll return for Tuesday's battle with the Warriors.

"Hopefully one more game and I'll be good," Marion said after the Mavs' shootaround on Friday. "It's feeling better, but it still hurts." [READ]

Knicks president Donnie Walsh has explained why the team passed on signing free-agent guard Allen Iverson.

The team opted not to sign Iverson late Thursday night after Walsh, coach Mike D'Antoni and owner James Dolan exhausted the possibility.

"It did get interesting for a while because Allen's a great player and has always been a great player," Walsh said. "You're 1-9 and you're thinking, 'We've got to get some help in here.' But when we rethought it and I talked to Mike and he talked to me, we feel that could hurt our development of the future, and so we want to go the way we're going.

"There will be other things we can do during the year that will be more in line with what our philosophy has been entering into this. And I want to really make it clear that this has nothing to do with Iverson. He's a great player, I've always admired him. I think he'd be a great addition for a team that is in a different position than we're in, and I hope he gets picked up."

Iverson was waived by the Grizzlies on Tuesday and became an unrestricted free agent on Thursday evening. [READ]

J.J. Redick has a theory on why the Magic aren't national media darlings like the Cavaliers and Celtics are.

"We have a target on our backs, but I still think we’re under the radar a little bit more than Boston and Cleveland," he said. "We’re a small market, so we’re going to get less attention. Plus, we don’t have LeBron. Seriously, if the guy (James) said tomorrow that he was going to run for President, (CNN’s) Anderson Cooper would be on SportsCenter for 30 minutes talking about why he’d make a good president." [READ]

Tracy McGrady and Rockets coach Rick Adelman had a heated closed-door meeting on Wednesday night, sources told Yahoo1 Sports.

McGrady dressed in his uniform and underwent his pregame routine in Minneapolis on Wednesday even though he wasn't activated for game.

Adelman was surprised to see McGrady dressed when the star returned to the locker room and a meeting between the pair took place in the coach's office soon after.

Sources said the exchange was so loud that it could be heard in the locker room at times.

McGrady reportedly feels as though Adelman has been uncommunicative as of late.

"Tracy was just determined to make Rick talk to him," a source close to McGrady said. "That’s why he put on the uniform and went through all that. ... He wanted to get his attention. He'd like to know if he's wanted back or not."

McGrady had major knee surgery in February and has been itching to get back on the court.

"The trust has broken down between them," a source close to McGrady and Adelman said. "There's some work to be done there." [READ]

The Knicks have decided not to sign Allen Iverson.

The team had been considering whether to add Iverson to the roster after starting the season 2-9. As of Thursday evening, a deal appeared imminent. One source put the percentage likelihood of the Knicks signing Iverson in the high 90's.

Knick owner James Dolan was reportedly hesitant about signing Iverson for the remainder of the season but said he would not stand in the way if Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni were in favor of the move.

The Knicks pulled back late Thursday, deciding that the risks of adding Iverson outweighed the potential rewards. [READ]

The Hornets, Jazz and Lakers were victorious in a rare Thursday night three-game slate.

- New Orleans 110, Phoenix 103

Team FIC Differential: Hornets -0.1, Suns +0.1


The New Orleans Hornets (5-8) earned an impressive win over the Phoenix Suns (8-3) on Thursday night. Peja Stojakovic starred with 25 points and 13 rebounds, Emeka Okafor posted 13 points and 12 boards and Darren Collison added 15 points, five rebounds and five assists. New Orleans hit just 40% of their shots, but outrebounded Phoenix by 18. Amare Stoudemire had 23 points and five rebounds, Steven Nash tallied 13 points and 10 assists and Channing Frye contributed 11 points and 10 boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans – 21.8

Jared Dudley, Phoenix – 17.0

Emeka Okafor, New Orleans – 15.5

Steve Nash, Phoenix – 15.0


- Utah 90, San Antonio 83

Team FIC Differential: Jazz +12.4, Spurs -12.4


The Utah Jazz (6-6) got their first win in San Antonio in 10 years by beating the San Antonio Spurs (4-6) at the AT&T Center. Deron Williams led with 21 points and 10 assists, Carlos Boozer tallied 18 points and 11 rebounds and Paul Millsap totaled 20 points and seven boards off the bench. Utah held San Antonio to 42% shooting and turned the ball over just nine times. Tim Duncan had 21 points and nine rebounds, George Hill scored 18 points on 17 shots and Richard Jefferson put up 16 points and six boards for the struggling Spurs.

Game FIC Scores

Tim Duncan, San Antonio – 18.5

Deron Williams, Utah – 16.8

Andrei Kirilenko, Utah – 15.4

Carlos Boozer, Utah – 13.8


- L.A. Lakers 108, Chicago 93

Team FIC Differential: Lakers +14.4, Bulls -14.4


Pau Gasol returned and helped lead the L.A. Lakers (9-3) over the Chicago Bulls (6-5) on Thursday evening. Lamar Odom had 11 points and eight rebounds, Kobe Bryant posted 21 points, nine boards and eight assists and Gasol totaled 24 points and 13 rebounds in the victory. Both teams shot 45% from the floor, but Los Angeles won the rebounding battle by seven and committed fewer turnovers. Derrick Rose had 20 points and six assists, Joakim Noah tallied 12 points and 15 rebounds and John Salmons scored 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the floor.

Game FIC Scores

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles – 22.5

Joakim Noah, Chicago – 18.4

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles – 15.8

Ron Artest, Los Angeles – 14.6



• RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ‘Reina Value.’ Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season [READ]

Bulls point guard Derrick Rose is still being slowed by his injured right ankle.

He sprained the ankle early in the preseason and the injury is still limiting him. Rose has yet to dunk this season, opting for layups.

"The times I've attempted to I was barely getting up," Rose said. "So I will just say it was a high layup."

Rose, who is averaging 14 points and 5.5 assists this season, knows that his ankle improves every day.

"Every day it's improving," Rose said. "...Before when I got up in the morning, I really couldn't walk well. I'd be stiff. But I haven't been stiff in about two or three weeks, so it's going fine." [READ]

Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy doesn't think there's a better man for the job than himself.

After the Hornets fired Byron Scott last week, rumors have circulated that Dunleavy could be the next coach to get canned.

"When's the last time you ever saw an interim coach come in and the team be successful and make a playoff run?" Dunleavy said. "It's not happening. Nobody knows these guys better than I know them.

"Give a coach a chance to coach Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin. After that, fine. Let the chips fall where they may. Other than that, you just fall to pressure."

Dunleavy was referring to the fact that both Griffin and Gordon, the team's last two Lottery picks, are out with injuries.

"I understand fans," he said. "I don't blame fans. They're not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that you weigh them. They know wins and losses.

"We've had an awful run with this, but my track record is that I have not lost with my players. I have lost without my players, but I haven't lost with my players. From an ownership standpoint, I know there's always a lot of pressure. I'll live with whatever decision our owner makes. I'll live by it."

The Clippers are 4-9 this season. [READ]

Clippers guard Eric Gordon could return from a groin injury next week.

The Los Angeles Times reports that it's possible Gordon could return as early as Monday's game against the Timberwolves.

Gordon hasn't played since Nov. 7, missing six games, because of the injury. [READ]

Allen Iverson has cleared waivers and New York is appearing more and more like his eventual landing spot.

A source close to the team told the New York Times that the percent chance Iverson will sign with the Knicks is in "the high 90s" and a deal could be signed as early as Friday.

Iverson was waived by the Grizzlies on Tuesday after just three games with the team. The Knicks are just 2-9 this season. [READ]