Kukoc Free to Negotiate Deal With Bulls

After three years of talks, Toni Kukoc, one of the top basketball players in Europe, is expected to become a member of the two-time NBA champion Chicago Bulls shortly.

The Bulls are free to negotiate a contract with the Croatian star now that he has been released by his Italian club, Jerry Krause, Chicago’s vice president of basketball operations, said Thursday. Krause said he anticipated signing the 6-foot-10 Kukoc.

Benetton Treviso of Italy said it was releasing Kukoc, 25, from a contract that expires in 1995. Kukoc had a clause in the deal that allowed him to break the reported $15.3-million agreement after two seasons. Benetton had set a deadline of midnight Thursday for Kukoc to formally declare his plans.

Kukoc was selected by the Bulls in the second round of the 1990 draft.

“He could play anywhere on the front line or even in the backcourt,” Krause said.

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John Lucas, who took over as the San Antonio Spurs’ coach early in the season and led the Spurs to a second-place finish in the Midwest Division, signed a four-year contract. Terms were not released. The Spurs hired Lucas on Dec. 18, to replace Jerry Tarkanian, who had been fired the same day. The Spurs were 10-11 at the time.

Cycling

Miguel Indurain kept his overall lead in the Tour of Italy after the race’s 18th stage, which was won by Adriano Baffi of Italy. It was Baffi’s third victory in the tour. He edged Czech Jan Svorada and fellow Italians Fabio Baldato and Fabiano Fontanelli at the finish line.

Miscellany

A player and team physician on Cuba’s national water polo squad have defected to the United States, the U.S. Water Polo Federation said.

Francisco Garcia, the team physician, defected Monday in Miami during the Cuban team’s trip to Long Beach for the Alamo Cup.

After Cuba’s 15-6 victory over Canada in the tournament’s opening game Wednesday night, Juan Carlos Martinez also defected. Martinez scored three goals in the game at the Belmont Plaza Olympic Pool.

The U.S. Water Polo Federation said it has had good relations with the Cuban federation, but is concerned its dealings may suffer because of the defections.

The top-ranked women’s pro beach volleyball team of Karolyn Kirby and Liz Masakayan leads a 32-team field in this weekend’s Hermosa Beach Open. Qualifying begins today at 1 p.m. Competition begins Saturday at 9 a.m.

UCLA will hold its Alumni Awards for Excellence ceremony Saturday at Royce Hall, highlighted by the awarding of the Edward A. Dickson Alumnus of the Year Award to the late Arthur Ashe. Charlie Pasarell will accept the award for Ashe.

Name in the News

Dan O’Brien, the world record-holder in the decathlon, has a prostate infection that could hamper his performance at the USA-Mobil outdoor track and field championships at Eugene, Ore., next week.