Kings, Webber Close to New Deal

Chris Webber, the prize of this year’s free-agent market, is reportedly close to agreeing to a seven-year contract that would keep the forward with the Sacramento Kings.

Fallasha Erwin, a consultant to Webber, was quoted in Saturday’s editions of the Sacramento Bee as saying the sides are close to a deal.

“There are some things that have to be worked out, but we may have something to say very shortly,� Erwin said.

The Kings were offering Webber, 28, a contract worth more than $120 million over seven years--the largest possible deal under the NBA’s salary cap. Webber has said that 12-15 teams have contacted him since July 1, but few could offer him anything close to what the Kings had on the table. The San Antonio Spurs, who appeared ready to part with David Robinson, 36, to bring in Webber, reversed course last week and agreed on a two-year contract with the center.

Teams were permitted to begin negotiating with free agents July 1, but cannot have them sign contracts until Wednesday.

Erwin, who previously served as Webber’s agent, told the paper that “things are looking well, and I think we’ll soon have something to say that will be positive for Chris as well as Sacramento. Right now, I can’t get into any details.�

It was thought that Webber would leave the Kings after they were swept by the Lakers in the playoffs. The Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal went so far as to say, “It was fun battling with this team and now that C-Webb isn’t going to be here anymore they’re going back to expansionism.�

*

Aaron McKie, the NBA’s sixth man of the year, and the Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a seven-year deal worth up to $42 million.

McKie’s base salary totals $38 million with incentives that could bring the value of the deal to $42 million. The deal will include an option for McKie to become a free agent after five years.

McKie, 28, a Philadelphia native who went to Temple, averaged career highs in points (11.6), rebounds (4.1), assists (five), steals (1.39) and minutes (31.5).

The 6-foot-5 McKie averaged 14.6 points in the playoffs, helping the 76ers advance to the NBA Finals for the first time in 18 years.

The 76ers also are attempting to re-sign Todd MacCulloch, a restricted free agent. The New Jersey Nets reportedly offered the backup center a six-year deal Friday worth $33.75 million.

*

Michael Jordan practiced with his Washington Wizards for a second consecutive day, further fueling speculation that he will return to the court this season.

“Michael is picking up the level of what he wants to do,� Coach Doug Collins said on the second day of the Wizards’ three-day mini-camp. “He’s taking it a step at a time from the standpoint of conditioning and now he’s trying to get his legs back. He understands you don’t take off three years and just run out there and start playing at the level he wants to play.�

Collins seemed to indicate that Jordan would return.

“You know as well as I do, for him to be out here and trying to do these kind of things, you know where his heart is,� Collins said. “The big question is going to be: Can he get where he wants to get? That’s what it comes down to.�

*

Longtime NBA coach Jim Lynam has joined the Portland Trail Blazers as an assistant to Coach Maurice Cheeks. Among Lynam’s many stops was a stint as coach of the Clippers.