Trail Blazers Will Sign Free-Agent Anderson

The Portland Trail Blazers landed free-agent guard Derek Anderson Friday for what should be a relatively paltry salary.

Anderson’s agent, Tony Dutt, said Anderson likely will sign for the Trail Blazers’ mid-level salary-cap exception of $4.5 million. Anderson has agreed to a six-year deal, with an opt-out clause after five years, worth $34 million.

Portland also traded Greg Anthony to the Chicago Bulls and let free-agent Stacey Augmon go to the Charlotte Hornets.

Anthony was traded for a future second-round draft choice and gives the Bulls depth at guard. Earlier this week, Chicago lost guard Jamal Crawford to a knee injury that could sideline him for all of next season.

Augmon has agreed to sign with the Hornets, the Charlotte Observer reported.

Acknowledging that the Raptors were his third choice, Antonio Davis re-signed with Toronto for $64 million over five years.

Davis entertained other offers, particularly from the Orlando Magic and the Bulls. The 6-foot-9 center, who averaged a career-high 13.7 points and 10.1 rebounds a game last season, almost signed with Chicago, but was angered when Bull General Manager Jerry Krause offered almost $10 million less than he originally offered.

The Raptors also finalized a contract with point guard Alvin Williams.

Free-agent forward Clarence Weatherspoon left the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign a five-year, $27.5-million contract with the New York Knicks.

Weatherspoon, 30, averaged 11.3 points and a team-high 9.7 rebounds last season for Cleveland.

The mother of former Laker guard Nick Van Exel was ambushed outside her apartment early Friday and shot four times, police said. Joyce Van Exel, 47, was recuperating in an Indianapolis hospital and her wounds were not life-threatening.