The trade is not official, but the person told The on Wednesday it should be completed. The person was granted anonymity because the deal was still being worked on.
The Raptors couldn’t afford to re-sign Marion because they need to clear salary cap space for Hedo Turkoglu. They are close to an agreement with the Orlando Magic free agent.
Marion is a versatile player who can be used at either forward position. He spent just half a season in Toronto after being traded from Miami.
The trade is expected to include at least one other team to make the salaries work. Oklahoma City and Memphis are likely candidates because they are far enough under the salary cap to facilitate a deal.
The Mavericks have been busy during the offseason, agreeing to give point guard Jason Kidd a three-year contract for more than $25 million to remain in Dallas. They also are trying to reach a deal with Marcin Gortat, Orlando’s backup center.
Marion was a four-time All-Star in Phoenix but is facing a major pay cut from the $17.8 million he earned last season. He scored 12.9 points per game, well below his career average of 17.8.
Free agent McDyess chooses Spurs
SAN ANTONIO - The San Antonio Spurs landed free agent Antonio McDyess in another big offseason pickup for the aging NBA power that apparently isn’t ready to fade away just yet.
McDyess, who despite being 34 was among the most sought players on the market this summer, reached a deal with the Spurs and is expected to sign later this week, team spokesman Cliff Puchalski said.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Spurs had their full midlevel exception of about $5.85 million to offer the 6-9 forward. McDyess spent the last five seasons with Detroit, which also officially lost Rasheed Wallace on Wednesday when the veteran signed with Boston.
The Spurs reportedly sought Wallace, too, but got what they were looking for in McDyess: a big and proven frontcourt presence alongside Tim Duncan. The Spurs have won four NBA championships in the Duncan era, but their star centerpiece will be 33 come next year’s playoffs.
San Antonio also added a lesser-known big man Wednesday in Marcus Haislip, the former first-round pick who spent the past two years in Spain after fizzling in his first three NBA seasons. The 6-10 forward was picked 13th overall by Milwaukee in 2002 before going to Europe to work on his game.
The Spurs also brought back forward Malik Hairston, who played 15 games with the Spurs last season and spent much of the year in the NBA development league.
Rockets introduce Ariza
HOUSTON - Trevor Ariza liked what he saw in Houston enough to leave the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Rockets formally introduced the versatile forward after he signed a multiyear contract.
The 24-year-old free agent agreed to join the Rockets last Thursday, switching places with free agent Ron Artest, who left Houston to play for the Lakers.
“I think this was the best place for me,” Ariza said. “I think I have more of an opportunity here.”
The 6-8 Ariza averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds and shot 32 percent from 3-point range for Los Angeles in the regular season. He raised his stock during the Lakers’ championship run, averaging 11.3 points and 2.3 assists and shooting 47.6 percent from 3-point range in the playoffs.
The Rockets will need him as they rebuild for next season and beyond.
The futures of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming are in doubt as they recover from serious injuries, and general manager Daryl Morey struck out on an aggressive effort to sign Marcin Gortat of Orlando to fill in for Yao next season.
McGrady could be out until February after microfracture surgery on his left knee, and Yao could be out for the 2009-10 season with a broken left foot.
The NBA granted Houston a disabled player exception in Yao’s case and the Rockets used that money (about $5.7 million) to sign Ariza. The Rockets still have money in a midlevel exception (also about $5.7 million) to use on one or more free agents.
Artest signs with Lakers
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. - Ron Artest signed with the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, the team he wanted to join for years.
Artest, who played for the Houston Rockets last season, received a five-year deal worth about $33 million. Seated next to Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak, Artest professed that he has wanted to be a Laker for several years, but the timing was never right.
“This was a long time coming,” Artest said. “As I started to compete against the Lakers and against Kobe (Bryant), I had respect for him and I always wanted to be a teammate of his.”
Artest agreed to a deal last week, but couldn’t sign it until Wednesday. The Lakers also re-signed guard Shannon Brown.
Brown signed a two-year contract for $4.2 million. The Lakers are still trying to retain free agent forward Lamar Odom, who averaged 12.3 points and 9.1 rebounds during the playoffs.
Kupchak said he had no reservations about signing the colorful and enigmatic Artest, since he has stayed out of trouble for the last few years.
