Heat, Wolves finally get into the action

The Heat are reportedly ready to sign restricted free agent Elton Brand to a six-year, $82 million offer sheet.

Updated: July 16, 2003, 1:01 PM ET
By Chad Ford | NBA Insider
BOSTON -- Finally. After two grueling weeks of visits, rumors, defections and betrayals, free agents can consummate deals with NBA teams.

The Lakers got the ball rolling at 12:01 a.m. ET when they signed Gary Payton (2 years, $10.4 mil) and Karl Malone (2 years, $3.2 mil).

"We drank a toast and Mitch [Kupchak] went home to get some sleep for probably the first time in at least a week," Lakers spokesperson John Black said.

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Chad Ford | email

Senior Writer, NBA Insider
  • Senior NBA Writer for ESPN.com
  • ESPN Insider NBA Draft Analyst since 2002
  • Writes ESPN's NBA Draft Top 100 and Lottery Mock Draft

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