Lucas, 47, has had two previous stints as an NBA head coach, most recently with the 76ers in 1996. He has a combined 136-171 record with the San Antonio Spurs (1992-94) and 76ers.
The Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland also reported in yesterday's editions that Lucas had been offered the job. The paper said Cavaliers legal counsel Dick Watson has begun talks with Lonnie Cooper, Lucas' agent. Cooper did not return a message left yesterday.
Cleveland's coaching search is approaching the two-month mark. The Cavs fired Randy Wittman on April 19 - only hours after the final game of his second straight dismal season with the team.
Hornets. Charlotte traded its second-round pick in the coming NBA draft to the Chicago Bulls for the rights to center Roberto Duenas. In return, the Bulls received the 45th pick overall. They drafted the 7-foot-3 Duenas, a center from Spain, in 1997.
Duenas played 44 games last season for F.C. Barcelona in the EuroLeague and the Association of Clubes de Baloncesto. He averaged 9.2 points and 7.2 rebounds.
Nailon to pay. Charlotte forward Lee Nailon was ordered to start paying a South Bend, Ind., woman $325 a week in child support.
St. Joseph Circuit Court Magistrate Harold Brueseke earlier had denied Nailon's request to set aside the default judgment entered against him when he failed to show up for a previous court appearance.
Nailon was a member of the 1994 Indiana high school basketball championship team at South Bend Clay, played at Texas Christian and was a second-round draft pick in 1999. He lives with his wife and children in Charlotte.
