Arn Tellem

Isaiah Rider, the Minnesota Timberwolves' top draft choice, was close to reaching a contract agreement yesterday, team officials said. A source within the organization said Rider might join the team in time for today's practice. The Star Tribune of Minneapolis, quoting an unnamed source, reported yesterday that Rider had made airplane reservations to fly to Minnesota. "We're getting very close, and I'm hoping we can get him signed in the next few days," team president Bob Stein said.

Tyreke Evans ended weeks of speculation by signing with uber-agent Arn Tellem this weekend in Los Angeles. Tellem, who represents Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and is originally from Lower Merion, has also corralled Episcopal Academy's Gerald Henderson and Wayne Ellington. Evans, the 6-5 Memphis shooting guard from American Christian, is projected to be a lottery pick, possibly among the top five selected in the NBA draft, which is set for Thursday, June 25. "We're very happy with every decision that we've made, and we've made it with Tyreke's best interest," said Julius "Doc" Evans, one of Tyreke's older brothers.

It is time for 76ers coach Larry Brown to begin determining which player he really thinks is worth the No. 2 pick in the NBA's June 25 draft. First up is 6-9 1/2 Tim Thomas, who declared for the draft after one year at Villanova. Thomas will interview with the Sixers today and work out at the HealthPlex in Springfield (Delco). "Tim would love to be in Philly," said Arn Tellem, Thomas's agent. "He's probably the most talented player in the draft, has the greatest upside. " Thomas has been working out with Ted Fiore, the former St. Peter's coach, and Dave Hopla, a shooting instructor.

Mike Mussina has cut his list to three teams and hopes to decide by Friday where he will pitch next season. Mussina, the top pitcher on the free-agent market, has been highly sought. His agent, Arn Tellem, disclosed the narrowing of the field yesterday but did not specify which teams were still under consideration. The New York Yankees have made signing Mussina their top priority of the offseason. The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians also have sought Mussina, and the Baltimore Orioles have tried to re-sign Mussina, the ace of their staff.

The Cleveland Indians have rescinded their offer to Albert Belle, the Plain Dealer reported yesterday. General manager John Hart told Belle's agent, Arn Tellem, on Saturday that he was withdrawing the deal, said to be worth $39 million to $40 million over five years. According to the paper, Florida made the free-agent outfielder a $38 million, four-year offer on Friday. Marlins general manager Dave Dombrowski denied making an offer. In another matter, Belle canceled an autograph session at a shopping mall in Euclid, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, because of a threatening phone call made to mall security officials, his marketing agent said.

Arn Tellem, native of Philadelphia, graduate of Haverford College, and high-powered sports agent, represents three Philly-bred players in tonight's NBA draft: Tyreke Evans, Gerald Henderson, and Wayne Ellington. It's also possible that one of Tellem's guys, either Henderson or Ellington, could be the draft choice of the 76ers, who hold the 17th selection. Memphis' Evans, a former star guard at American Christian Academy, is expected to be gone by the time the Sixers pick. "I know the Sixers have Gerald and Wayne high on their list," Tellem said.

Scottie Reynolds spent roughly 2 months living with agent Arn Tellem and Tellem's family, preparing for the NBA draft and summer league competition. "He's like my fourth son," Tellem said last night. "He's become part of our family. " And, as in any family, it's time for the person even temporarily in charge to help that "son" find a job. Tellem confirmed that he's getting closer to that goal after Reynolds - fighting back from a slight Achilles' tendon problem - played three games for the Phoenix Suns in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Mike Mussina's agent and the New York Yankees spent yesterday trying to finalize a contract that would bring the top pitcher on the free-agent market to the World Series champions. Mussina cut his list to three teams earlier in the week, including the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. The Baltimore Orioles, his former team, were not in contention. His agent, Arn Tellem, focused on the Yankees, trying to work out issues that separated them. It was too early to tell if the issues would become stumbling blocks or were the normal probing and give-and-take that go on during negotiations.

Making a last-ditch effort to retain Carlos Boozer, the Cleveland Cavaliers have offered him a one-year contract worth about $5 million, according to the Associated Press. Boozer's reputation has taken a beating over the last week since he stunned Cleveland by agreeing to a $68 million offer from the Utah Jazz. Days earlier, the Cavs declined to exercise a $695,000 option on his contract - making him a restricted free agent - after the power forward apparently promised to accept a six-year, $41 million deal to remain in Cleveland.

The Cleveland Indians have made a rich offer to free-agent slugger Albert Belle. If they want to keep him, it looks like they will have to make an even richer one. "We're in the game. I guess that's the safest way to put it," Cleveland general manager John Hart said. "We're not close, but I think we've sent the right message to Albert that we want him. " The Indians have reportedly offered Belle $8.5 million a year for four or five years, whichever the slugger prefers. That's more than the five-year, $38 million offer that Belle rejected in spring training.

Scottie Reynolds spent roughly 2 months living with agent Arn Tellem and Tellem's family, preparing for the NBA draft and summer league competition. "He's like my fourth son," Tellem said last night. "He's become part of our family. " And, as in any family, it's time for the person even temporarily in charge to help that "son" find a job. Tellem confirmed that he's getting closer to that goal after Reynolds - fighting back from a slight Achilles' tendon problem - played three games for the Phoenix Suns in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Arn Tellem, native of Philadelphia, graduate of Haverford College, and high-powered sports agent, represents three Philly-bred players in tonight's NBA draft: Tyreke Evans, Gerald Henderson, and Wayne Ellington. It's also possible that one of Tellem's guys, either Henderson or Ellington, could be the draft choice of the 76ers, who hold the 17th selection. Memphis' Evans, a former star guard at American Christian Academy, is expected to be gone by the time the Sixers pick. "I know the Sixers have Gerald and Wayne high on their list," Tellem said.

Tyreke Evans ended weeks of speculation by signing with uber-agent Arn Tellem this weekend in Los Angeles. Tellem, who represents Phillies second baseman Chase Utley and is originally from Lower Merion, has also corralled Episcopal Academy's Gerald Henderson and Wayne Ellington. Evans, the 6-5 Memphis shooting guard from American Christian, is projected to be a lottery pick, possibly among the top five selected in the NBA draft, which is set for Thursday, June 25. "We're very happy with every decision that we've made, and we've made it with Tyreke's best interest," said Julius "Doc" Evans, one of Tyreke's older brothers.

Making a last-ditch effort to retain Carlos Boozer, the Cleveland Cavaliers have offered him a one-year contract worth about $5 million, according to the Associated Press. Boozer's reputation has taken a beating over the last week since he stunned Cleveland by agreeing to a $68 million offer from the Utah Jazz. Days earlier, the Cavs declined to exercise a $695,000 option on his contract - making him a restricted free agent - after the power forward apparently promised to accept a six-year, $41 million deal to remain in Cleveland.

Jason Giambi plans to file for free agency, despite the Oakland Athletics' willingness to drop their opposition to a no-trade clause. "Unless they make some preemptive offer, he's going to file," the infielder's agent, Arn Tellem, said yesterday. The A's and Giambi had reportedly agreed on a six-year, $91 million contract during spring training, but talks stalled because of Giambi's insistence on a no-trade clause. The deal was shelved, but the A's began to budge on their opposition to the no-trade clause in recent weeks.

Mike Mussina's agent and the New York Yankees spent yesterday trying to finalize a contract that would bring the top pitcher on the free-agent market to the World Series champions. Mussina cut his list to three teams earlier in the week, including the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox. The Baltimore Orioles, his former team, were not in contention. His agent, Arn Tellem, focused on the Yankees, trying to work out issues that separated them. It was too early to tell if the issues would become stumbling blocks or were the normal probing and give-and-take that go on during negotiations.

Mike Mussina has cut his list to three teams and hopes to decide by Friday where he will pitch next season. Mussina, the top pitcher on the free-agent market, has been highly sought. His agent, Arn Tellem, disclosed the narrowing of the field yesterday but did not specify which teams were still under consideration. The New York Yankees have made signing Mussina their top priority of the offseason. The Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians also have sought Mussina, and the Baltimore Orioles have tried to re-sign Mussina, the ace of their staff.

It is time for 76ers coach Larry Brown to begin determining which player he really thinks is worth the No. 2 pick in the NBA's June 25 draft. First up is 6-9 1/2 Tim Thomas, who declared for the draft after one year at Villanova. Thomas will interview with the Sixers today and work out at the HealthPlex in Springfield (Delco). "Tim would love to be in Philly," said Arn Tellem, Thomas's agent. "He's probably the most talented player in the draft, has the greatest upside. " Thomas has been working out with Ted Fiore, the former St. Peter's coach, and Dave Hopla, a shooting instructor.

The Cleveland Indians have rescinded their offer to Albert Belle, the Plain Dealer reported yesterday. General manager John Hart told Belle's agent, Arn Tellem, on Saturday that he was withdrawing the deal, said to be worth $39 million to $40 million over five years. According to the paper, Florida made the free-agent outfielder a $38 million, four-year offer on Friday. Marlins general manager Dave Dombrowski denied making an offer. In another matter, Belle canceled an autograph session at a shopping mall in Euclid, Ohio, a Cleveland suburb, because of a threatening phone call made to mall security officials, his marketing agent said.

The Cleveland Indians have made a rich offer to free-agent slugger Albert Belle. If they want to keep him, it looks like they will have to make an even richer one. "We're in the game. I guess that's the safest way to put it," Cleveland general manager John Hart said. "We're not close, but I think we've sent the right message to Albert that we want him. " The Indians have reportedly offered Belle $8.5 million a year for four or five years, whichever the slugger prefers. That's more than the five-year, $38 million offer that Belle rejected in spring training.