Western Conference

San Antonio

Del Negro is dumped; Jackson gets his hot

Despite protests from co-captains David Robinson and Avery Johnson, coach and G.M. Gregg Popovich dumped shooting guard Vinny Del Negro for the abbreviated season. Popovich told Del Negro in the summer of 1997 that he wasn't interested in having him back when the guard's contract ended with the 1997-98 campaign. ... Jaren Jackson, a journeyman who made the minimum playing for the Spurs last season, inherits the starting role at shooting guard despite a career field-goal shooting mark of 39.5 percent. Steve Kerr, acquired from Chicago for Chuck Person, and Mario Elie, signed as a free agent, will be quick off the bench in this spot should Jackson falter. Elie, 35, possesses the savvy and toughness sorely needed by the team. ... Derrick Dial, the shooting guard from Eastern Michigan who was the club's second-round draft pick last summer, will play in Greece this year. The club will retain his rights. ... Jerome Kersey was signed to back up Tim Duncan at power forward. ... Johnson looked smooth as the mandatory workouts began. So far, a previous hip injury shows no signs of bothering the 32-year-old floor leader. --Kevin O'Keeffe

Seattle

Versatility is the name of the game for Westphal

The team added Billy Owens to the mix, giving coach Paul Westphal another athletic 6-9 forward who can rebound, score and handle the ball. No one, especially the front office, figured the Sonics would have their roster take shape just two days into training camp. But 12 of the 20 bodies at the team's training facility are quality NBA players. They also fall under the same category of players who can perform at two or more positions. Owens has been cast as a point forward and should see some time handling the ball in a motion offense when Gary Payton sits. ... After earlier consummating a trade that sent center Jim McIlvaine to New Jersey, the Sonics handed Olden Polynice the power to reign over the middle. ... The Sonics were not concerned about the loss of point guard Greg Anthony to Portland. They have three young point-guard prospects in camp, including Drew Barry and Reggie Geary, who played behind Avery Johnson for San Antonio last year. However, former CBA player Moochie Norris is impressing the coaching staff the most. At 6-1, Norris is a dedicated passer who uses his quickness to break down defenses. --Ronald Tillery

Utah

Malone deal isn't done yet, but it will be by July

Contrary to numerous reports last week, Karl Malone does not have a new, four-year contract extension with the Jazz. He can't get one right now and come close to receiving the average yearly income of $16.5 million he's requesting. He has to become a free agent at the end of this season in order to get his huge payday. But although there is no deal on paper between Malone and Jazz owner Larry Miller, there will be. Barring something unforeseen, Malone will sign a four-year, $67 million contract sometime after July 1 to remain in Utah until he's 40. ... The Jazz held two-a-day workouts last Thursday, the first day they could practice with coaches. Most of the players had been working out together for months in pickup games. Jeff Hornacek says the team was in midseason form by the second practice on Thursday. ... Greg Ostertag is in the best shape ever going into training camp. The Jazz are hoping for a big improvement over the 4.9 points and 5.9 rebounds Ostertag gave the team last season. Greg Foster, meanwhile, has a fractured left ankle and likely will miss at least the first week or two of the regular season. --Loren Jorgensen