Life Without Ronny: The Lakers will be passing on matching the four-year, $17 million offer sheet Ronny Turiaf signed last week from the Golden State Warriors. Ronny's agent Mark Bartelstein told reporters that he has been given strong indications the Lakers will pass, mainly for luxury tax reasons. The Warriors front loaded Ronny's offer somewhat as a deterrent, but it also helps the Warriors gain cap space later. Ronny's deal is a three-year guaranteed deal, with a 4th player option year with a starting salary of $4.5 million – matching the offer would cost the Lakers $9 million as the Lakers are well into the luxury tax threshold now and the Lakers still have Sasha Vujacic to retain. Word is talks with the Lakers and Sasha are not going anywhere fast and his camp is growing concerned that the Lakers may not be ready to pony up – Sasha has fired his agent Bill Duffy and is in the process of returning to Rob Pelinka in hopes of jump starting real discussions. Lakers sources say the change in agents basically starts everything over, and that a deal is not out of the question, it simply has to be in the right context and situation. The Lakers have told several summer league prospects that because of their cap situation they may keep one or two players to fill in roster gaps. The Lakers continue to be one the most talked about destination for Ron Artest, who is expected to be traded before the opening of NBA training camps in October. Lakers sources continue to say there is interest, but not at the rumored expense of Lamar Odom.

The Drama In Utah: Deron Williams signed a three-year contract extension with the Utah Jazz yesterday and will address the media today to discuss his decision. The deal has a fourth "player option" year, and insures Deron has the flexibility he coveted. For weeks we have been debunking the rampant speculation that Carlos Boozer would be traded from Utah at any point, let alone this summer, however this week in Vegas a source very close to Deron Williams explained why Deron's camp pushed so hard for a shorter term deal. Apparently Deron is not sold that Carlos is long term for the Jazz, and Deron does not want to be tied to the franchise if Boozer indeed bolts next summer. Boozer does hold a player termination option for next July, and has kept no secret that his goals are about winning (and getting paid). The Jazz can in every situation offer far more money than any other suitor, and while Boozer's current deal is nice, it is not a maximum deal, something Boozer is clearly positioning himself for. At the end of the day it seems highly unlikely that Boozer is gone from Utah in any capacity, simply because the Jazz can and will offer more dollars. The winning part of the equation is coming along nicely, and being in Utah has not hurt Carlos' bid to be an All-Star. It is easy to say Carlos is an east coast guy, and he owns a home in Miami, but he has proven he goes where the money is and that is Utah. Don't be surprised if every second question in today's press conference is about Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur, it seems there is real concern on Deron's part. Still not sold there is any reason to believe Carlos bolts, but it will be an interesting game of chicken until the trade deadline, especially if the Jazz struggle early.

The Magic and Memphis : The Orlando Magic are still looking at options to improve the roster and the one question filling the inbox these days is, how serious is the talk of a Memphis Grizzlies point guard coming to Orlando? First, Kyle Lowry is not going anywhere, cross him off your list – Kyle, Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick have become very close, so close they are rooming with each other in Vegas. We joked with them calling them "The Three Amigos" and they liked that title. Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace and Memphis head coach Marc Iavaroni both said they are looking forward to a spirited training camp with lots of competition at the guard spots, hinting that no one is guaranteed a starters role yet. Mike Conley Jr and Kyle Lowry will be the guards of the future for the Grizz for the foreseeable future. Enter Javaris Crittenton; he is clearly the odd man out, and the target of the Magic's affections. The Grizzlies are in cost cutting mode, they will not be taking on any serious salary in any deal. The Magic are rumored to have offered Keith Bogan's to the Grizz who were lukewarm on the idea, instead suggesting that J.J. Redick and a first round pick would be the starting point, according to Grizzlies sources. The logic behind the situation is that Redick is approaching free agency and will likely go where he can get the best situation to play and be paid, and that's not likely Memphis, so the first round pick is really what the Grizz plan to "keep." The appeal of Redick from a fan point of view and that chance that he is truly a star is tempting, so it's two assets for one, and that's where the talks seem to be stalled. The Magic are in a tough spot with the salary cap, and the only way they can add anything of substance is through the draft, either in drafting a player or trading the pick. Trading two assets for the Magic is a tough sell, especially for an unproven young guy in Crittenton. There is legitimate interest, and confirmed discussions, although it seems for now, unless the Grizz come off their stance, the price tag for Javaris Crittenton may be too rich for Orlando's blood.

No Posey, No Problem : The Boston Celtics had their chance to match the New Orleans Hornets' offer to James Posey, HOOPSWORLD's Bill Ingram was on the phone with Posey's agent Mark Bartelstein when the deal went down, bouncing from one team to the other trying to maximize the situation. James wanted to return to Boston, but the Celtics would not go the distance, and James opted for the upside of New Orleans and the long-term security of their offer. Boston is now left with filling a huge void of leadership and defense on the roster. Celtic's president Danny Ainge told reporters that he did not see the team trying to fill the gap with one player, hinting that they would "spread" the money around a little bit. The Celtics inked Patrick O'Bryant to a deal last week and are in talks with Matt Barnes, Bostjan Nachbar, Maurice Evans, and Bonzi Wells.