Johnny Ludden of the San Antonio Express News reports that Bruce Bowen has officially signed with the Spurs.  The contract will pay him about $716,000 this year and has a player's option that will pay $825,000 next year, though he will probably opt out to be paid with San Antonio's midlevel exception.  His signing and the expected signing of Danny Ferry means that there is likely no place on the Spurs roster for Sean Elliott.

Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News writes of the unfortunate predicament of the Heat and Mavs, who play in American Airlines Arena and American Airlines Center, respectively.  Despite the potential confusion in names, the two arenas are otherwise completely different in style.

The Chicago Daily Southtown is reporting that the Bulls are still an option for Illinios-native Tim Hardaway, with Dallas and Miami also possibilites.  While his annual basketball camp at the University of Illinois-Chicago came to a close last week, Hardaway chose to remain in the area this week.  However, it was Hardaway's agent Henry Thomas who suggested that this move had no meaning.  "I wouldn't say that any team has the inside track at this point," Thomas said. "There still are a number of variables involved."

Thomas said a decision by Hardaway on where he will be playing the upcoming season could be announced as early as today.  Hardaway could either be a starter for the Bulls, who seem to be divided on whether or not to acquire the guard, or take a reduced role off the bench for Miami or Dallas.

Stephen F. Holder of the Miami Herald reports: Agent Arn Tellem -- who represents free agents Felipe L?pez, Isaiah Rider and Kendall Gill -- confirmed over the weekend he has spoken to the Heat about his available clients.

However, coach Pat Riley sounded disinterested in Rider in recent comments, and Gill is believed to be strongly opposed to Riley's strenuous practices.

If the Heat passes on Rider and Gill isn't interested, L?pez might be.

In his weekly review of the NBA, the Boston Globe's Peter May looks at Anthony Mason's summer.  "We're almost a month into the free agency courtship and Anthony Mason has no date and no prospects. He is the runaway leader for the unenviable title of Poster Boy in this first summer of the luxury tax."  May also looks at the very limited two-year window the current Spurs team has to succeed in, and the play of Portland rookie Zach Randolph.

In his Sunday column, Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel writes about many topics from around the league, including: The Pacific Division, the Pistons, Knicks, and many other subjects from around the league.

Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald reports: LaPhonso Ellis is known as an unfailing optimist, and that was evident as the new Heat forward spoke by phone Saturday after taking a physical and signing a three-year contract.

Ellis, whose contract is believed to start at $3 million and total about $10 million, spoke excitedly about playing with Alonzo Mourning, Brian Grant and Anthony Mason, and then -- when presented with the strong possibility Mason won't return -- spoke excitedly about the opportunity to fill Mason's void with his own assorted skills.

Ellis choose Miami over New York, Cleveland, Minnesota, and Dallas.

Miami free-agent forward Bruce Bowen has delayed committing to the Spurs while the Heat explore sign-and-trade options.

"Bruce is still seriously considering San Antonio," said Bowen's agent Steve Kauffman. "Even if something else develops, I'm not sure it will be good enough to keep him from going to San Antonio."

The Spurs are limited to paying Bowen the league minimum of about $700,000. Miami can give him a starting salary of about $2.5 million in a sign-and-trade deal.

Ethan J. Skolnick of the Miami Herald reports: After agreeing to a three-year contract with former Timberwolves forward LaPhonso Ellis -- believed to start at $3 million and total about $10 million -- the Heat is still trying to get something back for point guard Tim Hardaway, forward Anthony Mason and even swingman Bruce Bowen.

Hardaway has attracted interest from Chicago -- which can move center/forward Brad Miller -- Dallas and Portland. Miami has spoken to many teams, including Cleveland, about Mason. Bowen has yet to accept the Spurs' offer of the veteran minimum salary, and Portland reportedly has some interest in him.

Yet Ellis' signing, expected to be announced early next week, puts the Heat at close to $49 million for next season with eight veterans under contract. That gets Miami close to the anticipated luxury tax figure of $54 million, which coach Pat Riley has said the team would exceed only for the right player. So it can't take much back in trades.

Miami also has signed point guard Mike James, forward Malik Allen, and is close to signing 2000 second-round pick Ernest Brown. Miami picked center Ken Johnson in the 2001 second-round.