The Bulls ultimately won out, but Charley Walters reports that the Wolves attempted to execute a sign-and-trade deal for Ben Wallace.

No word on which pieces Minnesota were prepared to pass to the Pistons for the Defensive Player of the Year.

Reportedly, the Wolves are targeting Lorenzen Wright or Reggie Evans.  At this point, the market for big men remains a little rich for the Wolves, so they hope that it cools and they are able to sign either Wright or Evans.

The Phoenix Suns today signed unrestricted free-agent point guard Marcus Banks to a multi-year contract. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A three-year NBA veteran, Banks blossomed last season following a midseason trade to Minnesota. In 40 games with the Timberwolves, the 6-2, 200-pound playmaker averaged 12.0 points and 4.7 assists in 30.7 minutes per game, while starting the team?s final 28. He was acquired from the Boston Celtics in a seven-player trade on Jan. 26, 2006.

?We are really excited to bring Marcus Banks and his defensive abilities and quickness to our club,? Suns Head Coach and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations/General Manager Mike D?Antoni said.  ?We think he?ll be a big part of our success next season.?

Ronald Dupree was traded to Minnesota by the Pistons shortly before the 2005-2006 season, but on Monday he is back in Detroit after signing a two-year deal with the club.

The 6-foot-7 forward scored 6.2 points in 19 minutes per game as a rookie with Chicago in the 2003-04 season after nearly making Detroit's team as an undrafted free agent.

With the Lakers, Hawks and Wolves going in different directions with their cap room, it is looking like Marcus Banks' best option might be Cleveland, a team that remains interested in the guard.

``We're not talking much about it right now; the Cavs have some other priorities to deal with,'' Banks' agent, Michael Higgins, said Thursday. ``Marcus is interested in the Cavs; he likes Mike (Brown).''

Mike James has finally got the security he has been craving for, signing a four year, $23 million deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves Thursday.

James was being chased by multiple teams, including Dallas and Houston, before coming to terms with the Wolves.

The clinching call may have come Tuesday morning, when former MVP Kevin Garnett called just before leaving for a trip to China.

"It just made me feel good that someone with high standards and he's so respected in this game," James said. "And for him to call little old Mike James, it made me feel good. It made me feel that much more appreciated."

In a radio interview from Las Vegas, interim GM of the Blazers  Kevin Pritchard was asked about the rumors that Darius Miles is on his way to Minnesota.

"I don't like commenting on trade rumors, but I'll say I spoke with Kevin McHale recently and a trade involving Miles heading to Minnesota was never brought up in our conversation."

After a long courtship with a handful of teams, point guard Mike James has decided that Minnesota is the place for him, agreeing to sign a four-year contract worth an estimated $25 million. Other teams in the hunt for James were the Houston Rockets and the Dallas Mavericks.

James will now team with rookie Randy Foye and veteran Ricky Davis to form a formidable backcourt to help superstar Kevin Garnett.

Mike James, who has been deciding between the Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves is expected to be making his decision Tuesday.

James, the 31 year old point guard who had a breakout year averaging 20.3 points-per-game and 5.8 assists-per-game, recently met with the Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks' coach Avery Johnson.

"The biggest 'wow' in this whole situation has been Avery Johnson," James says. "I respect him as a coach, but we have a relationship beyond the court. We've been friends for some years now. I've always respected Avery, even as a player when he had that broke jump shot. But he has a ring and he knows what it takes to win. He's been the person who has wowed me the most through this process."

James has been looking to sign with a title contender throughout the free agency process.

Minnesota GM Jim Stack indicated that the club will not make any moves in free agency until Mike James decides which team he wants to sign with.

The Wolves, Rockets and Mavericks are the teams jockeying for the guard.