The Washington Post is reporting that free agent guard Juan Dixon and the Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a three-year contract worth around $8 million, according to Dixon's agent, Calvin Andrews. Contracts can't be officially signed until the NBA's new collective bargaining agreement is ratified, which should be early next week.

Dixon, a Baltimore native, was selected with the 17th overall pick of the 2002 NBA draft by the Wizards after starring at the University of Maryland, where he led the Terrapins to the 2002 NCAA championship. Dixon finished his college career as Maryland's all-time leading scorer.

In three seasons with the Wizards Dixon played in 176 games, had 23 starts and averaged 8.2 points and 1.6 assists.

"Juan will always love Washington and the entire Washington area because he has so many great memories there," Andrews said. "But he's excited about going to Portland, where he'll have the opportunity to expand his game and be a part of a young and improving team."

Dixon's departure from Washington was all but ensured when the Wizards acquired point guard Chucky Atkins , shooting guard Caron Butler and shooting guard Antonio Daniels this offseason. Restricted free agent guard Steve Blake , another former Maryland star, also has had conversations with other teams but the Wizards have the option of matching any offer Blake receives.

Last year, the Wizards declined to pick up an option on Dixon worth $1.76 million and left him unprotected in the expansion draft, but Charlotte declined to take him.

According to agent Andy Miller, The Washington Wizards and free agent forward Michael Ruffin have agreed to contract terms. This will hopefully help shore up the frontline, now void of former Top-Pick Kwame Brown (a Laker to be).

Terms of the agreement were not available, and Ruffin cannot sign it until the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified. The 6-foot-8, 248-pound Ruffin averaged 1.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 16 minutes per game last season with the Wizards.

The Washington Wizards and free agent forward Michael Ruffin have agreed to contract terms, according to agent Andy Miller .

Terms of the agreement were not available, and Ruffin cannot sign it until the new collective bargaining agreement is ratified. The 6-foot-8, 248-pound Ruffin averaged 1.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 16 minutes per game last season with the Wizards.

Ruffin, who is entering his sixth NBA season, will shore up a Washington front court that will be without Kwame Brown , who will be sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for swingman Caron Butler and point guard Chucky Atkins once the CBA goes into effect.

Mark Madsen, a valuable reserve for the Minnesota Timberwolves for the past two seasons, has agreed to a five-year contract to remain with the team, Madsen said Saturday.

Madsen, a free agent, is a strong rebounder and defender coming off the bench. He had surgery in March to repair a ruptured ligament in his shooting wrist and was clearly missed by Minnesota, which failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 1996.

"I'm extremely excited to be back in Minnesota," the 6-9, 245-pound forward said.

Madsen was being wooed by other teams ? reportedly Washington and Utah ? but he felt staying in Minnesota was the best fit. He had contact with coach Dwane Casey and vice president for basketball operations Kevin McHale during the negotiation process, and he said a call from team owner Glen Taylor was especially important to him.

The Jazz continue to pursue free agent Mark Madsen, the Minnesota forward's agent said Thursday.

"There are some teams that have interest right know, and the Jazz are one of them," said agent Bob Meyers, who spoke with Jazz basketball operations senior vice president Kevin O'Connor during the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league at Salt Lake Community College.

The Jazz had not made a formal contract offer as of Thursday night, but they are expected to soon, perhaps today.

Meyers said "four or five teams" have expressed interest in Madsen, who is living in Utah during the offseason. He did not name them all, but did say Washington has "serious interest." Contrary to a Minnesota newspaper report, however, Madsen does not yet have a formal offer from the Wizards.

"A lot of people like what Mark brings ? his energy, and the intangibles," Meyers said of Madsen, who played his first three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers and the past two with the Timberwolves."

The Washington Wizards, looking to add depth in their frontcourt, have offered a contract to unrestricted free agent Mark Madsen, according to a report in Thursday's Minneapolis Star-Tribune that was confirmed by a league source.
   
The Wizards are believed to have made a two-year offer to Madsen in the form of what is known as a "$1 million exception." The true value of the exception is actually $1.6 million annually.
   
The Wizards are not alone in seeking the six-year veteran. Madsen will meet with Utah today. Additionally, Minnesota, which can offer him more than the Wizards, has said it is interested in keeping Madsen.
   
Madsen could reach his decision as soon as today, according to sources. However, he cannot sign a contract until the league lifts its moratorium on signing players and making trades, a date that has been pushed back indefinitely.

The Seattle Supersonics have lost another member of their team to free agency.

Guard Antonio Daniels as decided to the Washington Wizards for a five-year $30 million deal. He instantly becomes the replacement for Larry Hughes.

Tony Dutt, Daniels' Houston-based agent, said his client will join the Wizards as soon as the moratorium on free-agent signings is lifted, which could be as soon as Friday, though it appears that it will be extended.

"The more we talked with Washington, we just felt very comfortable," Dutt said. "When Larry Hughes went to Cleveland, it just became a perfect fit for Antonio."

Losing Daniels is another hard blow to the Sonics as they have already lost their head coach Nate McMillan to Portland and center Jerome James to New York this offseason.

RealGM's Christopher Reina is reporting that the Portland Trailblazers are not in the running for Antonio Daniels.

Portland GM John Nash indicated to Reina that the Sonics' free agent wants a five year deal and that the club is unwilling to give him a long term contract.

This now leaves the Wizards and Lakers as frontrunners for Daniels, with the Jazz and Spurs considered to be long shots.  

It is also plausible for Daniels to return to Seattle, but it appears to be highly unlikely and only if the market for the former member of the Grizzlies, Spurs and Blazers dries significantly.

Without a proven NBA point guard on their roster, the Lakers are the logical choice for Daniels, who would likely step in immediately and join their starting line-up.  The Lakers have also stalled with Daniels over the length of the contract, but appear to now be close on a deal.

If Daniels goes to the Wizards, he would fill the void as a combo guard created by Larry Hughes' departure.

Daniels' agent Tony Dutt could not be reached on Tuesday night for comment.

A source close to free agent guard Juan Dixon said that Dixon is planning to meet with the Portland Trail Blazers this week. Dixon also has been contacted by Miami and Indiana.

Dixon had 35 points in Game 4 of the Wizards first round series against the Bulls.

The Wizards still plan to meet with veteran free agent forward Donyell Marshall this weekend, according to a team source. The Wizards could offer Marshall their mid-level exception of around $5.1 million.

Marshall averaged 11.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last season with Chicago and Toronto.